Express Entry is shifting away from a “one-size-fits-all” selection model and toward a system that’s more targeted by occupation, language, and regional need. That direction is consistent with Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which stabilizes permanent resident admissions at 380,000 from 2026 to 2028 while tightening overall system “control” through lower temporary resident targets and a continued focus on labour market priorities.

If you’re already in the pool (or planning to enter in 2026), the key is not just improving your CRS score. Instead, it’s aligning your profile with where IRCC is directing invitations.

A Quick Refresher: What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is IRCC’s application management system for several economic pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through different round types, including category-based selection rounds that target specific attributes (such as French-language proficiency) or occupations (such as healthcare and social work).

Changes And Updates Anticipated for Express Entry In 2026

New Express Entry Category for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience

One of the clearest confirmed changes is a new category specifically for international doctors who already have Canadian experience. On December 8, 2025, IRCC announced it will create a new Express Entry category for physicians with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience (within the last three years) — and confirmed that invitations under this category will be issued in early 2026. 

This signals something important for 2026 generally: IRCC is increasingly rewarding already-integrated talent — people who are working in Canada and filling urgent gaps.

New Occupation Categories Under Consideration (Not Yet Finalized)

IRCC has also publicly identified several economic priority categories under consideration for 2026, including:

• Senior managers (leadership roles)
• Researchers (including scientists and researchers)
• National security and defence (skilled military recruits)

These are still proposals, not guarantees. Still, they indicate where IRCC may want to steer selection if those categories are implemented: leadership capacity, innovation, and security-related labour needs.

Priority Categories and Draw Patterns May Shift

As of now, IRCC’s “current categories” list includes French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, agriculture and agri-food, education, and physicians with Canadian work experience.

What’s unclear is how heavily each category will be prioritized in 2026. Based on Express Entry draw patterns in 2025, French and healthcare both stood out as high priority sectors by IRCC. On the flipside, there were no STEM draws, and education and trades had minimal draws throughout the year.

So what’s the practical takeaway amid all this? Aspiring permanent residency applicants in 2026 and beyond should plan for a system where category alignment can matter as much as CRS, and where some categories may be emphasized while others remain dormant or limited.

Higher PNP Admissions Targets (More Provincial Pathways Into Express Entry)

The 2026–2028 plan increases planned admissions for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — with 91,500 targeted for 2026 (and higher in later years).

Why does this matter for Express Entry? Provinces receive nomination allocations, and some of those nominations are Express Entry–aligned. If provincial allocations rise, we could see more candidates using PNP as a potential PR pathway when federal CRS cut-offs remain competitive.

French-Language Advantage Is Expected To Remain Strong (And The Targets Are Rising)

If there’s one “signal” that looks built into the policy direction, it’s Francophone immigration. IRCC’s plan commits to Francophone admissions targets outside Quebec of 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028, as part of the path toward 12% by 2029.

This matters because French-language selection isn’t just a labour-market tool — it is also tied to broader federal objectives around Francophone communities.

NOC Updates: A Major Classification Shift Is Coming (And It Can Affect Eligibility)

Canada is moving toward NOC 2026, and consultation results indicate a significant number of unit groups are expected to be impacted (including “real” changes to titles, definitions, or duties).

StatCan’s schedule indicates the public release of NOC 2026 (version 1.0) is planned for December 2026, meaning the full “system impact” may be gradual and could extend into late 2026/2027 implementation depending on when IRCC transitions its program rules.

What’s the planning point? Your eligibility can turn on how your duties align with the NOC description—not just your job title. With revisions ahead, documenting duties clearly (reference letters, organizational charts, pay records) becomes even more important.

A New English Test Option: TOEFL Essentials Is Coming

IRCC’s Express Entry language page currently lists approved tests such as CELPIP, IELTS, PTE Core, TEF, and TCF—and TOEFL is not yet included there.

However, ETS (the test administrator) has publicly stated IRCC will accept TOEFL Essentials in the future and that IRCC will update its official webpages once acceptance begins.

Practical takeaway: don’t plan a 2026 strategy around TOEFL until IRCC formally announces it as part of the eligible language tests, especially if your profile timeline is tight.

Express Entry in 2025: A Brief Recap

To understand where Express Entry is heading in 2026, it is imperative to consider how the system operated in 2025.

In 2025, IRCC has issued over 110,000 Invitations to Apply across nearly 60 rounds, with strong emphasis on French-language proficiency, in-Canada focus through Canadian Experience Class, and targeted occupation rounds (especially healthcare), alongside steady and consistent PNP draws.

CRS cut-offs were high throughout the year for CEC draws, which emphasizes the competitive nature of the system.

One additional 2025 shift that changed competitiveness: IRCC removed additional CRS points for arranged employment (job offers). The removal of job-offer points from the CRS in March 2025 further reshaped ranking dynamics and increased the importance of core human capital factors.

Overall, these themes help explain the likely 2026 reality: fewer “shortcuts,” more emphasis on in-Canada experience, French, occupation fit, and provincial pathways.

How To Think About Your 2026 Express Entry Strategy

If 2026 Express Entry had a slogan, it might be: “Be the profile IRCC is trying to select.” That usually means:

• strengthening language (especially French, where realistic),
• aligning experience with in-demand categories,
• and keeping PNP options active instead of waiting for a perfect CRS score.

How Nihang Law Can Help

At Nihang Law, we give you an immigration strategy that turns uncertainty into a clear path forward. We turn “I’m stuck in the pool” into a clear plan — what to fix, what to prove, and which pathway to pursue — so you’re not just waiting for a draw, you’re building toward one.

At Nihang Law Professional Corporation, we help applicants:

• choose the most realistic Express Entry / category / PNP strategy,
• confirm NOC alignment and evidence strength,
• and prepare complete, consistent filings that match IRCC’s current direction.

If you’re planning for 2026, the best time to build a winning profile is before the rules (or categories) shift again.