Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is collecting public feedback on the economic priorities that could shape category-based selection under Express Entry in 2027.
The consultation examines whether Canada should give greater attention to highly skilled international workers connected to strategic government initiatives, including H-1B visa holders, researchers and artificial intelligence professionals.
IRCC is also reviewing the future of categories designed to address long-term labour shortages and is considering whether some categories or eligibility requirements should become more narrowly targeted.
The consultation runs from August 4 to September 1, 2026.
These are proposals under consideration. IRCC has not announced the final Express Entry categories, eligible occupations or selection rules for 2027.
Quick Summary
| Question | Current information |
|---|---|
| What is IRCC reviewing? | Economic priorities and categories for Express Entry selection in 2027 |
| Is this a final policy announcement? | No. The government is conducting a public consultation |
| When does the consultation close? | September 1, 2026 |
| Which talent groups are being considered? | H-1B visa holders, researchers, AI talent and workers connected to broader talent-attraction strategies |
| Are labour-shortage categories continuing? | IRCC is considering continuing them, but may narrow the number of categories or their eligibility |
| Will Francophone selection remain important? | IRCC is considering maintaining its focus on French-speaking immigration outside Quebec |
| Do the proposals change current profiles? | No immediate change has been announced for existing Express Entry candidates |
Candidates should continue following the current 2026 rules until IRCC publishes approved categories and eligibility requirements for 2027.
What Is Category-Based Express Entry Selection?
Express Entry manages applications under three federal economic immigration programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class;
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program; and
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates who qualify for at least one program enter the Express Entry pool and receive a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
IRCC may then issue invitations to apply for permanent residence through:
- General invitation rounds;
- Program-specific rounds; or
- Category-based rounds.
Category-based selection allows IRCC to prioritize candidates with particular language abilities, work experience, skills or training connected to an identified economic objective.
Being eligible for a category does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Candidates must still qualify for an Express Entry program and meet the requirements that apply to the invitation round.
What Is IRCC Considering for 2027?
IRCC has identified three broad priorities for the consultation:
- Addressing long-term labour shortages;
- Attracting and retaining highly skilled talent; and
- Supporting economic growth through Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
The department says it must consider these objectives alongside sustainable immigration levels, domestic capacity and the need for a well-managed immigration system.
1. A More Targeted Approach to Labour Shortages
Category-based selection has been used to support sectors facing long-term labour shortages, including:
- Health care and social services;
- Trades;
- Education;
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
- Transport; and
- Other occupations selected for a particular economic priority.
IRCC is considering whether Express Entry should continue selecting workers across a broad range of shortage occupations or concentrate on a smaller number of more targeted priorities.
The department has not confirmed which existing categories will remain in 2027. It has also not released a final list of occupations that would qualify next year.
This distinction is important. A category appearing in the consultation does not guarantee that IRCC will retain it, hold invitation rounds for it or preserve its current eligibility requirements.
2. H-1B Visa Holders
Budget 2025 included a commitment to develop an accelerated pathway for certain H-1B visa holders working in the United States.
The government describes H-1B holders as foreign workers employed in specialty occupations. They are often associated with technology, STEM, health care, research and advanced industries, although the visa category is not limited to those fields.
IRCC is now considering how the government’s H-1B talent initiative could inform category-based Express Entry selection in 2027.
No dedicated Express Entry category for H-1B visa holders has been approved. IRCC has not yet published final eligibility requirements, an opening date, an application process or a guaranteed permanent residence pathway.
H-1B holders should therefore treat this as a policy direction under consultation, not as an active immigration program.
3. Researchers and International Talent
IRCC is examining how its International Talent Attraction Strategy and the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative could connect with Express Entry.
The research initiative is intended to help Canada recruit international researchers in strategically important fields and strengthen the country’s scientific and economic competitiveness.
Areas associated with Canada’s research and talent initiatives include:
- Advanced digital technologies;
- Artificial intelligence, quantum technology and cybersecurity;
- Health and biotechnology;
- Clean technology;
- Climate resilience and the Arctic;
- Food and water security;
- Advanced manufacturing and materials; and
- Defence and dual-use technologies.
The consultation does not create a new researcher category or replace the current rules. Any final occupation list, Canadian work-experience requirement or selection standard would need to be announced separately.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Global Talent
Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy identifies skilled AI professionals as an important part of the country’s economic and innovation strategy.
IRCC’s consultation refers to the expansion of the temporary-worker Global Talent Stream as one initiative that could help attract and onboard highly skilled AI talent.
