Canada Express Entry in 2026

Express Entry manages three federal economic immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Creating a profile is not a permanent-residence application and does not guarantee an invitation.

Eligibility is different from CRS

FSWP uses a separate 67 points out of 100 selection-factor threshold after the minimum requirements are met. That 67-point grid is not the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to rank profiles in the pool.

CEC generally requires at least 1 year / 1,560 hours of qualifying paid Canadian skilled work experience in the three years before application. FSTP generally requires at least 2 years / 3,120 hours of qualifying trade experience in the five years before application plus the program's job-offer or Canadian certificate-of-qualification condition.

CRS and 2026 category selection

As of 25 March 2025, IRCC no longer awards CRS points for job offers. Job offers can still matter where a program's eligibility rules require them.

Current 2026 category-based selection includes French-language proficiency and occupational categories covering healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience and skilled military recruits.

Proof of funds usually applies to FSWP and FSTP unless an official exemption applies, while CEC normally does not require settlement funds.

A qualifying provincial nomination can materially change an Express Entry profile, but the nomination and federal PR application remain distinct steps.

Verified against IRCC on 18 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Canada