IRCC has launched important Express Entry changes for 2026, including a higher work experience threshold and new category‑based draws targeting specific occupations and skills. For
Express Entry 2026: New Categories, 1‑Year Experience Rule, and What It Means for You
IRCC has launched important Express Entry changes for 2026, including a higher work experience threshold and new category‑based draws targeting specific occupations and skills. For many candidates in healthcare, research, management, transport, and the military, this is good news and may create more tailored opportunities to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
New 1‑Year Work Experience Requirement
One of the key changes is that the minimum work experience required for category‑based draws has increased from 6 months to 12 months in an eligible occupation within the last 3 years. This applies to the new 2026 categories and to renewed categories such as healthcare and social services, education, STEM, and trades.
For candidates, this shift has two main implications:
- IRCC is clearly prioritizing applicants with more substantial, continuous experience who are more likely to succeed in their professions in Canada.
- Candidates close to the 12‑month mark should plan their timelines strategically, ensuring that job duties align with the correct NOC and that reference letters and documentation are ready once they hit one full year of experience.
At NewSteps Immigration, we review your NOC, duties, and employment history to make sure your work experience meets these new standards before you enter or update your Express Entry profile.
New Express Entry Categories for 2026
IRCC is expanding category‑based selection to align Express Entry more closely with Canada’s labour market priorities. The current list of categories now includes both renewed and new groups:
Existing/renewed categories:
- French‑language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
New and newly emphasized categories for 2026:
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits with an eligible job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces
- Transport occupations, re‑emphasized with broader roles such as pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors.
This broader structure means that if you fall into any of these priority categories, IRCC may run targeted draws where you compete only with others in the same category, rather than the entire Express Entry pool.
Recent Express Entry Draw Trends (Early 2026)
The first weeks of 2026 show how IRCC is operationalizing these priorities through different types of draws.
Recent examples include:
- A large French‑language proficiency draw on February 6, 2026, inviting 8,500 candidates with a CRS cut‑off of 400.
- A Canadian Experience Class draw on January 21, 2026, issuing 6,000 invitations with a cut‑off of 509.
- Multiple Provincial Nominee Program draws in early February with high CRS cut‑offs (749 and 789) for Express Entry candidates who already had a provincial nomination.
These numbers underline key trends: French‑speaking candidates benefit from relatively lower CRS cut‑offs, Canadian work experience continues to be rewarded through CEC draws, and PNP remains a strong strategy for those willing to pursue a provincial route.
Focus on French‑Language and Health‑Related Draws
French‑language proficiency continues to be one of the strongest levers in Express Entry. Large category‑based draws for French speakers, combined with additional CRS points for strong French, can significantly improve your chances even if your score is below recent general draw cut‑offs.
Similarly, healthcare and social services occupations remain a priority as Canada responds to staffing needs in hospitals, clinics, and community services. The addition of a dedicated physicians category with Canadian work experience underscores the importance of already‑integrated healthcare professionals.
Health‑related draws, together with the new 12‑month experience requirement, mean that doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and social service workers with solid work histories are well‑positioned for upcoming rounds.
Limited PNP Notes Within Express Entry Strategy
While this article focuses on Express Entry, it is important to recognize the ongoing role of Provincial Nominee Programs. Several provinces use Express Entry‑aligned streams to nominate candidates whose skills match local labour needs, adding 600 CRS points and virtually guaranteeing an ITA in PNP‑specific draws.
For some clients, the best strategy in 2026 may be a combined approach:
- Maintain or improve your Express Entry profile under the new categories and experience rules, and
- Proactively target provincial programs that suit your occupation, language, and settlement plans.
How NewSteps Immigration Can Help
These 2026 Express Entry changes create new opportunities, but they also introduce more complexity in how candidates are selected. At NewSteps Immigration, we support you by:
- Verifying your NOC and confirming whether you fit into any of the new or renewed categories.
- Assessing your work experience against the new 12‑month rule and advising on timing.
- Helping you plan for French‑language improvement, healthcare eligibility, or PNP options if they can strengthen your overall strategy.
If you are already in the Express Entry pool or planning to enter soon, contact us for a detailed assessment so we can align your profile with the latest 2026 rules and upcoming category‑based draws.