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Canada has announced significant changes to the Express Entry system, introducing three new priority occupational categories and increasing the minimum work experience requirement for category-based selection.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed the updates on February 18, 2026, marking one of the most important adjustments to Express Entry since the overhaul of 2025.
The federal government will now prioritize permanent residence invitations for candidates in the following occupational groups:
1. Researchers and Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
This category targets high-impact professionals already contributing to Canada’s economy. Eligible occupations include senior managers across sectors such as construction, finance, health, education, and business services, as well as university professors and post-secondary research assistants.
2. Transport Occupations
A completely new transport category has been introduced, replacing the former version retired in 2025. It now includes:
Notably, this new transport category does not mirror the previous one — it reflects a strategic shift toward aviation and mechanical expertise.
3. Skilled Military Recruits
This category supports Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and applies to specialized foreign military personnel. However, it comes with additional requirements beyond work experience, including:
Canada is clearly moving toward a more strategic and controlled selection model. Understanding where you fit within these categories is now essential to building a successful permanent residence plan.
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