Canada continues its category-based Express Entry strategy in 2026, with healthcare/social services and skilled trades among the priority categories used to address identified labour-market needs.
What changed
Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to use category-based selection within Express Entry. This selects skilled workers whose jobs or language skills support Canada's economic priorities. For 2026, jobs in healthcare, social services, and skilled trades are among the set Express Entry categories. IRCC's current advice on category-based selection confirms that people with qualifying experience in these areas may be invited through category-based rounds. This is alongside people in other named categories.
The detail
Policy history
Canada continues its category-based Express Entry strategy in 2026, with healthcare/social services and skilled trades aRelated changes
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