IRCC to Replace FSW, CEC, FSTP With Single Federal High Skilled Immigration Class

The proposed changes would eliminate the three federal immigration classes — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) Class. Instead, it would introduce a single, unifiedfederal high skilled immigration class with streamlined eligibility requirements.

If that happens, it would be the most significant structural change to Canada’s economic immigration system since the Express Entry system was launched in 2015.

Key Takeaways 

• IRCC is proposing to replace the FSW, CEC, and FSTP with a single new immigration class.
• The proposed federal high skilled immigration class will have streamlined eligibility requirements, although further details have not been released.
• This is a proposed regulatory amendment. Public consultations are planned for Spring 2026.
• According to IRCC, the proposed changes could positively impact the Canadian economy and make the system easier to understand and navigate.

The Proposed Federal High Skilled Immigration Class

To enter the Express Entry pool, you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria for one of the three key economic immigration classes: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program for skilled workers with foreign experience, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for people with Canadian work experience, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) specifically for trades workers.

Since 2015, the minimum eligibility criteria for the three programs have acted as gatekeepers for Express Entry. You can only enter the Express Entry pool and receive an ITA under these programs if you meet the minimum requirements.

The IRCC is now proposing to remove that three-program structure entirely and replace it with one unified federal high skilled immigration class. The intent, based on the regulatory proposal, is a system that is simpler to navigate and draws from a broader talent pool.

IRCC’s 2026-2027 departmental plan hinted at broad Express Entry reforms, including changes to CRS points. The current proposed amendments do not cover CRS scoring or rankings. It’s only a proposed change to the economic immigration classes that candidates qualify under.

Details and eligibility criteria of the proposed new class, in terms of work experience, education, language scores, or occupation, have not been announced yet.

What This Means for Canadian Immigration

The FSWP, CEC, and FSTP all pre-date the Express Entry system, which launched in 2015. The three programs were introduced separately, in 2002, 2008, and 2013, each designed to address different gaps in the labour market. Consolidating them into one class would be the biggest structural change to the system since Express Entry itself launched.

Over the last few years, IRCC’s reliance on the FSW and FSTP has decreased significantly. In fact, the last general draw, covering all three programs, was in April 2024. The last standalone FSW draw was in February 2023 and there hasn’t been a dedicated FSTP draw since August 2020. This means that candidates meeting the minimum eligibility criteria for the FSW and FSTP could still enter the Express Entry pool but could only receive ITAs under category-based selection (French-language or occupation-based).

The proposed amendments would allow IRCC to establish a standard eligibility threshold to enter the Express Entry pool. Currently, the three programs have different bars for entry.

• The Canadian Experience Class has the lowest bar: one year of skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada within the past three years and a minimum language score of either CLB 7 or CLB 5, depending on your NOC TEER.
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires two years of skilled trades experience (only selected NOC groups qualify) in the past five years, plus at least a CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing. Candidates also need either a valid full-time job offer of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in the trade from a Canadian province or territory.
• The Federal Skilled Worker program requires a minimum of 67 points on the FSW selection factor grid. The selection factor grid, which is unique to the FSW program, allocates scores for education, age, language, work experience, arranged employment, and adaptability. You also need at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience within the past ten years, and language scores at CLB 7 or higher.

By repealing the three classes and introducing one federal high skilled immigration class, IRCC would unify minimum eligibility criteria for all candidates. This would make the system easier to understand and more responsive to labour market needs.

We do not yet know what the new eligibility criteria will look like. However, given that the threshold for category-based selection was recently raised from six months of work experience to one year, we expect candidates will continue to require one year of skilled work experience.

It is likely that language requirements will be aligned with NOC TEERs, like they currently are for CEC. However, this will only be confirmed once more information is released.

Is IRCC Changing the CRS Points System?

Not at present. The proposed amendments only plan to repeal the three economic immigration classes and replace them with a federal high skilled immigration class.

