Post by : Shakul

TORONTO: Canada has announced major changes to its Express Entry immigration system, introducing new priority categories to attract skilled professionals in key sectors. The revised rules focus on fields such as research, health care, aviation and transportation, and for the first time include certain foreign military recruits. The changes were confirmed by the government on Wednesday.

The move aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader strategy to reduce the overall number of new permanent residents while ensuring Canada continues to bring in highly skilled talent. The government said the goal is to ease pressure on housing and social services while meeting labour needs in critical industries and strengthening national defence capabilities.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the 2026 updates would help Canada attract professionals who can “contribute from day one.” The new categories include researchers, senior managers, pilots, aircraft mechanics, and foreign-trained doctors with Canadian experience. Highly skilled foreign military applicants, such as military doctors, nurses and pilots recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces, are also now eligible.

The announcement comes as Canada looks to reduce dependence on the United States and expand its defence sector. Under a new defence strategy, the government plans to significantly increase investment in defence research and development, boost industry revenues, expand exports and create thousands of new jobs over the next decade. Canada has also pledged to raise defence spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035 in line with NATO commitments.

Officials confirmed that existing Express Entry invitation rounds for French-language candidates, health-care workers and skilled trades will continue alongside the new targeted streams, ensuring continuity while shifting focus to priority skills needed for Canada’s future workforce.

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