The new plan brings several notable shifts: a return to the Federal High Skilled category, a growing emphasis on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and a continued focus on helping those already in Canada make the jump to permanent residency. At the same time, the targets for French-speaking candidates remain strong, highlighting how language and labour-market priorities continue to drive selection through Express Entry. 

In this breakdown, we take a closer look at what the new plan means for Express Entry, from program allocations and category-based draws to what applicants both in and outside Canada can expect in 2026. 

Where Express Entry Fits into the New Plan 

Express Entry and its related programs fall under the Federal High Skilled category, part of the economic immigration section in Canada’s new immigration levels plan. If that term sounds familiar, it’s because Federal High Skilled was the label IRCC used for years to group together the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). 

Last year, IRCC temporarily moved away from the Federal High Skilled category, introducing the In-Canada Focus and Federal Economic Priorities streams instead. While those specific labels are now gone, the programs they represented haven’t disappeared, they’ve simply been folded back under the Federal High Skilled umbrella. 

What Express Entry gets in 2026 

So, what’s in it for Express Entry? In 2026, the Federal High Skilled category, which includes all Express Entry programs, gets an allocation of 109,000 spots, with a range between 85,000 and 120,000. On the surface, that looks solid. But when you compare it to last year’s combined allocations for the In-Canada Focus and Federal Economic Priorities streams (124,680 spaces), it’s actually a bit of a dip. 

This reduction doesn’t spell trouble for Express Entry, but it does point to a realignment within economic immigration, especially as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has grown in its share of allocations. 

The In-Canada Focus: gone, but not forgotten 

IRCC’s decision to drop the In-Canada Focus label doesn’t mean fewer opportunities for those already here on temporary status. Between January and August 2025, almost 140,000 temporary residents transitioned to permanent residence, which accounts for about 50% of new permanent residents during that time. 

In her November 5, 2026, media briefing, Immigration Minister Lena Diab emphasized that her department will continue to prioritize foreign nationals already living and working in Canada for permanent residency over those applying from abroad.  

Adding to that, in Budget 2025, IRCC has proposed an accelerate pathway to PR for work permit holders. This new pathway will help up to 33,000 workers make the transition to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027, particularly those in rural or high-demand sectors. So while the “In-Canada Focus” name might have vanished from the levels plan, the intent behind it clearly hasn’t. 

You can read more on the Work Permit Holders Accelerated Pathway to PR here. 

Federal Economic Priorities: Categories- Based Draws 

Unlike last year’s levels plan, this one doesn’t spell out specific Express Entry categories. Instead, it simply acknowledges that the immigration minister can establish categories.  

This, along with recent IRCC communications, including it’s social push on Express Entry we expect all six current categories to remain in play: 

• French-language proficiency 
• Healthcare and social services 
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) 
• Trades 
• Agriculture and agri-food 
• Education 

IRCC has also hinted at expanding category-based draws to include new areas of expertise. Among those being floated for 2026: 

• Leadership and Senior Management 
• Researchers and Scientists 
• Highly Skilled Military Recruits 

You can read more about these new categories here. 

The Return of the PNP 

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is getting a major boost under the new immigration levels plan. Targets have jumped from 55,000 to over 90,000 for 2026, a huge increase that gives provinces a bigger role than ever in shaping Canada’s immigration priorities. 

And because some PNP nominations are issued through the Express Entry system, we can’t talk about Express Entry allocations without considering PNP levels too. The two systems are closely connected, and shifts in one often influence the other. 

What remains unclear is how these additional spots will be distributed among provinces, or how many will be reserved for Express Entry–aligned streams. The latter breakdown is not made public. Still, past data gives us a hint of what to expect: so far in 2025, about 43% of all PNP admissions have come from Express Entry–aligned programs, meaning the majority still flow through non–Express Entry streams. 

This expanded PNP allocation marks a clear return of the provinces as key players in economic immigration and suggests more candidates may want to look at PNP options alongside Express Entry in the years ahead. 

Read more about the return of the PNP in 2026 

French-Speaking Candidates 

If there’s one group that’s truly dominated the Express Entry pool this year, it’s French-speaking candidates. In 2025 alone, they’ve received around 36,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), a standout figure compared to other draw types and a clear sign of how strong the focus on French-language proficiency has been. 

That emphasis isn’t going away, but the target for 2026 has shifted slightly. Under the new immigration levels plan, the government’s goal for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec moves from a notional 9.5% to a 9% target. It’s a modest dip, but it signals that IRCC is looking to maintain rather than expand this focus after a record-setting year. 

That’s not to say learning French should be dismissed. There are still around 30,000 spots allocated for French-speaking newcomers, roughly the same size as the proposed accelerated work permit holder program, underscoring that French language proficiency remains one of the most consistent and powerful pathways through Express Entry. 

What This Means for In-Canada Express Entry Applicants in 2026 

For those already in Canada, the outlook for 2026 is still encouraging. Even without the “In-Canada Focus” label, IRCC has made it clear that people already contributing to the Canadian labour market will continue to have an edge. 

If you’re already here, keep your Express Entry profile active and competitive. Make sure your language test results and work history stay up to date, and watch for new opportunities as IRCC rolls out the Work Permit Holders Accelerated Pathway to PR. This program alone could help up to 33,000 workers make the transition to permanent residency, and it’s designed with in-Canada applicants in mind. 

It’s also a good time to pay attention to PNPs. With record-high allocations for 2026, provinces will have more freedom than ever to select candidates who are already in their local labour markets. If you’ve built experience in a specific province or have an employer connection, that could put you in a very strong position. 

What This Means for Applicants Outside of Canada in 2026 

For candidates applying from abroad, the 2026 landscape looks more competitive than ever. The biggest question on everyone’s mind: will we see general draws next year?  

The new levels plan gives no indication that IRCC intends to ramp up general draws, and based on current patterns, it’s unlikely we’ll see a return to them anytime soon. 

Even if general draws do happen, expect the CRS cut-offs to be extremely high. So unless you qualify for a category- based draw, or you are willing to learn French, for those outside Canada, the smarter move may be to focus on the provinces. The expanded PNP allocations mean more room for nomination opportunities, including for overseas applicants who match provincial labour priorities. 

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