Canada Express Entry 2026 adds five new pathways to attract skilled workers, including medical doctors, researchers, and transport professionals

The Government of Canada announced five new Express Entry draw categories for 2026 on Wednesday, aimed at attracting skilled workers from Nigeria and other countries to address labour shortages and support economic growth.

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Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, delivered the announcement in Ottawa, emphasising that the new categories are designed to meet the country’s evolving workforce needs.

“Today, we are introducing new categories designed to meet and support Canada’s evolving needs and reflect our government’s determination to attract the best talent to Canada,” Diab stated.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the 2026 draws will include a new pathway for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, alongside targeted draws for researchers, senior managers, transport professionals, and highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces for roles such as military doctors, nurses, and pilots.

The full list of targeted jobs under the new Express Entry categories includes foreign medical doctors, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, pilots, aircraft mechanics, aircraft inspectors, and military personnel.

Existing priority categories continuing from 2025 include healthcare and social services professionals such as nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and chiropractors, as well as skilled trades like carpenters, plumbers, and machinists.

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The government highlighted that these measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure Canada remains competitive in attracting global talent, while addressing critical gaps in the domestic labour market.