Canada has introduced new changes to the Express Entry system, adding three new occupational categories for permanent residence. The new Canada Express Entry occupational categories, which are researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and military personnel, focus on attracting skilled professionals aligned with the labour market's needs and economic priorities.
Another significant Express Entry 2026 update is that the minimum work experience requirement for all occupational categories has been raised from 6 months to 1 year (need not be continuous) within the past three years.
The government will maintain the priority for inviting candidates in the Canada Express Entry occupational categories of French-language proficiency, health care and social services, and skilled trades. As of now, the agriculture and agri-food occupation category has been discontinued. Also, it should be noted that the newly introduced transport occupations category does not include any of the occupations that were part of the previous transport occupations category.
In the Category-based selection Express Entry (CBS), candidates who have work experience in occupations that fall within an eligible category have a higher probability of receiving invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence since IRCC conducts targeted draws and issues ITAs exclusively to candidates who meet the requirements of the selected occupational category.
For the skilled military recruits, in addition to meeting the one year of relevant work experience, candidates should be serving in a foreign military that is recognized with a minimum of 10 years of continuous service; the Canadian Armed Forces should have offered a full-time job of not less than three years to the candidate; and the candidate should have a post-secondary diploma or degree in a program of a minimum of two years.
The Express Entry System is the federal government’s system for managing the permanent residence applications. Through the different immigration programs under the system, eligible top-ranking candidates (ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)) are issued a Canada permanent residence ITA.
To be eligible, candidates must live in Canada outside of Quebec and qualify under at least one of three federal programs:
The programs require a minimum of one year of full-time skilled work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation under Canada’s National Occupation Classification and a minimum level of proficiency in an approved English or French language test result.
| 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 |
| Occupation | 2021 NOC code |
| Post-secondary teaching and research assistants | 41201 |
| University professors and lecturers | 41200 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Canada is prioritizing the highly skilled professionals, and the newly added categories reinforce this. You must review your eligibility and prepare carefully to be successful in your permanent residency objective. ImmiLaw Global, the leading immigration lawyers and consultants, will help you in your permanent residence journey. We remain updated with the changing immigration scenario and will guide you efficiently with the IRCC Express Entry changes 2026 to achieve success.
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The new occupational categories for permanent residence that have been recently introduced include:
Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and military personnel. Also, physicians with Canadian experience was introduced on December 8, 2025.
You must have a minimum of one year of work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years.
No, the one-year work experience need not be continuous.
The agriculture and agri-food occupations category is retired.
No, only candidates who intend to reside outside the province of Quebec can apply under the Express Entry system.
No, different occupations are included in the new transport category.
The programs under the Express Entry system include
The new changes have been made to meet strategic goals, such as strengthening the Defence Industrial Strategy of Canada and aligning skilled immigration with labour market needs.
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