In a keynote address to the Canadian Club of Toronto on February 18, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab laid out the government’s refreshed Express Entry roadmap for 2026. The programme – Canada’s main economic immigration gateway – will now conduct invitation rounds that explicitly target six priority groups: 1) physicians with Canadian work experience, 2) researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, 3) transport-sector professionals (including pilots and aircraft mechanics), 4) STEM specialists, 5) trades workers and 6) francophone candidates across all categories.
The shift marks the first time Ottawa has hard-wired Canadian work experience into multiple categories, doubling the minimum in-Canada experience requirement from six months to one year. Officials say the change will narrow the invitation pool to candidates most likely to integrate quickly, while still recognising acute shortages in aviation, advanced manufacturing and public health. Francophone immigration – a long-standing federal goal – is also being baked directly into the yearly draw schedule with more French-language rounds planned.
For applicants who need help sorting out the underlying paperwork—whether that’s renewing a work permit, obtaining travel documents, or gathering proof of status—VisaHQ offers a streamlined, online service that can handle much of the administrative heavy lifting. Its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides clear checklists, live support and door-to-door document handling, giving both employers and candidates extra confidence as they position themselves for the new Express Entry categories.
![Canada Unveils 2026 Express Entry Priority Categories Aimed at Top-Skill Talent]()
For employers, the policy offers a clearer line-of-sight to permanent residency for foreign staff already on temporary work permits. HR teams should audit current talent pipelines and encourage eligible employees to update Express Entry profiles, as IRCC confirmed category-based rounds will account for “well over half” of invitations in 2026. Immigration advisers note that CRS scores within targeted categories are expected to fall, potentially accelerating time-to-PR for in-demand workers.
Practically, multinational companies should prepare for faster processing of LMIA-exempt work-permit holders whose occupations match the new categories. At the same time, internal mobility planners must watch for tighter competition in the general pool, as overall permanent-resident admissions are being held steady to manage housing and service pressures.
The announcement underscores Canada’s balancing act: tempering total immigration growth while still courting the world’s most sought-after professionals. Businesses that align recruitment strategies with the new categories stand to gain a competitive advantage in securing long-term talent.
The shift marks the first time Ottawa has hard-wired Canadian work experience into multiple categories, doubling the minimum in-Canada experience requirement from six months to one year. Officials say the change will narrow the invitation pool to candidates most likely to integrate quickly, while still recognising acute shortages in aviation, advanced manufacturing and public health. Francophone immigration – a long-standing federal goal – is also being baked directly into the yearly draw schedule with more French-language rounds planned.
For applicants who need help sorting out the underlying paperwork—whether that’s renewing a work permit, obtaining travel documents, or gathering proof of status—VisaHQ offers a streamlined, online service that can handle much of the administrative heavy lifting. Its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides clear checklists, live support and door-to-door document handling, giving both employers and candidates extra confidence as they position themselves for the new Express Entry categories.
For employers, the policy offers a clearer line-of-sight to permanent residency for foreign staff already on temporary work permits. HR teams should audit current talent pipelines and encourage eligible employees to update Express Entry profiles, as IRCC confirmed category-based rounds will account for “well over half” of invitations in 2026. Immigration advisers note that CRS scores within targeted categories are expected to fall, potentially accelerating time-to-PR for in-demand workers.
Practically, multinational companies should prepare for faster processing of LMIA-exempt work-permit holders whose occupations match the new categories. At the same time, internal mobility planners must watch for tighter competition in the general pool, as overall permanent-resident admissions are being held steady to manage housing and service pressures.
The announcement underscores Canada’s balancing act: tempering total immigration growth while still courting the world’s most sought-after professionals. Businesses that align recruitment strategies with the new categories stand to gain a competitive advantage in securing long-term talent.
