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. transport

5. Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations

6. 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 2025–2027.

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 was a one-time golden opportunity introduced by the Canadian Immigration Department to meet the annual permanent resident targets during the pandemic since they were unable to admit new immigrants from outside Canada.

Temporary residents in Canada should not put their hopes in or expect a new TR-to-PR program.