Big Changes Planned for Express Entry 2026

Based on the consultation documents, it appears that all existing categories could remain in 2026, alongside the newly proposed categories.

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This would mean the existing categories would continue to be a focus. These are:

On top of these, three new categories are under consideration:

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 27,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through category-based selection. However, these draws have been limited to just three categories:

While the official 2025 category list also includes Trades, Agriculture and agri-food, and STEM, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, together with shifting priorities, has meant no draws have been held in these areas yet.

Before committing to anything, IRCC will consult with provinces, territories, and stakeholders from August 6, 2025 to September 3, 2025 before finalizing the 2026 categories.

As part of its consultation process for shaping the 2026 Express Entry priorities, IRCC has shared a public survey asking for feedback on how category-based selection should evolve in 2026. The questions focus on big issues, like whether candidates should be chosen from inside or outside Canada, if work experience requirements should change, and what new categories might be added.

Here are key insights from IRCC’s 2026 Express Entry Economic Priorities Survey that hint at the direction Express Entry could take next year:

IRCC is asking if future category-based selection should focus more on people already in Canada — like international students and temporary workers — or continue to include skilled workers both in-Canada and from other countries. This same question was asked in last year’s 2025 survey, which shows IRCC is still exploring or deciding on this issue.

Any change could have a significant impact on the balance between the number of in-Canada and outside-Canada applicants invited, especially considering in 2024, 50% (49,323) of Invitations to Apply went to applicants who were outside of Canada.

The survey explores increasing the work experience requirement for category-based draws from 6 months in the last 3 years to 12 months. If adopted, this could place greater emphasis on applicants with deeper, proven experience in their field.

As outlined in the consultation document, the survey also highlights leadership and senior management, scientific research roles, and highly skilled military recruits as potential new categories, with respondents asked to share their opinions on each.

General invitation rounds are only mentioned in the context of working alongside category-based selection, much like they do now, rather than returning as the primary selection method. This suggests IRCC may maintain its current structure, with general draws supporting targeted selection only.

Both individuals and organizations can share their views on the 2026 categories by completing the online survey. However, it’s likely that more weight will be given to responses from organizations, since category-based draws are aimed at addressing labour shortages. In fact, organizations are asked more questions than individual respondents.

Since fall 2024, Express Entry categories have influenced which fields of study are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Any changes to the Express Entry categories could impact programs that qualify for a PGWP.

If leadership, research, and military recruitment become categories in 2026, we could see programs in Business and Management and Applied Sciences added to the list of fields of study eligible for a PGWP.

We can also expect the removal of transportation-related studies, as this is no longer a targeted category for Express Entry.

With IRCC’s consultation underway, the 2026 Express Entry categories could bring some of the biggest changes yet. The coming months will be crucial in shaping what Express Entry looks like next year.

We’ll keep you informed on every announcement, policy shift, and draw result so you’re always in the know.

Rebecca and Stephanie

This content is provided through a paid partnership between Moving2Canada and Scotiabank