Canada expands recruitment of skilled workers

by Michael Scott

It appears that the pendulum is swinging back to attracting more skilled workers from abroad. For a long time IRCC was intent on cutting down the number of temporary residents, especially study permit and work permit holders, but things are changing. The Canadian economy needs skilled immigrants, and the country is taking action to achieve this end. On February 18, 2026, Minister Lena Metlege Diab issued a news release explaining a new initiative under her department to attract and retain highly skilled immigrants through the International Talent Attraction Strategy.

The minister announced her department’s 2026 categories under the Express Entry system. The initiative allows Canada to invite candidates with the skills and experience needed to fill critical labour shortages in key sectors and occupations. In addition to their efforts to attract foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, the immigration department announced its intention to pursue a number of new categories:

• Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience;
• Candidates with work experience in transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and technicians;
• Highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian armed forces in key positions such as military doctors, nurses and pilots.

IRCC will continue to invite candidates with strong French language skills and those with experience in healthcare, social services, including nurse practitioners, chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists and psychologists. The department is also focused on the skills trades with carpenters, plumbers and machinists as targets.

Minister Diab explained, “Canada’s future depends on a workforce ready to meets the challenges of a changing economy. By refining Express Entry to focus on the skills our communities truly need, we are strengthening our labour market, supporting provincial priorities and ensuring newcomers can contribute from day one.”

In more specific terms, the occupations in demand include senior managers (NOC 00015), service managers in transportation, construction, production and utilities, as well as senior managers (NOC 00014) in trade, broadcasting and senior managers (NOC 00013) other service areas, health, education, community services, and senior financial managers (NOC 00012) in financial and communication. The department is also seeking researchers under NOC 41201 with experience in post-secondary teaching, university professors and lecturers and research assistants. Many of the applicants are currently inside the country and available to fill these occupational areas.

In terms of the skilled military, the department is hoping to attract operations members (NOC 43204) and members with specialized experience (NOC 42102) including those who are commissioned officers (NOC 40042) in the Canadian Armed forces. For transportation, IRCC is seeking pilots, flight engineers and instructors (NOC 72600). For ground transportation, the department is seeking automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics under NOC 72410. Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404) and aircraft instrument and avionics electrical and mechanical technicians (NOC 22313).

The minister also announced the first draw for physicians with Canadian work experience, which were added to the Express Entry categories in December 2025. The department will continue to prioritize candidates with French language capabilities as well as health and social services qualifications. The category based eligible occupations shall continue to be supported. This category is the favoured one for foreign based applicants. It is important to note that the department has placed a minimum of one year work experience as a basic requirement, which must have been obtained within the past three years. The military recruitment requires applicants to be serving in a recognized foreign military service with at least 10 years of continuous service and present a full-time job offer for at least three years with the Canadian armed forces and have a post-secondary credential from a program of at least two years in length.

The Express Entry program continues to be the major federal application system for permanent residence application as the government continues to support the economic goals of the government. It is significant to note that opportunities exist for applicants from inside the country or outside the country. The Express Entry will continue to select candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All programs require a minimum of one year related experience in high skilled occupations, at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 levels and a minimum of language proficiency in English or French. Important to note that married candidates will also have their spouses and partners included in their CRS scores. IRCC continues to promote Express Entry as the best way to attract skilled workers needed by the Canadian labour market.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.