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The Digest:

The Government of Canada has announced five new Express Entry draw categories for 2026 aimed at attracting skilled workers from Nigeria and other countries to address labour shortages and support economic growth. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab stated the new categories are designed to "meet and support Canada's evolving needs" and reflect the government's determination to "attract the best talent." The new pathways include: foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience; researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience; transport professionals (pilots, aircraft mechanics, inspectors); and highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces (military doctors, nurses, pilots). Existing priority categories continuing from 2025 include healthcare/social services professionals (nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists) and skilled trades (carpenters, plumbers, machinists).

FULL LIST OF 2026 EXPRESS ENTRY CATEGORIES:

  1. Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience
  2. Researchers with Canadian work experience
  3. Senior managers with Canadian work experience
  4. Transport professionals (Pilots, Aircraft mechanics, Aircraft inspectors)
  5. Highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces (Military doctors, Military nurses, Military pilots)
Continuing from 2025:
  • Health care and social services (Nurse practitioners, Dentists, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Chiropractors)
  • Skilled trades (Carpenters, Plumbers, Machinists)

Canada's 2026 Express Entry categories prioritise medical doctors, researchers, transport professionals, and military personnel with Canadian experience.

Sources: The Nation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada