IRCC has launched a new round of public consultations to help shape the categories and priorities it will use for Express Entry invitations in 2026. Category-based draws, introduced in 2023, allow Canada to target candidates who meet specific labour-market and francophone priorities—think health care, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, and strong French proficiency. The 2026 consultation is an opportunity for employers, provinces, settlement organizations, and individual applicants to influence which skills are emphasized next year.

Why this matters: Express Entry still runs standard “all-program” draws, but category-based rounds can dramatically change who receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at a given time. If your work experience or language profile lines up with the selected categories, you may be invited with a lower CRS than in general rounds. Conversely, if your profile falls outside the focus areas, you might need to bolster your points (e.g., improve language scores, secure a job offer/Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or obtain a provincial nomination).

What IRCC is asking: The department typically requests feedback on which occupations face persistent shortages, how quickly skills needs are evolving, and where francophone talent is most needed outside Quebec. It also considers regional shortages identified by provinces and territories and the experiences of newcomers integrating into the workforce. This is more than a box-checking exercise; the categories selected often track closely with evidence submitted through these consultations.

What you can do now:

• If you’re an employer or sector body, prepare specific examples of positions that are chronically hard to fill, including wage data, vacancy rates, and unsuccessful local recruitment efforts.

• If you’re a candidate, take a hard look at your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, duties and language scores. If your NOC aligns with recent categories (health, STEM, trades, transport, agri-food) or you’re francophone, you may want to prioritize testing and document readiness so you’re “ITA-ready” if categories roll over similarly in 2026.

• Consider a dual strategy: keep optimizing CRS (for general rounds) while also aligning your profile to likely categories—e.g., upgrading French (TEF/TCF), completing Canadian credential recognition, or seeking experience/job offers in shortage occupations.

Bottom line: Category-based selection is now a core part of Express Entry. Staying close to these consultations helps you anticipate future draws rather than reacting after the fact. If you want tailored advice, we can assess your current NOC, language plan, and province strategy, then map the best route to an ITA in 2026.

Source: IRCC consultation notice/backgrounder on category-based selection for Express Entry. Canada.ca