Express Entry 2026: Canada adds priority categories for researchers, aviation-linked transport jobs, and skilled military recruits
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on February 18, 2026 the priority categories it plans to target under Express Entry’s category-based selection approach, aimed at inviting candidates with skills tied to identified labour gaps.
IRCC said new categories include researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors, and highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces for roles such as military doctors, nurses and pilots.
Under IRCC’s framework, category-based rounds
operate within the Express Entry pool, ranking eligible candidates by Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and inviting top-ranked profiles that also meet category requirements. IRCC notes these rounds supplement general and program-specific draws and may not be needed if other draw types already invite enough eligible candidates.
On eligibility details, IRCC’s category list for transport occupations includes aviation-linked roles such as aircraft mechanics and inspectors (NOC 72404), air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600), and avionics and aircraft electrical technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313), generally requiring at least 12 months of full-time experience in the past three years in an eligible occupation.
For the “skilled military recruits” category, IRCC states applicants must meet FSMA criteria including at least 10 years of continuous service in a recognized foreign military, have an arranged employment offer issued by the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group for at least three years, and hold at least a two-year post-secondary credential, alongside other round-specific instructions.
IRCC also pointed to a dedicated 2026 category for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, adding that the first round for that category would take place in the coming days
