Express Entry 2026: Every Occupation Canada Will Prioritize This Year

Key Takeaway

On February 18, 2026, IRCC confirmed 10 Express Entry category-based selection categories for 2026. Five are new: physicians, researchers, and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and skilled military recruits. Five are renewed from 2025: French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM, trades, and education. The agriculture and agri-food category has been removed. As a result, the minimum work experience for all renewed categories has increased from 6 months to 12 months. Below is the complete list of every eligible occupation and NOC code.

What Changed on February 18, 2026?

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the 2026 Express Entry category-based selection priorities at the Canadian Club in Toronto. Specifically, the announcement confirmed which occupations IRCC will target in dedicated category-based draws throughout 2026.

Here is what you need to know about the changes:

• Five new categories added: physicians with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and skilled military recruits.
• Five categories renewed from 2025: French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trade occupations, and education occupations.
• One category removed: agriculture and agri-food occupations category is no longer a priority category for 2026.
• Work experience requirement increased: all renewed occupational categories now require 12 months of experience (up from 6 months). This experience must be gained within the past 3 years.
• Canadian experience required for some new categories: physicians, researchers, and senior managers must have their qualifying experience in Canada. Transport occupations accept Canadian or foreign experience.
• First physicians happened on February 19: IRCC invited 391 physicians with Canadian work experience and the Comprehensive Ranking System score of 169 setting the stage for the new category-based Express Entry draws.

The Complete List of 2026 Express Entry Categories

The table below shows all 10 categories, their work experience requirements, and whether Canadian experience is mandatory.

1. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations

This is the largest category by number of eligible occupations. It covers 37 roles across clinical care, nursing, therapy, pharmacy, social work, and related fields. Work experience of 12 months can be gained in Canada or abroad.

2. STEM Occupations

The STEM category covers engineering, cybersecurity, and architecture roles. You can gain your 12 months of work experience in Canada or abroad.

4. Education Occupations

The education category covers teaching and early childhood education roles. You can gain your 12 months of work experience in Canada or abroad.

5. Transport Occupations (New for 2026)

This is a new category for 2026 targeting aviation and automotive transport professionals. You can gain your 12 months of work experience in Canada or abroad.

6. Physicians with Canadian Work Experience (New for 2026)

This category was first introduced in December 2025. It requires 12 months of work experience in Canada. The first draw for physicans took place on February 19, just one day after the February 18 announcement with a ground breaking cut off score of only 169.

7. Researchers with Canadian Work Experience (New for 2026)

This category targets university professors and research assistants working at Canadian post-secondary institutions. It requires 12 months of Canadian work experience.

8. Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (New for 2026)

This category targets executives working at the most senior levels of organizations in Canada. It covers NOC Major Group 00 roles and requires 12 months of Canadian work experience. These are not regular managers. They are roles that involve managing other managers and setting organizational direction.

9. Skilled Military Recruits (New for 2026)

This category is different from the others. It targets foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces. Candidates must have a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces and meet specific service requirements.

10. French-Language Proficiency

This is not an occupation-based category. To be eligible, you must have French-language test results showing a minimum score of NCLC 7 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). No specific occupation is required.

What Was Removed for 2026?

Agriculture and agri-food: This category, which was active in 2025, has been removed from the 2026 list. The only occupation previously listed under this category was butchers (NOC 63201) is now included under 2026 Trade occupations mentioned above.

Cooks (NOC 63200): This occupation was previously included in the trade occupations category and has been removed for 2026.

How Do Category-Based Draws Work?

Category-based draws are separate from general Express Entry draws. When IRCC holds a category-based round, it identifies candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet both the standard Express Entry eligibility requirements and the specific category criteria. It then ranks those candidates by CRS score and invites the top-ranking ones to apply for permanent residence.

As a result, you can receive an invitation even if your CRS score is too low for a general draw, as long as you rank high enough within your category. Historically, category-based draws have had lower CRS cut-offs than general rounds.

You must already have an active Express Entry profile in the pool. IRCC does not send separate notifications about category eligibility. If your profile matches a category and IRCC holds a draw, you may receive an invitation automatically.

What Should You Do Now?

If your occupation appears on any of the lists above, here is exactly what you should do next:

• Confirm your NOC code. Your eligibility depends on your actual job duties matching the NOC description, not your job title. Review the NOC 2021 descriptions carefully.
• Check your work experience. You now need at least 12 months of qualifying experience within the past 3 years. For physicians, researchers, and senior managers, this must be Canadian experience.
• Take your language test. You need a valid IRCC-approved language test. Results must be less than two years old. Book your test now if you have not already done so.
• Get your ECA if needed. If your education is from outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organization.
• Create or update your Express Entry profile. Make sure your profile accurately reflects your current work experience, NOC code, and language test results. You must be in the pool to receive an invitation.

How We Can Help

At Sobirovs Law Firm, we help professionals across all these categories navigate the Express Entry process. Whether you are a healthcare worker, a senior executive, an engineer, or a skilled tradesperson, we can assess your eligibility, confirm your NOC classification, and prepare a strong application.

About the Author

Feruza Djamalova is a Senior Business Immigration Lawyer at Sobirovs Law Firm (LSO No. 60068U). She specializes in Canadian business and investor immigration, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Start-Up Visa program. Feruza has helped clients across six continents navigate the Canadian immigration system.