However, IRCC’s departmental plan for 2026-2027 suggested upcoming changes to how CRS points are rewarded. Specifically, it mentioned bringing back CRS points for job offers, and possibly rewarding candidates in high-wage and regulated occupations.

Unlike the eligibility for the economic classes, the CRS points system is not explicitly governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Changes to CRS points and the Express Entry system can be made through Ministerial Instructions, which can be issued by the Minister without public consultations.

How Does IRCC Plan to Diversify the Pool to Meet Labour Market Needs?

One of the stated objectives of this proposed amendment is to create a diverse pool of foreign talent to fill a wide range of labour market requirements.

Finding a balance between diversity and quality will be key. Simply lowering the minimum eligibility threshold would lead to a flood of candidates in the Express Entry pool. As of March 29, 2026, there are over 230,000 candidates in the pool, with almost 80,000 candidates with a score under 400.

It is likely that eligibility changes will go hand-in-hand with changes to CRS scoring. For instance, additional points for experience in certain regulated occupations or valid job offers could help improve the quality of candidates in the pool.

Will Candidates in NOC TEER 4 and 5 Occupations Qualify?

No, NOC TEER 4 and 5 are typically not considered high-skilled. Since the regulatory amendments propose a high skilled immigration class, it is likely that only candidates in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations will continue to qualify.

Will Applicants Need Proof of Funds Under the Federal High Skilled Immigration Program?

Although IRCC has not released details about the eligibility requirements for the proposed federal high skilled immigration program, we expect that candidates without Canadian job offers or Canadian work experience will still need to show proof of settlement funds.

Currently, CEC candidates are exempt from the proof of funds requirement. However, FSW and FSTP candidates without a valid Canadian job offer and authorization to work in Canada must show proof of funds.

Will French-Language Draws Continue under the Proposed New Stream?

Francophone immigration remains a key priority for the government, so we expect French draws to continue. However, the minimum eligibility criteria to enter the Express Entry pool will likely change when the amendments are approved.

Currently, French-speaking candidates must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for one of three programs — FSW, CEC, or FSTP — to enter the Express Entry pool. Under the new class, the eligibility threshold will change.

What CRS Scores Can We Expect Under the New High Skilled Program?

This proposal is not about changing how CRS points are awarded or draw types, although those changes could happen independently from this proposal.

It is difficult to predict what CRS cut-offs will look like by the time the new high skilled immigration class is introduced. The process of amending regulations can take up to a year, and the composition of the Express Entry pool can change significantly in that time.

We don’t know whether category-based draws, which often have lower cut-offs, will continue under the new class. It is also possible that changes will be made to the CRS scoring system in the meantime, which could completely change the picture of the pool.

Should This Update Change Your Immigration Strategy?

Based on the limited information currently available about this new program, you should not change your immigration strategy just yet.

That said, it is important to stay aware of potential developments and expect further changes in the coming months. Once more details are released, you can reassess your options and determine whether any adjustments are needed.

Will Candidates in Trade Occupations Be Eligible for the Federal High Skilled Immigration Program?

Canada continues to have labour market shortages in trade occupations, so we expect tradespeople in high-skilled occupations to be included under the proposed high skilled immigration class.

Currently, the Regulations restrict skilled-trade occupations to NOC Major Groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, Minor Group 6320, and Unit Group 62200.

One potential benefit of the FSTP class being repealed could be that tradespeople under other NOC codes, such as hairstylists and shoemakers (Major Group 63) may be eligible for consideration.

What Happens Next

IRCC plans to engage with partners and stakeholders and hold public consultations in the coming months (Spring 2026). More information about the proposed regulations will be released once consultations begin.

Consultations will be the first real opportunity to understand what the new class might require and who it could advantage or disadvantage compared to the current structure.

For now, the existing programs remain in place. If you currently qualify under the FSWP, CEC, or FSTP, nothing has changed yet. The proposal is early-stage, and formal amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations would need to follow before anything takes effect.