The government is considering whether Express Entry could complement these temporary pathways by providing clearer opportunities to transition selected talent to permanent residence.
However, working in AI or using the Global Talent Stream does not currently guarantee an invitation through Express Entry. Candidates must continue to meet the rules of an existing federal immigration program.
For information about employer-supported pathways, applicants can review Always Canada Group’s work permit guide.
Francophone Immigration Is Expected to Remain Important
IRCC is considering maintaining a strong focus on French-language proficiency for 2027.
The government views Francophone immigration outside Quebec as an important part of supporting bilingual communities, regional labour needs and economic growth.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan established targets for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec of:
- 9% in 2026;
- 9.5% in 2027; and
- 10.5% in 2028.
The government has also committed to increasing French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec to 12% by 2029.
These admission targets help explain why French-language proficiency remains a significant policy priority. They do not guarantee a particular number of Express Entry draws or invitations.
Under the current 2026 category rules, French-language candidates must have eligible test results showing at least NCLC 7 in all four language abilities. IRCC could maintain or change this requirement for 2027, so candidates should wait for the final instructions.
What Does Not Change Today?
The consultation does not immediately change:
- The eligibility rules for the three Express Entry programs;
- A candidate’s current Comprehensive Ranking System score;
- The validity of an existing Express Entry profile;
- Current language-testing or educational credential requirements;
- The 2026 category definitions;
- Current eligible occupation lists; or
- The way candidates respond to an invitation to apply.
IRCC also states that this consultation is separate from the broader Express Entry reform consultation that closed in May 2026 after receiving more than 17,000 submissions.
The department is still analyzing feedback from that earlier consultation. Candidates should avoid treating unapproved reform proposals as current law.
Who Should Pay Attention?
The consultation may be particularly relevant to:
- Skilled workers in health care, trades, education, STEM and transport;
- Researchers and post-secondary professionals;
- Artificial intelligence and emerging-technology specialists;
- H-1B visa holders working in the United States;
- Global Talent Stream workers and employers;
- French-speaking and bilingual candidates;
- Former international students and temporary workers in Canada;
- Employers and industry associations facing long-term skills shortages; and
- Express Entry candidates planning their profiles for 2027.
A candidate may qualify for more than one category. For example, a French-speaking health care worker could potentially meet both a language-based category and an occupation-based category, depending on the final rules.
Can the Public Participate?
Yes. IRCC’s official consultation page invites individuals, organizations and stakeholders to complete an online survey.
Responses must be submitted by September 1, 2026.
Participants may comment on:
- Which economic priorities Canada should address through Express Entry;
- Whether labour-shortage selection should remain broad or become more targeted;
- Which types of highly skilled talent should receive priority;
- Whether selection should focus on candidates inside Canada, outside Canada or both; and
- Other priorities the government should consider.
Submitting feedback does not create an immigration application and does not improve an individual candidate’s chance of receiving an invitation.
Practical Next Steps for Express Entry Candidates
Candidates planning for 2027 can prepare without assuming that any proposed category will be approved.
- Confirm eligibility for at least one Express Entry program.
- Keep language test results valid and consider retesting if a higher score is realistic.
- Obtain or update an educational credential assessment when required.
- Review work-experience letters and ensure duties align with the correct NOC.
- Maintain records showing dates, hours, wages and responsibilities for each position.
- Confirm whether current experience fits any 2026 category.
- French-speaking candidates should document eligible French-language results.
- H-1B holders should retain evidence of their visa status and specialized work history.
- Researchers should organize employment, publication, education and research records.
- Avoid changing career or immigration plans based only on consultation proposals.
- Monitor IRCC’s official category-based selection page for the final 2027 announcement.
- Keep an existing Express Entry profile accurate and updated.
- Review recent invitation rounds through the Always Canada Group Express Entry tracker.
- Obtain individualized advice if several federal or provincial pathways may apply.
What Applicants Should Remember
IRCC’s consultation gives an early indication of the economic priorities that may influence Express Entry in 2027, but it does not establish new immigration rights or guarantee new categories.
The strongest signals are a continued focus on French-speaking immigration, a more strategic approach to labour shortages and possible alignment with initiatives targeting H-1B holders, researchers and AI professionals.
Final categories, eligible occupations, work-experience requirements and invitation patterns will only be known after IRCC completes the consultation and publishes an official decision.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Express Entry categories, eligible occupations and selection requirements may change. Review the current IRCC instructions or consult a qualified Canadian immigration professional before making decisions about an application.
