The federal government is considering a major expansion of Express Entry in 2026 that could make it easier for foreign nationals in three high-demand fields to secure permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opened public consultations on adding categories for senior managers, scientists and researchers, and skilled military personnel from allied nations. Feedback will be accepted until September 3, 2025.
The proposed senior manager stream would focus on experienced executives who oversee large operations and teams, with IRCC suggesting their expertise could boost productivity, drive digital transformation, and strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness. A research and innovation stream would prioritize certain scientists and researchers to accelerate innovation and economic growth, while a national security and defence stream would attract highly trained military professionals to support the Canadian Armed Forces.
These categories would build on the existing priority groups from 2025, which include Francophone immigration outside Quebec, healthcare, skilled trades, education, STEM, and agriculture. The government aims to raise the share of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec from 8.5% in 2025 to 10% by 2027.
The changes could also affect Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, as IRCC continues to align education-to-immigration pathways with labour market needs. While graduates of degree-level programs remain exempt from restrictions, updates planned for 2026 could reshape options for other credentials.
Category-based selection, introduced in 2023, allows IRCC to invite candidates with in-demand skills or language abilities at lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores than general draws. In 2025, targeted draws for priority categories often had cut-offs dozens of points below general rounds. The proposed updates aim to keep Canada’s skilled immigration system responsive to shifting economic and security priorities.