Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its official Express Entry “priority categories” list for 2026, adding several new targeted categories to attract top
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its official Express Entry “priority categories” list for 2026, adding several new targeted categories to attract top talent already contributing to Canada’s economy. These new categories sit alongside existing category‑based draws for French speakers, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport, and can mean more focused draws and lower CRS cut‑offs for eligible candidates.
What Are the New Express Entry Priority Categories for 2026?
IRCC’s 2026 Express Entry framework now includes five newly emphasized or added occupational groupings, all tied to critical labour and strategic needs.
1. Foreign‑Trained Medical Doctors with Canadian Work Experience
Canada has created a dedicated Express Entry category for foreign‑trained medical doctors who already have recent Canadian work experience. The first category‑based round for this group is expected very soon, signalling a strong push to keep internationally trained physicians in Canada permanently.
Key points:
- You must be a foreign‑trained medical doctor with eligible Canadian work experience in the last few years.
- This category is designed to reduce physician shortages and improve access to care, so hospital and clinic experience is especially valuable.
2. Researchers with Canadian Work Experience
Researchers who have already built careers in Canada are now a clearly defined priority category. IRCC is signalling that advanced research skills and innovation are central to the long‑term immigration strategy.
You may benefit if you:
- Work in research roles at Canadian universities, hospitals, labs or private R&D organizations.
- Have Canadian work experience that matches eligible NOC codes for research or innovation‑focused occupations.
3. Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
Senior managers with recent Canadian work experience are also part of the new priority categories. This includes high‑level leadership roles responsible for strategy, operations and growth.
This may include:
- Senior management positions in finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and other key sectors.
- Candidates who can demonstrate leadership, staff management and responsibility for major budgets or business lines.
4. Transport Occupations (Pilots, Aircraft Mechanics & Inspectors)
Transport occupations have returned as a refreshed category, with a specific focus on aviation: pilots, aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors. This follows a period when the transport category was removed and is now re‑introduced to stabilize supply chains and aviation capacity.
Eligible candidates may include:
- Airline and commercial pilots with valid experience.
- Aircraft mechanics and inspectors working for airlines, MROs (maintenance, repair and overhaul) or aerospace companies.
5. Skilled Military Recruits (Canadian Armed Forces)
IRCC has also introduced a category for highly skilled foreign military recruits who are being hired into key roles by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This is aligned with Canada’s broader defence and security strategy.
Targeted roles include:
- Military doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
- Military pilots and other specialized technical positions in the CAF.
You generally need:
- A qualifying job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces in an eligible skilled role.
- To meet both immigration and CAF security/fitness requirements.
Existing Express Entry Priority Categories Still in Effect!
The 2026 update does not remove the earlier category‑based streams; instead, it renews and strengthens them. Current categories include:
- French‑language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations (now refreshed with a new aviation focus)
If your profile fits both an existing category (for example, French‑speaking STEM professional) and one of the new priority occupations, you could see multiple targeted opportunities in upcoming draws.
Why These New Categories Matter for Your PR Strategy
Category‑based Express Entry draws allow IRCC to invite specific groups at CRS scores that can be lower than those used in general draws. When IRCC runs a dedicated round for your category, you are only competing against others in the same category, not the entire pool.
For you, this can mean:
- Better chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you are a foreign‑trained doctor, researcher, senior manager, transport worker or skilled military recruit with Canadian ties.
- A strong incentive to update your Express Entry profile so that your NOC, job duties and Canadian work experience are accurately reflected before the first category‑based rounds.
Who Should Pay Special Attention to the 2026 Update?
You should take this 2026 IRCC update seriously if:
- You are a foreign‑trained medical doctor already working in Canada (hospital, clinic or similar setting).
- You are a researcher in a Canadian university, hospital, lab or private organisation.
- You are a senior manager with Canadian leadership experience and significant responsibilities.
- You are an aviation professional – pilot, aircraft mechanic or inspector – working in Canada.
- You are a skilled foreign military recruit with a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Even if you are not in these new priority categories, you may still qualify under existing categories such as French‑language, health care and social services, STEM, trades, education or transport, or through general and PNP‑linked Express Entry draws.
How NewSteps Immigration Can Help (Express Entry & Study Pathways)
As a regulated immigration firm, NewSteps Immigration can review your experience, NOC code and documents to determine whether you fall into one of the new 2026 priority categories or an existing category. We then design a step‑by‑step strategy, which may include Express Entry, PNP and, for some clients, a study pathway leading to Canadian work experience and permanent residence.
If you are an existing NewSteps client exploring new study options in Canada, you can message our study team directly on WhatsApp:
If you are ready to start or upgrade your Express Entry PR strategy under the new 2026 categories, you can book a consultation via WhatsApp:
We recommend acting early, before the first full cycle of category‑based draws in 2026, so your profile is complete, accurate and fully aligned with IRCC’s new priority list.
