Top IRCC Candidates 2026: Who Will Stand Out?

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-67912321-4394-800f-9338-1bf86c9134d8-0" data-testid="conversation-turn-118" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> IRCC candidates in 2026 with experience in healthcare, research, skilled trades, and French-language proficiency are expected to gain strong advantages under Canada’s evolving immigration framework.

Throughout 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced multiple initiatives that clearly signal which economic immigrants Canada intends to prioritize in 2026. These changes reflect a long-term strategy focused on labor shortages, in-Canada talent, and high-impact sectors.

1. In-Canada Applicants With Canadian Work Experience Candidates already living and working in Canada continue to receive strong preference, particularly through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry .

CEC candidates must have at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience within the last three years. In 2025, CEC was the second most frequent draw category after PNPs, issuing 30,850 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) .

Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan confirms plans to transition up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, reinforcing continued preference for in-Canada applicants.

2. Healthcare And Social Service Professionals Healthcare remains one of Canada’s most critical priority sectors due to nationwide shortages.

In February 2025, IRCC expanded its healthcare category to include social service occupations, widening eligibility beyond traditional medical roles. By the end of 2025, IRCC had issued 14,500 ITAs through healthcare-based draws, making it the second-largest category after French-language selection.

Provinces continue to prioritize healthcare through PNPs, including:

British Columbia’s Health Authority Stream

Alberta’s Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

Nova Scotia’s announced healthcare-focused priorities for 2026

IRCC also reserved 5,000 federal nomination spaces for provinces to nominate licensed physicians with qualifying job offers. These physicians benefit from 14-day expedited work permits, allowing them to work while awaiting PR.

3. New Express Entry Category For Physicians On December 8, 2025 , IRCC launched a new Express Entry category for physicians with recent Canadian work experience.

To qualify, candidates must have:

At least 12 months of continuous full-time Canadian work experience

Experience within one of three designated physician occupations

Eligibility under an existing Express Entry program

Category-based draws historically have lower CRS cut-off scores, improving PR chances for internationally trained physicians. Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed these draws will begin in early 2026.

4. French-Speaking Candidates French-language proficiency continues to be one of the strongest advantages in Express Entry.

In 2025, French-language draws issued 42,000 ITAs, the highest total among all draw types. CRS cut-off scores in these rounds were consistently lower than general draws.

Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 9% Francophone admissions outside Quebec in 2026, up from 8.5% in 2025.

5. Skilled Trades Workers Skilled trades remain a national priority due to labor shortages in construction and infrastructure.

In February 2025, IRCC added 19 new occupations to the Trades category. In March 2025, the federal government announced plans to welcome up to 14,000 construction workers, though the pathway type remains unspecified.

Provinces continue running targeted PNP draws for:

Electricians

Plumbers

Carpenters

Construction contractors

These occupations were highlighted during 2026 Express Entry consultations as essential to Canada’s long-term economic stability.

6. Researchers And High-Value Talent Canada renewed its focus on attracting global research and innovation talent in 2025.

Budget 2025 introduced fast-tracked pathways for select H-1B visa holders , with plans to recruit over 1,000 international researchers supported by $1.7 billion in funding.