The new immigration rule in Canada is the implementation of the category-based Express Entry round of invitations, which manages the selection and invitation process for skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada.

The Canadian flagship Express Entry system will now focus on occupations in demand in the below-listed sectors to address the labour shortage:

1. healthcare
2. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
3. trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
4. Physicians
5. Researchers
6. Senior Managers
7. Transport
8. Skilled Military Recruits
9. Education Occupations (New Category)

You can click on the above links to get a full list of occupations with their NOC codes under each sector.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you (and any minors, if applicable) must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the five years preceding the date you submit your application.

IRCC recommends applying with more than 1,095 days of residence in Canada in case the calculation fails.

Canada has a target of welcoming 380,000 annually for 2026, 2027, and 2028, within a range of 350,000 to 420,000.

Overall, Canada will welcome close to 1.2 million new permanent residents as per the new immigration levels plan 2026–2028.

In 2026, the Express Entry system is the most expedient method of immigration to Canada. Applications submitted through Express Entry usually take six months or less to be processed.

You can check your points using the Canada Immigration points calculator or submit Canada immigration online application

In general, you would need about $20,500 CAD to immigrate to Canada as an individual candidate.

Families with children will need between $27,000 and $30,000 CAD, while couples will need about $24,000 CAD.

The TR-to-PR program is expected to open in 2026 with a one-time initiative to transition 33,000 temporary residents to permanent residents over the period of two years. Temporary residents in Canada should continue to monitor for new IRCC updates for more information on TR to PR.