On This Page You Will Find
- Why Canada is considering an Express Entry category for H-1B visa holders
- How a new H-1B pathway could work
- Canada’s proposed focus on AI and international talent
- Why existing Express Entry occupation categories could become narrower
- The current Express Entry categories
- What could happen to French-language selection in 2027
- When Canada could announce its 2027 Express Entry categories
- Frequently asked questions about Express Entry in 2027
Canada is considering a new Express Entry category for US-based H-1B visa holders while potentially narrowing some of its existing occupation-based categories in 2027.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched consultations on the economic priorities that could shape Express Entry category-based selection next year.
The proposals point towards a more targeted Express Entry system – one that competes for highly skilled international talent while concentrating labour-shortage selection on a smaller number of occupations.
Among the most significant proposals is an accelerated permanent residence pathway for H-1B visa holders currently working in the United States.
IRCC is also considering Express Entry categories connected to artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, Global Talent Stream occupations and internationally recruited researchers.
At the same time, the department says limited admissions space could require it to reduce the number of labour-shortage categories or narrow the occupations included within them.
The consultation opened on August 4 and runs until September 1, 2026.
No new Express Entry categories have yet been approved. The proposals indicate the federal government’s priorities under consideration for 2027 rather than new immigration pathways that candidates can currently apply through.
Canada Targets H-1B Visa Holders Through Express Entry
One of the most notable proposals would use Express Entry to attract skilled workers currently based in the United States.
The H-1B visa allows US employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that generally require highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Many H-1B holders work in technology, engineering, science and other highly skilled occupations.
Canada has previously tried to attract this group.
In July 2023, the federal government launched an open work permit specifically for H-1B visa holders in the United States. The program reached its cap of 10,000 applications within two days.
The latest proposal could take a different approach by using Express Entry to provide an accelerated route to permanent residence rather than simply offering temporary work authorization.
However, IRCC has not yet announced detailed eligibility requirements.
Important questions remain, including whether candidates would need Canadian work experience, whether specific occupations would qualify and whether applicants would first need to enter the Express Entry pool.
Express Entry Could Target AI And Emerging Technology Workers
The H-1B proposal forms part of a broader federal effort to attract highly skilled international workers.
IRCC is considering priorities connected to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as Canada looks to strengthen its ability to compete internationally for workers in rapidly developing sectors.
Other areas under consideration include Global Talent Stream occupations and internationally recruited researchers.
The government is also examining how Express Entry could support its wider International Talent Attraction Strategy.
Together, the proposals suggest Canada could increasingly use Express Entry not only to address domestic labour shortages, but also to recruit workers with skills considered important to the country’s longer-term economic competitiveness.
Health care, skilled trades and other priority sectors also remain part of the consultation.
Canada Could Narrow Express Entry Occupation Categories
While Canada considers new ways to attract global talent, IRCC is also questioning whether its existing labour-shortage categories have become too broad.
The department says limited permanent residence admissions space could require the government to reduce the number of labour-shortage categories or decrease the number of eligible occupations within individual categories.
This could represent an important change in the direction of category-based selection.
Instead of using Express Entry to target a broad range of occupations experiencing shortages, IRCC could focus federal selection on a smaller number of areas facing the most serious workforce pressures.
The department is asking whether Express Entry should place greater emphasis on the severity of labour shortages, occupation skill levels and wider government priorities.
It is also considering whether federal immigration selection should avoid duplicating provincial immigration programs.
What Are The Current Express Entry Categories?
Canada currently uses category-based selection to invite Express Entry candidates who meet specific economic or demographic priorities.
The categories include:
- French-language proficiency
- Health care and social services occupations
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
Category-based selection operates alongside other Express Entry invitation rounds.
Candidates must qualify for one of the federal programs managed through Express Entry and have an eligible profile in the pool before they can receive an invitation through category-based selection.
IRCC periodically reviews the categories and the occupations included within them.
The 2027 consultation therefore does not mean that any current category or occupation will definitely disappear.
Instead, it signals that the government is considering a more selective approach when determining where to use limited permanent residence spaces.
Why Canada Could Focus On Fewer Occupations
Canada has reduced its overall permanent residence targets compared with the levels previously planned, increasing competition for available immigration spaces.
The federal Immigration Levels Plan targets 380,000 permanent resident admissions in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
With fewer admissions available, the government faces decisions about which economic priorities should receive the greatest share of permanent residence spaces.
IRCC’s consultation suggests it could respond by concentrating category-based selection on occupations where shortages are particularly severe or where immigration aligns closely with federal economic priorities.
Provincial nominee programs could play a greater role in addressing more localized labour shortages.
This would allow federal Express Entry selection to concentrate on national priorities while provinces and territories continue selecting immigrants according to their own workforce needs.
French-Language Express Entry Selection Likely To Remain Important
French-language proficiency is likely to remain a major Express Entry priority in 2027.
Canada has progressively increased its targets for French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec.
The target rises from nine per cent in 2026 to 9.5 per cent in 2027.
Express Entry category-based selection has become an important tool for helping the federal government work towards its Francophone immigration targets.
That makes French-language selection different from occupation-based categories that primarily respond to labour-market needs.
While IRCC is consulting on how to narrow or refocus labour-shortage selection, Canada’s separate commitment to increasing Francophone immigration means French-language proficiency is likely to remain central to Express Entry.
What Could Express Entry Look Like In 2027?
The consultation points towards an Express Entry system balancing two different objectives.
The first is addressing Canada’s most important domestic labour shortages. Instead of maintaining large lists of eligible occupations, the government could concentrate invitations on a smaller number of areas with the greatest need.
The second is competing internationally for highly skilled workers.
Potential selection targeting H-1B visa holders, AI professionals, emerging technology workers and researchers would move Express Entry further towards proactive international talent recruitment.
That could create a more focused system in which some existing occupation categories become narrower while new categories target workers with skills the federal government considers strategically important.
However, candidates should not make immigration decisions based on the proposals alone.
IRCC has not approved an H-1B Express Entry category or confirmed which existing categories and occupations will remain in 2027.
The consultation closes on September 1, 2026. The federal government will then consider the feedback as it determines its Express Entry priorities for the following year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada creating an Express Entry category for H-1B visa holders?
Canada is considering an Express Entry category that could provide an accelerated permanent residence pathway for H-1B visa holders based in the United States. However, the proposal remains under consultation. IRCC has not yet confirmed the eligibility criteria, launch date or whether the category will proceed.
Would H-1B visa holders need Canadian work experience?
IRCC has not yet published detailed eligibility requirements for a potential H-1B Express Entry category. It therefore remains unclear whether Canadian work experience would be required. Any future category would operate within Express Entry, meaning candidates would likely need to meet the requirements of an Express Entry-managed immigration program.
Which Express Entry categories could change in 2027?
IRCC has not identified specific categories or occupations that it plans to remove. It is considering whether labour-shortage selection should focus on fewer categories or a smaller number of occupations. Current occupation categories include health care and social services, trades, education, STEM and transport.
Will Canada continue French-language Express Entry draws in 2027?
French-language proficiency is likely to remain an important Express Entry priority because Canada’s target for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec rises to 9.5 per cent in 2027. Express Entry category-based selection has become an important mechanism for supporting the federal government’s Francophone immigration objectives.
When will Canada announce the 2027 Express Entry categories?
IRCC’s consultation runs from August 4 to September 1, 2026. The department will use the feedback as it develops its economic immigration priorities for 2027. It has not announced a specific date for confirming the final categories, so candidates should wait for an official IRCC announcement.