New AI Category Under Consideration for Express Entry in 2027

If approved, the category could open a dedicated pathway for workers in AI and other highly skilled tech occupations. This would mark something of a reversal for IRCC, who removed several AI-encompassing occupations from Express Entry’s existing STEM category in 2025.

The new category could reintroduce category-based draws for tech occupations including data scientists, software engineers, programmers, and others. For now, the exact details remain undefined; IRCC will likely only confirm new categories in 2027.

In its consultation, IRCC aligns the AI considerations within Canada’s Global Talent Stream which is tied to Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

What Did IRCC Say About a Potential AI Category?

IRCC is currently running public consultations on the economic priorities that should guide Express Entry category-based draws in 2027. One of the government’s proposed priorities is attracting and retaining highly skilled international workers who can contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth.

The IRCC survey says new categories could focus on “candidates in occupations listed under the Global Talent Stream,” using technology and AI as examples.

This potential new category is directly linked to Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. According to IRCC, the strategy recognizes AI talent as “one of the country’s most important strategic assets” and aims to make it easier for AI workers to come to Canada and build long-term careers.

The strategy itself states that “accelerated entry pathways for highly skilled workers through the Global Talent Stream” are part of the plan to strengthen Canada’s AI sector. However, it included no details aside from that single line.

These statements suggest Canada may be considering an Express Entry category that would invite AI and technology workers for permanent residence. This would be in addition to the fast-track work permits provided by the Global Talent Stream, which already helps certain professionals begin working in Canada more quickly.

Which AI and Technology Workers Could Qualify?

IRCC has not published an occupation list or eligibility requirements for the proposed category. However, the consultation specifically points to the Global Talent Stream occupation list, which gives us an idea of the workers who could potentially benefit:

Notably,  there are only two National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes that specifically mention AI-related jobs. These are:

• NOC 21211, which covers data scientists, explicitly includes job titles like AI analyst, AI consultant, AI designer, and machine learning engineer.
• NOC 21232, which covers software developers and programmers, includes “artificial intelligence programmer” as an example title.

Both occupations are included in the GTS occupation list, indicating that AI occupations are well positioned to benefit if these occupations are prioritized through an Express Entry category.

It’s worth noting that Canada’s National Occupational Classification system hasn’t quite caught up to AI job titles. Some of the occupations included on the GTS list are broad, like software engineers or data scientists who don’t necessarily work in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile other AI job titles aren’t listed under any NOC codes, like, for example, AI prompt specialists. IRCC would need to decide how a new category would deal with the limitations the NOC system has in classifying AI occupations.

Doesn’t Express Entry Already Have a STEM Category?

Express Entry already includes a category for candidates with work experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations. However, the occupation list for that category has changed significantly since category-based selection began in 2023.

The original STEM category included many of the occupations most closely associated with AI and Canada’s technology sector, including data scientists, software engineers, software developers, and more. Back in 2025, IRCC removed 19 occupations from the STEM category, including most software and computer-related jobs.

The current STEM occupation list is dominated by engineering occupations:

The only remaining tech occupation is cybersecurity specialists. Meanwhile, workers in software development, data science and AI do not qualify through the 2026 STEM list. Plus, there hasn’t been a STEM category draw in more than two years.

A Global Talent Stream-aligned category could restore many of those technology occupations while also helping Canada achieve the objectives laid out in the National AI Strategy.

How Would an AI Express Entry Category Work?

A category-based Express Entry draw does not guarantee all AI workers will qualify to become permanent residents. Candidates would still have to qualify for one of the Express Entry-aligned programs and create an Express Entry profile.

Once in the pool, IRCC would identify candidates who meet the category’s requirements and rank them using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS score). The highest-scoring candidates would receive invitations to apply for permanent residence when IRCC conducts a draw for the category.

The consultation leaves several major questions unanswered. First and foremost: will this category actually happen?

Until the category is confirmed, there will be no details on further requirements. For example, what types of AI jobs will be covered? How much work experience will be required? Will the category target workers already in Canada? Is it possible that those with Global Talent Stream work permits could be prioritized? These questions would likely only be answered if and when this category is confirmed.

When Will Canada Announce Its 2027 Express Entry Categories?

IRCC has not set a date for announcing the 2027 Express Entry categories. The department announced its categories for 2025 and 2026 in late February. It’s possible that 2027 will follow the same schedule.

For now, the proposal remains part of a consultation and there is no guarantee that the category will be created. IRCC could also decide to expand the existing STEM category, or focus instead on GTS work permits, or use another permanent residence program to target workers with AI expertise.

AI and technology workers should wait for the official eligibility requirements before making plans based on the proposed category. Still, the consultation provides an early indication that Canada may once again give software, data science and other tech workers priority in Express Entry.