IRCC consults on Express Entry categories for 2027

From August 4 to September 1, 2026, IRCC asked for input on which categories Express Entry should target in 2027.

What happened

On August 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opened a public consultation on the economic priorities and categories for category-based selection in Express Entry for 2027. Responses were due by September 1, 2026.

The survey keeps the three priorities used in 2026: addressing long-term labour shortages (health care, trades, education, STEM and transport), attracting and retaining top talent, and supporting francophone immigration outside Quebec. It also raises new ideas: the accelerated pathway for U.S. H-1B visa holders announced in Budget 2025, the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, and expanding the Global Talent Stream for highly skilled AI workers under the National AI Strategy. IRCC is also considering narrowing the number or eligibility of the labour shortage categories.

Who is affected

The consultation matters most to people planning to enter the Express Entry pool in 2027 or later, including H-1B professionals in the United States, researchers, health care and trades workers, and French-speaking candidates.

What it means

This is a consultation only. No rules have changed, and the 2026 categories remain in place. Based on past practice, the 2027 categories are usually announced early in the year, but IRCC has not confirmed a date. Whether an H-1B category will be created, and on what terms, is still undecided. Stronger language results, especially in French, and relevant work experience remain useful under any outcome.

Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.