Canada opens new residency paths for military recruits and other workers

The federal government announced new permanent-residence streams for researchers with Canadian work experience, transportation workers, and skilled military recruits. A separate Express Entry stream for foreign-trained doctors with Canadian work experience will begin accepting applications this week.

Canada is adding new permanent-residence streams for selected groups of workers alongside existing specialized pathways. Officials framed the moves as complementary to federal initiatives on research, trade, supply chains and the defence industrial strategy. Ottawa previously announced an Express Entry stream for foreign-trained doctors in December, and the first round of applications for that stream will begin this week, Diab said. Key points: - New categories announced include researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience. - A transportation workers category will cover trained pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors, among others. - A skilled military recruits category will allow eligible recruits with a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces — including doctors, nurses and pilots — to be invited to apply for permanent residence, Diab said. - These additions are described as being in addition to existing specialized streams for health and social services workers and for trades such as carpenters and machinists. - The announcement is tied to broader federal actions, including a defence industrial strategy and a $6.6-billion Buy Canadian plan announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, which the government said aims to boost domestic defence production and associated jobs. Summary: Officials said the new streams target sectors reported as being in critical need and are linked to broader innovation and defence initiatives. The Express Entry stream for foreign-trained doctors will begin its first application round this week. Undetermined at this time.