Canada adds three new Express Entry PR categories, i.e., the Canadian federal government has announced that it will prioritize three new occupational categories for permanent residence through the Express Entry system. These new categories are: researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and military personnel.
At the same time, the minimum work experience requirement for all occupational categories has increased. Applicants must now have at least one year of work experience. Earlier, only six months of continuous work experience was required.
The one year of work experience must have been gained within the past three years. However, this experience does not need to be continuous.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab shared these updates during a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto on February 18, 2026.
Senior Managers With Canadian Experience
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
| Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities | 00015 |
| Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services | 00014 |
| Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations | 00013 |
| Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services | 00012 |
Researchers With Canadian Work Experience
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
| Post-secondary teaching and research assistants | 41201 |
| University professors and lecturers | 41200 |
Skilled Military Recruits
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
| Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces | 43204 |
| Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces | 42102 |
| Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces | 40042 |
Transport Occupations
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
| Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 72600 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers | 72410 |
| Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 |
| Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors | 22313 |
Minister Diab also confirmed that the first draw under the physicians with Canadian work experience category will take place this week. This category was added to Express Entry on December 8, 2025.
The government will continue to prioritize other categories as well. These include French language proficiency, health care and social services, and trades occupations.
The agriculture and agri-food occupations category has now been removed.
Moreover, the new transport category is different from the earlier transport category. The previous version was removed in February 2025, and none of those occupations are part of the new list.
Under Express Entry, foreign nationals with eligible work experience in these categories have a higher chance of being selected. This happens through category-based selection (CBS). In CBS draws, invitations to apply (ITAs) are issued only to candidates who meet the criteria of a specific occupational category.
To qualify for a category, the one year of required work experience must have been gained within the past three years.
Since April 2024, category-based selection has become very important. All non-PNP and non-category draws since April 23, 2024 have been under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC requires at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience.
Minister Diab said these new Express Entry changes will support Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. She explained that this strategy is part of Mark Carney’s larger economic plan to strengthen Canada’s future.
Additional Requirements For Skilled Military Recruits
The military recruits category has extra rules beyond the one year of work experience.
To qualify for the skilled military recruits category, an Express Entry candidate must also:
- Be serving in a recognized foreign military with at least ten years of continuous service.
- Have a full-time job offer for at least three years with the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Have a post-secondary credential from a program of at least two years in length.
About Express Entry
As Canada adds three new Express Entry PR categories, let us understand what Express Entry is.
Well, Express Entry is the federal government’s main system for managing permanent residence applications.
Through this system, the government selects foreign nationals by issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to top-ranking candidates.
To qualify for Express Entry, a candidate must plan to live outside Quebec and meet the minimum requirements of at least one of the three federal immigration programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
All three programs require at least one year of full-time skilled work experience. Skilled work is defined as jobs under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC).
Candidates must also show language ability in English or French. This is done by taking an approved language test from a government-recognized testing provider.
Each candidate receives a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Scores range from 0 to 1200. The CRS score is based on work experience, education, age, and language skills.
If a candidate is applying with a spouse, the spouse’s education, language skills, and Canadian work experience can also increase the CRS score.
History Of Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection was first introduced in May 2023 by former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. At that time, six categories were launched:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
- Trades occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
These categories continued until February 27, 2025. On that date, IRCC made major changes. A new education occupations category was added. At the same time, the earlier transport category was removed.
The department also updated many eligible occupations. Some categories were listed as “Version 2” to show these changes.
Later, on December 8, 2025, IRCC added another new category: Physicians with Canadian work experience. This category was introduced to help increase the number of doctors in Canada.
A summary of Express Entry category-based selections, since its inception, can be found below:
| Round type | Number Of Draws Held | Total ITAs Issued |
| Agriculture and agri-food occupations (Version 1) | 3 | 1,150 |
| Education occupations (Version 1) | 2 | 3,500 |
| French language proficiency (Version 1) | 26 | 79,700 |
| French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 1 | 8,500 |
| Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2) | 7 | 14,500 |
| Healthcare occupations (Version 1) | 6 | 15,850 |
| STEM occupations (Version 1) | 3 | 10,900 |
| Trade occupations (Version 1) | 4 | 6,100 |
| Trade occupations (Version 2) | 1 | 1,250 |
| Transport occupations (Version 1) | 3 | 2,645 |
| Total | 56 | 144,095 |
Asylum Reform
During the question and answer session after her speech, Minister Diab spoke about asylum reform under Bill C-12.
She said that Canada already has clear immigration pathways for skilled workers. She stressed that the asylum system should be used only by people who truly need protection, not as a way to enter Canada for economic reasons.
Moreover, she stated that individuals who have already been in Canada for over one year should not be making an asylum claim.
Bill C-12 has passed its third reading in the House of Commons. It is now being reviewed by a Senate committee after its second reading. To become law, it must pass a third reading in the Senate and receive royal assent.
Minister Diab also mentioned the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. She said that foreign nationals visiting Canada for the event must follow normal visitor entry rules. She added that visitors coming for the World Cup should not use the opportunity to claim asylum.
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