During a chamber-of-commerce briefing on February 24, 2026, IRCC unveiled the occupational categories that will steer Express Entry invitations in the 2026 calendar year. The list follows months of public consultations and continues the theme of targeted draws. New for 2026 are dedicated health-care support, social-services and advanced-manufacturing categories, complementing existing priorities such as STEM, trades and Francophone proficiency.
Category-based selection—introduced in 2023—allows IRCC to invite candidates with specific skills even if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is below the general cut-off. The department argues that the model helps provinces address acute labour shortages while preserving national control over overall numbers.
Employers in home-care, addiction services and precision manufacturing will welcome the added streams, which should accelerate recruitment of internationally trained workers. However, immigration lawyers caution that competition within categories will intensify; strong language scores and validated job offers will remain crucial differentiators.
![Ottawa Releases New Express Entry Occupation Categories for 2026 Invitations]()
For both employers and prospective immigrants who need support compiling the right documentation or verifying eligibility under these evolving streams, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The company’s online platform and in-house specialists offer step-by-step visa and permit guidance for Canada, including document checklists, application reviews and courier management; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The 2026 plan also maintains a separate Francophone mobility target, meaning French-speaking candidates continue to enjoy bonus points and dedicated draws. IRCC indicated that it will publish detailed National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and draw schedules in Q2 2026, giving employers a short window to line up Labour-Market Benefit Plans or provincial endorsements.
Businesses are advised to map their vacancy lists against the new categories now and ensure HR databases capture NOC codes correctly—mistakes in job-title mapping are a common reason for delayed invitations and refused work-permit applications.
Category-based selection—introduced in 2023—allows IRCC to invite candidates with specific skills even if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is below the general cut-off. The department argues that the model helps provinces address acute labour shortages while preserving national control over overall numbers.
Employers in home-care, addiction services and precision manufacturing will welcome the added streams, which should accelerate recruitment of internationally trained workers. However, immigration lawyers caution that competition within categories will intensify; strong language scores and validated job offers will remain crucial differentiators.
For both employers and prospective immigrants who need support compiling the right documentation or verifying eligibility under these evolving streams, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The company’s online platform and in-house specialists offer step-by-step visa and permit guidance for Canada, including document checklists, application reviews and courier management; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The 2026 plan also maintains a separate Francophone mobility target, meaning French-speaking candidates continue to enjoy bonus points and dedicated draws. IRCC indicated that it will publish detailed National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and draw schedules in Q2 2026, giving employers a short window to line up Labour-Market Benefit Plans or provincial endorsements.
Businesses are advised to map their vacancy lists against the new categories now and ensure HR databases capture NOC codes correctly—mistakes in job-title mapping are a common reason for delayed invitations and refused work-permit applications.
