Categorical Entry, Canada’s essential software administration system for expert immigration, is about to bear some huge updates within the coming 12 months.
In 2026, the federal authorities will proceed to focus on expert staff from particular occupational classes to assist it meet gaps within the labour market.
This text will cowl a number of the notable modifications anticipated in 2026.
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Begin of Categorical Entry attracts for physicians with Canadian work expertise
On December 8, Immigration Minister Lena Diab introduced the launch of a brand new Categorical Entry class particularly for physicians with Canadian work expertise.
This new class differs from the present healthcare and social companies class by
- Requiring candidates to have at the least one 12 months of Canadian work expertise to qualify (versus at the least six months of Canadian or worldwide expertise; and
- Decreased occupation eligibility (three occupations versus 37).
As with all different classes, candidates should proceed to satisfy all the necessities within the directions for that spherical and be eligible for at the least one in every of Categorical Entry’s three packages.
Those that imagine they could be eligible beneath this new class can create or replace their Categorical Entry profiles now. Extra particulars might be discovered right here.
Attracts beneath this new class will start in early 2026.
Class-based choice attracts had been launched in 2023 to permit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus on candidates who’ve in-demand expertise. These classes are reviewed and adjusted every year in order that choice stays aligned with Canada’s evolving labour market wants and coverage priorities.
For particulars about eligibility for category-based choice attracts, verify our devoted webpage on the subject.
Potential introduction of latest classes for category-based choice
The federal authorities has proposed the introduction of three further occupational classes for Categorical Entry in 2026:
- Management (senior managers) – geared toward extremely expert senior managers who oversee operations and lead groups.
- Analysis and innovation (scientists and researchers) – to prioritize researchers and scientists whose work can drive innovation, productiveness, and long-term financial efficiency.
- Nationwide safety and defence (navy personnel) – to assist the Canadian Armed Forces by means of the prioritization of extremely expert navy recruits from accomplice nations
The proposals stay topic to vary, and particulars on implementation — together with actual occupations and timelines — will solely be confirmed as soon as the federal authorities completes its overview and publishes up to date directions.
Updates to present classes, together with precedence classes
Other than the newly-introduced physicians class, Canada has 5 occupational classes in 2025:
- STEM;
- Trades;
- Healthcare and social companies;
- Schooling; and
- Agriculture and agri-food.
Amongst these, in February, IRCC listed healthcare and social companies, trades, and schooling as precedence classes—along with French-language proficiency.
It stays to be seen whether or not the occupational classes being prioritized will proceed to be in 2026, or whether or not IRCC will give different classes precedence standing.
It’s price noting that STEM and Agriculture and Agri-food classes haven’t had any attracts in 2025 (as of time of writing).
Elevated Provincial Nominee Program allocation
To satisfy admissions targets, IRCC normally assigns provinces and territories an annual nomination allocation.
Provinces use this allocation to find out what number of overseas nationals they will nominate for everlasting residency by means of their PNP streams—a few of that are Categorical Entry-aligned.
The federal authorities’s improve in PNP PR admissions in 2026 will end in an elevated nomination allocation for PNPs, although by how a lot is presently unclear.
This elevated allocation could translate to extra PNP attracts by means of the Categorical Entry system in 2026, which was essentially the most regularly drawn program beneath Categorical Entry this 12 months.
That is excellent news for candidates who’re looking for PR by means of PNP streams
Provinces are anticipated to learn of their elevated nomination allocation in early 2026
Assess your eligibility for Categorical Entry-aligned PNP streams
Continued concentrate on francophone immigration
The newest Immigration Ranges Plan reinforces Canada’s dedication to francophone immigration (outdoors of Quebec).
As per the Plan, the goal for Francophone admissions outdoors Quebec for 2026 is 9%—a rise from the 2025 goal of 8.5% (in final 12 months’s Immigration Ranges Plan).
That is a part of Canada’s total dedication to extend Francophone immigration outdoors Quebec. The Ranges Plan has dedicated to a goal of 10.5% admissions by 2028, supporting a broader purpose of attaining 12% by 2029.
To qualify for a French-language proficiency draw, it’s a must to:
- Meet the eligibility standards for one in every of Canada’s three Categorical Entry Packages;
- Be within the candidate pool;
- Have French language check outcomes of Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC stage 7) throughout all 4 language skills; and
- Meet all the necessities within the directions for that spherical.
You’ll be able to study extra about the best way to enhance your French-language proficiency right here.
Replace to Canada’s Nationwide Occupational Classification (NOC)
Canada is getting ready a significant overhaul of its Nationwide Occupational Classification (NOC) system in 2026. The NOC is central to figuring out eligibility for quite a few immigration pathways, together with Categorical Entry.
Any modifications to job titles, occupational classes, or essential duties could straight have an effect on who qualifies for particular packages.
The federal authorities conducts a complete overview of the NOC each 5 years to make sure it displays present labour market circumstances. The upcoming 2026 revision has been designated as a significant replace, that means vital structural and content material modifications are anticipated. An official announcement is anticipated in December 2025, with implementation scheduled for 2026.
A complete of 165 unit teams are anticipated to be impacted by actual and digital modifications.
A number of the modifications embody:
- Revised titles and/or definitions; and/or
- Updates to definitions, lead statements, essential duties, employment necessities, and exclusions.
New language check for PR functions
International nationals might also have a brand new check possibility obtainable to show English language proficiency for sure PR software sorts, together with Categorical Entry-managed packages.
In August 2025, it was introduced that the Check of English as a International Language (TOEFL) could be added to the record of English-language assessments presently accepted:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP);
- Worldwide English Language Testing System (IELTS); and
- Pearson Check of English (PTE Core).
Whereas IRCC has but to announce when it’s going to start accepting this check, it’s working with the Schooling Testing Service (ETS)—which administers the TOEFL—on the steps resulting in its acceptance, and we may even see this carried out in some unspecified time in the future in 2026.
About Categorical Entry
Categorical Entry is Canada’s essential system for managing functions for PR beneath three expert employee packages:
- Federal Expert Employee Program;
- Federal Expert Trades Program; and
- Canadian Expertise Class.
Launched in 2015, it makes use of a points-based Complete Rating System (CRS) to guage candidates on elements corresponding to age, schooling, work expertise, and language capability. These with the very best scores are invited to use for PR by means of common attracts.
Categorical Entry is designed to assist Canada meet its labour market wants by attracting expert expertise from all over the world.
