Support for military personnel: a future priority in Express Entry 2026

Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed that three new categories are coming, and one of them is awaiting the signature of the Minister of Immigration to come into effect: this is the category focused on the Armed Forces, aimed at professionals who provide support to this institution. 

This means that they could live in Canada if they have experience in technical, engineering, or logistics occupations that the system identifies as essential support, whether they obtained it in the civilian or military sector.

In this blog, we will discuss the types of support profiles we are looking for. Read to the end and find out if you qualify.

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New categories for Express Entry 2026

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Over the past three years, we have seen the enormous importance of category-based selection in the Express Entry system. 

This year, the categorySupport to the Canadian Armed Forces is expected, along with two more:

• Leadership (Leadership - Managers).
• Innovationand Research.

The categories in effect as of the date of publication of this article are: 

• French-language proficiency.
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
• Agriculture (Agriculture and agri-food).
• Healthcare.
• Transportation.

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About the category: Armed forces support personnel Importing military personnel or strategic support?

At first glance, one might think that Canada is going to start importing military personnel, and some may wonder whether the government will allow military personnel from other countries to work directly as armed forces on Canadian soil. However, this is not the case; the reality is quite different.

What Canada is proposing is that experienced foreigners can provide support to its military forces. 

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When Canada mentions that it is seeking personnel to support its armed forces, the real objective is to fill vacancies in specific occupation codes that are experiencing shortages. 

For example:

A mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineer who has worked in the civilian sector, such as an automobile factory or commercial aviation, may qualify in exactly the same way as long as their profession is on the support list. 

The use of language related to the military or defense sector is due to Canada's desire to transfer skills to meet its national security needs. 

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Profiles that would fall into this category

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• Engineering and trades: mechanics, electrical engineers, electronics engineers, aerospace engineers, and heavy equipment maintenance.
• Technology and cybernetics: specialists in cybersecurity, networks, computer systems, data analysis, and software designers.
• Health: medicine, nursing, psychiatric health, and paramedics with a focus on military and civilian use.
• Logistics and transportation: inventory management, purchasing managers, production logistics, and truck drivers.
• Administration and others: finance, human resources, and intelligence.

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Migration expectations 

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Although the category is yet to be officially approved, it is important to remember that in immigration, time is of the essence, and any improvement in your profile always counts in Express Entry.

Therefore, if after preparing with expectations in this pathway, the candidate does not qualify, the work is not lost. On the contrary, they may still be invited by the STEM, Health, or Francophone categories, provided they meet the requirements. 

The key to receiving an invitation through Express Entry is to have a strong profile, with competitive language skills, education, and experience.

In our video: New Priority in Canada, Military Forces can supplement this information.

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Would you like to know if your profile qualifies for the new categories? At Immiland Canada, we can guide you.

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Immiland Canada Immigration Services

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We are CICC-regulated consultants and Canadian lawyers. Our job is to advise immigrants on how to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the correct channel and in a way that suits their circumstances. 

If you need to improve your profile, you can fill out our free form. Once you receive a response in your email, you can schedule a consultation.

I hope this topic will be useful in helping you improve your profile and obtain permanent residence in Canada in 2026. 

Thank you for reading. Don't miss our next blog post on: List of essential occupations for permanent residency in 2026.

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With love,

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Immiland Canada