Ottawa updates Express Entry to include military recruits

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada added new Express Entry categories to allow highly skilled foreign military applicants and other targeted occupations to seek permanent residency, officials said. The change follows the federal defence industrial strategy and the government did not publish numeric targets for military recruits.

The federal government revised its Express Entry selections to make it easier for highly skilled foreign military applicants and other targeted workers to obtain permanent residency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the new categories on Wednesday. Officials presented the move as part of a broader emphasis on strengthening the defence sector and came a day after the government unveiled a defence industrial strategy. The government did not set specific numeric targets for military recruits. Key details: - The new category for "highly skilled foreign military applicants" targets recruits brought in by the Canadian Armed Forces in roles such as military doctors, nurses and pilots. - Additional new categories are aimed at researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience and applicants in transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors. - IRCC said it will continue to use categories for French-language proficiency, STEM fields, health care and skilled trades, and recently created a category for international medical doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience; the first selection of medical doctors is expected in the coming days, the department said. - The announcement followed Prime Minister Mark Carney's $500-billion defence industrial strategy, which the government says is intended to boost Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities. - Federal data from March 2025 showed 65,700 regular armed forces members and 23,450 primary reserve members, leaving a shortfall of about 12,350 against current targets; a Department of National Defence report from September 2025 reported particular shortages of fighter pilots. - Category-based selection of Express Entry candidates began in 2023 and has drawn criticism from some experts, who say it adds uncertainty to the system and may bypass higher-scoring candidates in favour of those with specific work experience. Summary: The government says the changes will direct permanent-residency invitations toward specific skills that it views as needed for the Canadian Armed Forces and other sectors. Officials did not announce target numbers for military recruits. Undetermined at this time.