Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, aligning with the country’s labour market needs.
For 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the list of targeted occupations for category-based Express Entry draws. This includes a new category for physicians with Canadian work experience, marking a significant expansion of Canada’s healthcare recruitment strategy.
These draws aim to attract skilled professionals in high-demand fields such as healthcare, STEM, trades, education, and agriculture.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the occupations selected for 2026, plus the newly announced physician category. By analysing job additions and removals, we explore shifting trends in Canada’s skilled worker immigration strategy and what it means for applicants.
On This Page You Will Find:
- Full list of targeted occupations for 2026
- The new 2026 physician-specific category
- Comparison of 2026 and 2024 targeted jobs
- Key trends and insights on additions and removals
- Impact on skilled workers
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
New for 2026: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
IRCC has introduced a new Express Entry category specifically for physicians with Canadian work experience. This category allows provinces and territories to nominate experienced doctors more effectively, helping address critical shortages across Canada.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, candidates must:
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years:
- at least 12 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience)
- in a single occupation listed below
- in Canada
- at least 12 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience)
- meet all requirements in the round’s instructions (details provided by IRCC for each draw)
Eligible occupations
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | TEER |
General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | 1 |
Specialists in surgery | 31101 | 1 |
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 | 1 |
This new category does not replace the original healthcare occupations in the broader 79-job list. Instead, it provides an additional, more targeted pathway for physicians with recent Canadian experience.
Full List of Jobs Targeted in Express Entry Draws for 2026
Healthcare and Social Services
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
Audiologists and speech language pathologists (31112)
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
Chiropractors (31201)
Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
Dentists (31110)
Dieticians and nutritionists (31121)
General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
Licensed practical nurses (32101)
Massage therapists (32201)
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
Medical radiation technologists (32121)
Medical sonographers (32122)
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
Nurse practitioners (31302)
Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)
Occupational therapists (31203)
Optometrists (31111)
Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (31209)
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
Paramedical occupations (32102)
Pharmacists (31120)
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
Pharmacy technicians (32124)
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (31303)
Physiotherapists (31202)
Psychologists (31200)
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
Social and community service workers (42201)
Social workers (41300)
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
Specialists in surgery (31101)
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
Veterinarians (31103)
STEM
Architecture and science managers (20011)
Civil engineering technologists and technicians (22300)
Civil engineers (21300)
Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Geological engineers (21331)
Industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321)
Insurance agents and brokers (63100)
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
Mechanical engineers (21301)
Trades
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (82021)
Floor covering installers (73113)
Painters and decorators (73112)
Roofers and shinglers (73110)
Concrete finishers (73100)
Other technical trades and related occupations (72999)
Water well drillers (72501)
Electrical mechanics (72422)
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (72402)
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401)
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
Bricklayers (72320)
Cabinetmakers (72311)
Carpenters (72310)
Gas fitters (72302)
Plumbers (72300)
Industrial electricians (72201)
Electricians (72200)
Welders and related machine operators (72106)
Sheet metal workers (72102)
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
Home building and renovation managers (70011)
Construction managers (70010)
Cooks (63200)
Construction estimators (22303)
Agriculture and Agri-Food
Butchers – retail and wholesale (63201)
Education
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100)
Instructors of persons with disabilities (42203)
Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (41221)
Secondary school teachers (41220)
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
Specialists in surgery (31101)
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
Key Trends and Insights
Expansion in Healthcare and Social Services
Canada continues to prioritise healthcare workers. The new physician-specific category for 2026 strengthens this trend, allowing IRCC to target experienced doctors more efficiently.
Shift in STEM and Tech Jobs
Canada has still excluded many traditional tech roles such as developers and data scientists. This suggests that IRCC may prefer employer-driven pathways for these roles rather than occupation-specific draws.
Reduction in Transport and Agriculture Sectors
Most transport occupations remain absent from the targeted list, continuing the decline that began in 2025. Fewer agriculture roles are included, reflecting a shift toward other labour needs.
Trades Remain Strong
Demand for trades workers continues, reflecting Canada’s need for construction and infrastructure development.
FAQ
1. What is the Express Entry occupation-specific draw?
The Express Entry occupation-specific draw targets skilled workers in high-demand fields. These draws prioritize candidates with experience in specific jobs.
2. What new occupations were added in 2025?
New occupations include social and community service workers, insurance agents, veterinary technicians, and cardiology technologists, among others.
3. What jobs were removed from the Express Entry list in 2025?
Several transport and tech jobs, such as software developers and air traffic controllers, were removed from the targeted list this year.
4. How do these changes impact skilled workers?
If your occupation is removed, you may still apply through general Express Entry draws. If added, you may have a higher chance of selection.
