Types of Immigration Candidates IRCC Will Prioritize in 2026
Everyone Asking What Occupation IRCC will invite candidates for Canada PR in 2026?
Canada’s immigration system continues to evolve to meet economic demands and workforce gaps. Based on immigration trends and policies introduced in 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to place a strong emphasis on candidates with specific experience, skills, and profiles in 2026.
This blog outlines which types of candidates are likely to be prioritized under Express Entry and related immigration pathways heading into 2026.
IRCC’s 2026 Immigration Focus: Who Has the Advantage?
In 2025, IRCC expanded category-based Express Entry draws and introduced new pathways focused on high-demand occupations and economic priorities. These policy changes signal a strategic shift toward welcoming candidates who already contribute to Canada’s labour force or who bring high-value expertise.
Priority will likely be given to:
Candidates with Canadian work experience (CEC)
Healthcare and social service workers
French-speaking applicants
Skilled trades professionals
International researchers and tech talent
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and In-Canada Applicants:
IRCC has continued to favor candidates already working in Canada, particularly through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In 2025 alone, over 30,850 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued through CEC draws, making it the second-most frequent draw type after the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
This aligns with IRCC’s broader immigration goals: transitioning up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers to permanent residence (PR) between 2026 and 2027. The focus is on candidates who are rooted in Canadian communities and actively contributing to the economy.
Takeaway: If you have at least one year of Canadian work experience in a skilled occupation, you may be strongly positioned for PR in 2026.
Healthcare and Social Service Workers
Canada continues to face serious workforce shortages in the healthcare and social service sectors. In 2025, IRCC expanded its healthcare category to include social service occupations, and 14,500 ITAs were issued through this category — second only to French-language draws.
Examples of provincial programs prioritizing healthcare:
British Columbia: Health Authority Stream
Alberta: Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
Nova Scotia: Announced 2026 focus on healthcare/social workers
IRCC has also allocated 5,000 federal admissions for licensed doctors nominated by provinces, and confirmed 14-day expedited work permit processing for them.
Takeaway: Healthcare and social service professionals will remain high-priority candidates in both federal and provincial immigration streams in 2026.
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
A spouse or common-law partner of an overseas student may be eligible to extend their current open work permit under this stream if the following conditions are met:
- The student has a valid study permit.
- The student is physically present or will be physically present in Canada while studying.
- The student is enrolled full-time in a DLI program that is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP); and
- The student is not in the last term of their course of study.
French-Speaking Candidates
French-speaking candidates remain one of the highest-priority groups under Express Entry. In 2025, 42,000 ITAs were issued through French-language draws — the largest total across all category types.
Canada’s updated Immigration Levels Plan targets 9% Francophone admissions outside Quebec in 2026, up from 8.5% in 2025.
These measures aim to support Francophone minority communities and address labour shortages across provinces.
Takeaway: Proficiency in French can drastically improve your chances of being invited, even with lower CRS scores.
Skilled Trades Professionals
Canada is facing long-term shortages in construction and skilled trades. In early 2025, IRCC added 19 occupations to the Express Entry trades category, including electricians, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators.
In March 2025, IRCC announced plans to admit up to 14,000 construction workers, though specific pathways (PR or temporary) weren’t detailed. Provincial programs continue to run dedicated draws for trades workers.
Takeaway: Skilled trades workers should expect strong demand and increased immigration opportunities through Express Entry and PNPs.
International Researchers and Tech Talent:
Attracting world-class talent is a key part of Canada’s innovation and growth strategy.
In 2025, the federal government:
Introduced an accelerated pathway for H-1B visa holders
Proposed $1.7 billion in funding to recruit over 1,000 international researchers
Launched 3 new talent streams focused on:
AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity
Health, biotech, and clean tech
Arctic research, food security, and resilience technologies
While these aren’t Express Entry streams yet, applicants may become eligible for PR through Canadian work experience in these fields.
Takeaway: High-skilled researchers and tech professionals will find new immigration doors opening in 2026.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for 2026 Express Entry
IRCC’s 2026 priorities show a clear trend toward candidates who are already contributing to Canadian society or bring high-demand skills. Whether you’re a healthcare worker, trades person, tech expert, or French-speaking professional — this is the time to prepare.
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