Canadian work experience will be mandatory for doctors, researchers, and senior-level managers.
Are you moving to Canada in 2026? Canada has lately announced big changes to its Express Entry immigration system. These changes are critical for skilled workers and professionals in the GCC (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and nearby countries). This detailed information from Navigate Migrate, your trusted immigration consultants, explains the most essential changes, new categories, and what you need to know to do well with Canada Express Entry in 2026.
Read our blog on: Canada Express Entry 2025 Analysis, Winning Profiles & PR Outlook for 2026
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced major changes to the Express Entry system on February 18, 2026. The modifications include five new Express Entry categories and stricter work experience requirements. These adjustments are in line with Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy.
Key Points:
High-demand fields and individuals with prior work experience in Canada or another country are the focus of Canada’s Express Entry for 2026. These are the five new groups:
1. Doctors who have worked in Canada
2. Researchers who have worked in Canada
3. Senior Managers with Work Experience in Canada
4. People who work in the transportation industry
5. Recruits with military skills
These groups are designed to assist elite individuals in contributing to Canada’s economy from the outset.
Starting in 2026, all occupation-based Express Entry draws will require at least 12 months of relevant work experience (increased from the previous 6-month requirement). The required experience may be obtained either in Canada or abroad; however, it must accurately correspond to the appropriate National Occupation Classification (NOC) code.
Canadian work experience will be mandatory for doctors, researchers, and senior-level managers.
Note: Cooks are no longer eligible under the trades category in 2026.
Doctors (NOC Codes That Work)
Some examples of job titles are family doctor, general surgeon, cardiologist, paediatrician, anaesthesiologist, neurosurgeon, medical officer, and more.
Researchers (Valid NOC Codes)
For instance, the roles could include those of a professor, lecturer, research assistant, graduate assistant, lab supervisor, department head, and so on.
Senior Managers (NOC Codes That Work)
Some examples are Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Dean, Chief Risk Officer, and others.
Jobs in transport (NOC codes that work)
Some examples are avionics technician, aircraft inspector, car mechanic, airline pilot, and so on.
Valid NOC Codes for Skilled Military Recruits
Requirements: Atleast 10 years of military service, an employment offer from the Canadian Armed Forces, and a degree from a college or university.
There are still other Express Entry categories open in 2026.
Along with the newly introduced categories, the following categories remain in place under Express Entry:
For the complete and most up-to-date list of eligible occupations for Express Entry 2026, applicants should refer to the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
With the help of Express Entry, candidates can apply for permanent residency through several streams:
The IRCC uses category-based selection to find people who can fill Canada’s most in-demand job openings in 2026. Invitations to Apply (ITA) are based on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ratings and whether or not you meet the requirements for certain categories.
1. Check Your NOC Code: Make sure your employment fits the codes and duties that are allowed.
2. Check Work Experience: Most want at least 12 months of it.
3. Update Your Profile: Make sure your employment experience, education, and test scores are all up to date.
4. Take a language test, like the IELTS or CELPIP for English or the TEF or TCF for French.
5. Get an ECA: If you went to school outside of Canada, you need to get an Educational Credential Assessment.
6. Stay up to date: Read the news and invitation rounds from IRCC.
7. Talk to Experts: Navigate Migrate’s specialist consultants can help you with your specific needs in the GCC region.
Navigate Migrate helps talented individuals and professionals from the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries to move to Canada successfully. We help you with every step of the journey, from checking your eligibility and getting your documents ready to optimizing your Express Entry profile and helping you after you arrive.
Are you ready to begin your adventure to Canada PR?
Call Navigate Migrate for a free eligibility check. Our experienced immigration consultants are here to help you!
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