IRCC.com
Currently activeHigh urgency

Express Entry Category-Based Selection — 2026 Categories

Effective: Announced late 2025; physicians category added December 8, 2025

TL;DR

2026 categories: Senior Managers (Canadian experience), Researchers (Canadian experience), Healthcare/Social Services, Education, Trades, French-language proficiency, Transport, Skilled Military Recruits, and Physicians. STEM and Agriculture categories removed for 2026.

What changed

  • STEM and Agriculture categories ended for 2026.
  • New: Senior Managers, Researchers, Skilled Military Recruits, Physicians.
  • French-language proficiency continues to be a priority category.

Who is affected

All Express Entry candidates targeting category-based draws.

Source: View on canada.ca →

Related immigration topics

Other recent policy changes