Canada PR 2026 - IRCC keeps tech, healthcare in Express Entry focus

Indian professionals and graduating students planning Canada in 2026 should track Express Entry category-based selection, where IRCC has listed Healthcare and social services and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) among its current categories. These category rounds are meant to complement regular draws and can prioritise candidates with work experience in specific occupations.

Key Changes Announced

IRCC’s official Express Entry category-based selection page currently lists these categories for targeted rounds:

• Healthcare and social services occupations
• STEM occupations
• Trade occupations, Agriculture and agri-food, Education
• A separate category for “Physicians with Canadian work experience”

Who qualifies for category-based draws (IRCC rule):

To be eligible for a category-based invitation, IRCC says candidates must meet Express Entry basics and also have at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a single listed occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad, plus meet round-specific instructions.

Impact on Indian Students

For Indian students, this matters in two ways:

Career planning while studying: If you are choosing between programmes, IRCC’s continuing focus on STEM and healthcare signals that work experience aligned to specific NOC codes can be a major advantage later.

PR planning after graduation: Category-based selection can favour candidates with in-demand experience, but it does not replace the need for a strong Express Entry profile (CRS score still ranks candidates), and IRCC notes categories may not be used if enough eligible candidates are being invited via general/program-specific rounds.

What PR Pathways Indians in Tech and Healthcare Should Watch

1) Express Entry category-based rounds (STEM/Healthcare):

Track category rounds and eligibility lists on IRCC’s official page.

2) Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) linked to tech needs:

• Ontario runs Express Entry-linked selections and has a “tech draws” mechanism under OINP’s Human Capital Priorities approach, aimed at candidates in the Express Entry pool with tech skills.
• British Columbia notes it uses targeted invitations and highlights the ability for tech employers to attract international talent in tech occupations where local workers are unavailable.
• Saskatchewan has an Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway requiring an eligible full-time job offer and a SINP Job Approval Letter, among other conditions.

Next Steps

Map your job title to the right NOC code and keep proof of duties, pay, and continuity—category rounds are occupation-specific and require verifiable experience.

Don’t confuse PR eligibility with licensing: In healthcare, PR pathways may exist, but regulated practice still depends on provincial licensing/credential recognition (often the real timeline risk). (This is general regulatory reality; requirements vary by province.)

Use official draw pages, not predictions: IRCC publishes each round’s instructions and results on its Express Entry rounds page.

If aiming for a PNP tech route, shortlist provinces early (Ontario/BC/Saskatchewan examples above) because many streams depend on where you study, where you can secure a job offer, and employer participation.

IRCC says category-based rounds are designed to meet identified economic goals and are chosen using labour market information and partner input. Candidates must still be eligible under one of Express Entry’s programs and are ranked by CRS even within category pools.