Canada announces updated and new Express Entry categories for 2026, prioritizing top talent
What changed
Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced important changes to its Express Entry system for 2026. These changes add new categories and build on existing ones. Starting 1 January 2026, IRCC will still invite people who have strong French skills. It will also invite people with work experience in healthcare, social services, trades, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs. New categories are added for researchers and senior managers who have Canadian work experience. New categories are also for people in transport jobs, including pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors. Skilled military recruits with a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces will also have a new category. This includes doctors, nurses, and pilots. A special category for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience will also start in 2026. This category was announced in December 2025. It makes it clearer for these skilled professionals to get permanent residence.
Does this affect you?
Create a Mobility Profile to see whether this record relates to your nationality, residence and the pathways you follow.
Create your profileThe detail
Policy history
Each version stays exactly as it was published. This one is version 1 and sits in a chain of versions you can read separately.
Canada announces updated and new Express Entry categories for 2026, prioritizing top talentgoborda provides monitoring and explanation of publicly available policy information. It is not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration professional before acting.
Related changes
UPDATE: Permits extended until November 30, 2026 – CBSA to enhance border integrity and expand telephone reporting in remote border areas
What changed
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will close the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Programme. This programme will end on 1 December 2026. Now, all people who enter Canada through remote areas of northern Ontario or from the Northwest Angle into southern Manitoba must report to the CBSA. They must report at a port of entry or a special telephone reporting site. Before this change, RABC permits let people enter without directly reporting. Now, reporting by phone or at a physical port of entry is mandatory. To help with this change, all current RABC permits are now valid until 11:59 p.m. on 30 November 2026.
Published 10 Aug 2026Effective 1 Dec 2026Government of Canada — Immigration announcements
Canada expands online passport renewal to all eligible adults
What changed
Canada now lets all eligible adult Canadians renew their passport online. They can send their application, photo, and payment through the internet. This makes the process simpler. It means fewer people need to visit offices in person. It helps those who find it hard to go to a service centre.
Published 28 Jul 2026Effective 28 Jul 2026IRCC Newsroom
Canada strengthens regulation of immigration and citizenship consultants
What changed
Canada is putting new rules in place. These rules start on 15 July 2026. They will make the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants stronger. The College will improve how it handles complaints and punishes consultants who break rules. Penalties for consultants will be higher. Also, the public list of licensed consultants will show more details starting April 2027. The College will have to report more information. Rules for a fund to pay back people who lose money will be set up. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship can step in and take over the College's board duties if needed.
Published 6 May 2026Effective 15 Jul 2026IRCC Newsroom
Canada and Manitoba join forces to give new momentum to Francophone immigration
What changed
Canada and Manitoba will invest C$1.3 million. This money is for a new project. The project will help Manitoba's French-speaking population grow. It will use promotions, digital tools, specific research, and better ways to recognise skills. This should make immigration easier for French-speaking and bilingual people. These people must meet job market needs. The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) will also continue. It is extended for one more year, until August 2027.
Published 6 Jul 2026Effective 6 Jul 2026IRCC Newsroom