Express Entry in 2026: Big Changes that You Should Know

By Anne Lui, founder and principal consultant of Hopeway Immigration

2026 is going to be a pivotal year for Canada’s Express Entry system. This is especially so for candidates already in Canada, professionals in targeted occupations, and Francophone applicants.

For those of you planning to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or a related pathway, it is critical that you understand how these changes will impact you. So, stay on top of the key developments below and take them into account when you map out your strategy.

1. 2026 will be a promising year for Canadian Experience Class applicants

Now is the time to take action! If you already have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and meet the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requirements, you should create or update your Express Entry profile as soon as possible.

Even if your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is not at the peak levels in 2025, next year may present improved chances.

Over 11 months of 2025, the CRS cut-off score for CEC draws stood at an exceptionally high level—often above 530 points. However, we have begun to see a downward trend in December (refer to the table in the Appendix), and this is expected to continue into 2026. Here are the reasons why:

• In-Canada applicants are prioritized: According to IRCC’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will keep prioritizing candidates who are already working in Canada.
• The CEC pool may be shrinking: As IRCC slashed the quotas for study permits and work permits, fewer new foreign nationals can join the Canadian labour market, meaning there will be fewer CEC candidates in the pool.
• Top-ranking applicants leaving the pool: Many CEC candidates scoring above 520 points have already received Invitations to Apply (ITAs). So, it is reasonable to expect that the overall competitiveness of the pool will drop.

2. New Occupational Categories Around the Corner

IRCC has launched a public consultation on potential new categories for Express Entry in 2026, targeting occupations that align with Canada’s long-term economic and security needs.

A new category has already been confirmed for early 2026, the Physician with Canadian Experience category. Under this new Express Entry category, physicians with at least one year of Canadian work experience are eligible to participate. General practitioners and family physicians, Surgeons, and Clinical and Laboratory medicine specialists are included.

More new categories are expected to come. Although not yet launched, IRCC has signalled the potential for new categories in the following areas:

• Senior management professionals leading teams and operations
• Scientists and researchers are driving innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth
• Military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces from allied countries

Anyone whose occupation falls under one of these areas should prepare early. Don’t wait for the last minute to take your language test, apply for your education credential assessments, and gather your employment documentation. Appointing a professional to represent your application will also give you a head start.

3. Increased Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Quotas May Reopen Paused or Closed Streams

By 2026, IRCC plans to allocate 91,500 permanent residence spots to PNPs, representing a 66% increase compared to previous targets.

The increased PNP allocations may allow provinces to reactivate some popular streams that were either paused or closed in 2025, led by quota restrictions.

Take the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for example. In 2025, the OINP did not nominate anyone under its Express Entry streams, such as the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream and the Express Entry Skilled Trades Worker Stream. These streams have been highly popular amongst Express Entry applicants since day one because they do not need to have a current job offer in Ontario to become eligible for the program.

When the provincial governments have more PR allocations in the new year, hopefully, the pathways that went dormant in 2025 will once again become viable options.

4. Major overhaul coming to the NOC System in 2026

There will be structural changes to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system in 2026. The NOC is a classification system that offers a standardized framework to provide consistent statistical information on various occupations in Canada. In the context of Canadian immigration, the NOC is a core factor to assess a skilled worker’s eligibility for the programs under the Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Programs, other employer-driven immigration pathways, or even for work permits.

As a result, the reclassification, restructuring, or skill-level changes of the NOC system may affect whether your work experience would remain eligible for certain immigration pathways.

All applicants under the economic immigration system should watch these developments closely and be prepared to reassess their eligibility and adjust their strategy accordingly.

5. Francophone Immigration will continue and be strengthened

The Canadian government has announced that francophone immigration outside Quebec will remain a key federal priority, and we believe this focus will continue strongly in 2026.  It won’t be a surprise to see large Express Entry draws under the French-language proficiency category.

Moreover, in November 2025, IRCC announced $3.6 million in funding for four new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program. These initiatives aim to facilitate the immigration of Francophone and bilingual candidates, particularly in high-demand sectors such as health care and early childhood education.

For candidates who are not ranked at the top, you may want to start intensive French lessons with experienced tutors. After all, having strong French language skills represents one of the most strategic advantages within the Express Entry system.

Early preparation makes a big difference

In view of the anticipated big changes in the Express Entry system in 2026, it is wise to plan ahead early and apply for the documents that require a long lead time in advance.  Setting up your Express Entry profile early and reassessing your options as policies evolve will improve your chances of success.

Why do you choose Hopeway Immigration?

At Hopeway Immigration, it is our mission to improve your chance of success, whether it’s crafting a Permanent Residence strategy, assessing your eligibility, or maintaining your student or worker status to stay competitive. We have a clear and transparent process that starts with an eligibility assessment based on our client’s profile to ensure a high chance of success. We treat every application as a unique case and provide personalized support to help our clients navigate the complex immigration system.

Book a Consultation today with us, a trusted immigration consultant based in North York and Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Dates and Cut-off Details of CEC Express Entry Draws in 2025

Below is a complete overview of all Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds of invitations conducted by IRCC in 2025, including the number of invitations issued and the minimum CRS cut-off score for each draw.

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