2026 Express Entry Categories: What Prospective Applicants Should Know

On February 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the categories it will use for category-based selection under Express Entry in 2026. The update is intended to help Canada respond to labour-market needs while continuing to select candidates through the Express Entry system.

Watch a recent immigration ministers’ briefing

On June 23, 2026, federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab and a provincial immigration minister spoke to the media following a meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.

Current Express Entry categories

IRCC’s current category-based selection page lists the following categories:

• French-language proficiency

• Healthcare and social services occupations

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations

• Trade occupations

• Education occupations

• Transport occupations

• Physicians with Canadian work experience

• Senior managers with Canadian work experience

• Researchers with Canadian work experience

• Skilled military recruits

What this means for prospective applicants

Category-based selection does not create a separate immigration program. A candidate must first qualify for at least one of the programs managed through Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The candidate must also meet the requirements of the category used for a particular invitation round. IRCC may hold general, program-specific, or category-based rounds, and each round has its own instructions, number of invitations and Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off.

Being eligible for a category does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Candidates are still ranked in the Express Entry pool, and the details of each invitation round matter.

Practical steps to consider

• Confirm that you are eligible for an Express Entry-managed program.

• Check whether your occupation and work experience meet the exact requirements of a current category.

• Keep language test results, education documents and proof of work experience accurate and up to date.

• Review the official IRCC category page and invitation-round instructions regularly because criteria can change.

• Obtain advice based on your individual facts before making important immigration decisions.

Official sources

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program requirements can change. For advice about your circumstances, consult an authorized Canadian immigration professional.