Canada Prioritizes Three New Occupations for PR through Express Entry

Canada will now focus on three new job groups for permanent residence through its Express Entry system. The federal government announced that it will give priority to researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport workers, and military personnel.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab shared the update during a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto on February 18, 2026. She said these changes aim to meet Canada’s workforce needs and support key national plans.

Work Experience Requirement Increased

The government has raised the minimum work experience requirement for all job categories to one year. Earlier, candidates needed only six months of continuous experience.

Now, applicants must show one full year of work experience within the past three years. They do not need to complete that year without breaks, but they must meet the total time requirement.

Who Falls Under the New Categories?

The first category includes senior managers in areas such as construction, transportation, business services, health care, education, and community services.

The second category covers researchers with Canadian work experience. This group includes university professors, lecturers, and post-secondary teaching and research assistants.

The third category includes skilled military recruits. It covers operations members, specialized members, and commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The transport category includes air pilots, flight engineers, flying instructors, automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, aircraft mechanics, and avionics technicians.

Minister Diab also confirmed that the first draw for physicians with Canadian work experience, a category added on December 8, 2025, will take place this week.

At the same time, the government has removed the agriculture and agri-food category. The earlier transport category, which ended in February 2025, does not share occupations with the new transport list.

How Express Entry Works

Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under three federal programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Applicants must plan to live outside Quebec and must meet minimum work experience and language requirements. They need at least one year of skilled work in jobs classified under Canada’s National Occupation Classification system. They also must prove their English or French skills through an approved language test.

Candidates receive scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System. The system gives points based on work experience, education, language ability, and age. If applicants apply with a spouse, the spouse’s qualifications also add to the score.

Since April 2024, the government has relied mainly on category-based selection and Canadian Experience Class draws for candidates without provincial nominations.

Extra Rules for Military Recruits

Applicants under the skilled military recruits category must meet additional conditions. They must serve in a recognized foreign military for at least ten continuous years. They also need a full-time job offer for at least three years with the Canadian Armed Forces and must hold a post-secondary credential from a program lasting at least two years.

Asylum Reform and Entry Rules

During a question-and-answer session, Diab addressed asylum reform under Bill C-12. She said Canada offers clear immigration pathways for skilled workers and stressed that people should not use the asylum system as a shortcut.

"If you have been in Canada for over a year, you should not be claiming asylum," said Diab.

She also stated that foreign nationals visiting Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026 must follow standard entry rules and should not claim asylum during their stay.

The bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons and now awaits further review in the Senate before it can become law.