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Canada is adjusting its immigration system to attract workers with profiles that better respond to the current needs of its labor market.
The Express Entry program will grant additional advantages to certain candidates with Canadian work experience or job offers in occupations considered high-wage.
The measure is part of the Canadian government's strategy to reinforce sectors with skilled labor shortages, boost economic growth, and facilitate the selection of immigrants who have better chances of successfully integrating into the country's labor market.
What is changing in Express Entry?
Starting November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates will be able to receive additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) if they have eligible Canadian work experience or a qualified job offer in high-wage occupations.
According to Canadian authorities, the objective is to give more weight to factors related to better economic and labor outcomes for new permanent residents.
In addition, the processing of job offers within the system will be simplified. Authorities will eliminate the requirement to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for certain job offers to generate additional points within Express Entry or to meet the requirements of federal programs for skilled workers and specialized trades. However, the government will continue to verify the authenticity of offers and will apply measures to prevent fraud.
The profiles that Canada wants to attract
According to official information from IRCC, a high-wage occupation is one where the median income reaches at least 1.3 times the average salary of the Canadian workforce. These occupations cover strategic areas for the national economy, especially health, engineering, technology, education, and specialized trades.
Among the professionals and workers listed in the highest-paying occupations are:
- Sector salud
- Médicos especialistas.
- Médicos generales y de familia.
- Dentistas.
- Farmacéuticos.
- Optometristas.
- Veterinarios.
- Psicólogos.
- Ingeniería y tecnología
- Ingenieros civiles.
- Ingenieros mecánicos.
- Ingenieros eléctricos y electrónicos.
- Ingenieros industriales.
- Ingenieros de software.
- Arquitectos.
- Gerentes de sistemas informáticos.
- Analistas y consultores de sistemas de información.
- Educación
- Directores de escuelas.
- Profesores universitarios.
- Profesores de educación postsecundaria.
- Especialistas en políticas educativas.
- Oficios especializados
- Electricistas industriales y de construcción.
- Supervisores de construcción.
- Supervisores de mantenimiento.
- Gerentes de obras.
- Técnicos especializados en distintos sectores industriales.
- Transporte y otras áreas calificadas
- Pilotos de aeronaves.
- Controladores de tráfico aéreo.
- Capitanes y oficiales de embarcaciones.
- Directivos del sector transporte.
Why is Canada looking for these workers?
Canadian authorities explained that the country competes globally for specialized talent and needs to bring in workers who help strengthen both the economy and public services. The intention is to select candidates with skills that respond to the real needs of companies and sectors facing difficulties in filling vacancies.
Over the last few years, Canada has announced specific measures to attract doctors, health professionals, researchers, specialized trades workers, transport experts, and education professionals, sectors identified as priorities for the country's economic development.
What happens if you already have an Express Entry profile
Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool will not have to create a new application. The Canadian government indicated that CRS scores will be recalculated automatically as the new rules come into effect.
However, those who wish to receive points for an eligible job offer must update their profile information before the deadline set by immigration authorities. The update and recalculation process could take approximately two weeks, during which time invitation rounds will be temporarily suspended.
Express Entry remains the primary pathway to permanent residency
Express Entry continues to be the main system through which Canada manages permanent residence applications for programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and part of the Provincial Nominee Program.
The changes announced by the Canadian government confirm an increasingly clear trend: prioritizing the arrival of immigrants with experience in well-paid jobs and strategic sectors.
Health professionals, engineers, technology experts, teachers, and specialized trades workers are among the profiles with the greatest opportunities within Express Entry, a system that seeks to connect the needs of Canadian companies with qualified talent from all over the world.
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