Starting in 2026, Canada will change the rules for selecting candidates in the Express Entry system and increase the minimum work experience requirement for certain categories. This may affect the chances of many migrants planning to apply for permanent residence. Learn more about who will be affected by the new requirements and how to prepare for the changes

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Starting February 18, 2026, Canada has tightened the requirements for candidates under the Express Entry system for selections in professional categories. The minimum required work experience will increase from 6 to 12 months, which is a game changer for many professionals planning to immigrate. For some, this means the need to postpone the application, while for others it is a chance to prepare in advance and plan their career steps properly. In this article, we'll look at what exactly is changing, who will be affected by the new requirements, and how to act in order not to lose the opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Earlier, we told you who is currently eligible for an Open Work Permit in Canada after the latest changes in 2026.

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What has changed in Express Entry since 2026?

Starting February 2026, Canada is updating the rules for selecting candidates under the Express Entry system for professional categories. The main change concerns the minimum work experience. Now, to participate in the categorical selections, you need to have a full year of relevant experience over the past three years, not six months. This tightens the requirements for candidates and makes the selection more competitive for those who have only recently started their careers in their field.

This is not a change to the entire Express Entry system, but rather to category-based draws - selections for specific professional areas that Canada identifies as priorities. If a candidate's profession falls into such a category, his or her chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence may be higher. However, starting in 2026, only those who meet a new, stricter threshold in terms of work experience will be able to take advantage of this advantage. In effect, the state is signaling that it will now give preference to candidates with a more stable and proven professional background.

In the material available at the link, we have provided a detailed guide on how to find a job and get employed in Canada.

What will be the 12-month work experience requirement starting in 2026?

Starting February 18, 2026, at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the last three years will be required to participate in Express Entry categorical selections. The requirement applies to both those who have worked in Canada and candidates with foreign experience, unless a specific category has restrictions on the country of employment.

What exactly counts towards these 12 months:

- Experience must be in one relevant occupation, not several different ones

- Work experience can be intermittent, without the requirement of continuous work

- Full-time work (30 hours per week) or the equivalent of part-time work is allowed

- Only experience gained within the last three years is considered

An important nuance that often causes rejections or errors in Express Entry profiles is that overtime does not accelerate the accumulation of work experience. Even if the candidate worked 40-60 hours per week, the system will count a maximum of 30 hours per week. That is, it will not be possible to “catch up” 12 months in six months of intensive work.

It is also impossible to “add up” experience from different professions. If, for example, a candidate worked as a marketer for six months and a business analyst for another six months, this experience will not be summed up for the Express Entry categorical selection. To meet the new requirements, a year of experience in one profession from the list of priority professions is required.

How 12 months of work experience will be counted: common mistakes and nuances of work experience verification

Even if the work experience formally meets the new requirements, candidates are often eliminated due to errors in the design or calculation. In Express Entry categorical selections, work experience is checked carefully. This is especially true for the compliance of job duties with the declared profession.

The most common mistakes that can lead to work experience not being counted:

- The description of duties in the certificate does not match the occupation code

- There is no confirmation of the period of work or the number of hours

- Experience is listed in general terms, without specific dates

- The position title does not match the actual functions

A separate risk is an incorrect occupation code. If you choose the “closest in name” but not in terms of duties, your experience may not be accepted. For Express Entry, it's not what the job title sounds like, but what the candidate did at work that matters.

Another nuance is the confirmation from the employer. If the company has closed or is not ready to issue a certificate with details, the work experience may be questioned. In such a situation, it is better to collect alternative evidence in advance: contracts, payment documents, references.

Earlier, we talked about legal opportunities to live and work in Canada with International Experience Canada 2026.

What work experience does not count for Express Entry?

Not all professional experience is suitable for participation in Express Entry categorical selections. Because of this, many candidates mistakenly believe that they have already fulfilled the 12-month requirement. In fact, the system will simply not take into account some of the experience.

The experience that is not counted for Express Entry includes:

- Work while studying full-time

- Paid internships that were part of a study program

- Programs at Canadian colleges and universities

- Experience without official confirmation from the employer

Even if the internship or practice was paid, but took place during full-time study, it will not be counted. This is a common misconception among graduates of Canadian universities and colleges who rely on this experience when applying to Express Entry.

Problems also arise with informal employment. If the work was without an official contract or without supporting documents, it will be difficult to prove its compliance with the requirements. In categorical selections, such periods are usually not taken into account.

Who will be most affected by the new Express Entry rules?

The changes will be felt most strongly by candidates with little work experience. We are talking about those who have less than one year of experience in the relevant profession. For them, the application process through categorical selections is actually postponed for at least a few months.

It will also be more difficult for those who planned to apply immediately after changing jobs. Even if the profession is in a priority category, it will be impossible to participate in the selection without 12 months of experience. This forces you to plan your career steps more precisely before submitting your profile.

Candidates with already confirmed one-year experience will be less affected. The new rules will not be a barrier for them. However, competition in categorical selections may decrease. Some applicants will temporarily drop out of the candidate pool because they do not meet the new minimum.

The changes will also affect those who were counting on a quick invitation after starting work in Canada. Now the path to participation in categorical selections will be longer. This should be taken into account at the stage of immigration planning.

You can find out the details of the Quebec immigration plan for 2026-2029 and all the current changes here.

What if you do not have 12 months of experience?

If you are still short of 12 months of work experience, you should reconsider your timing of submitting your profile to Express Entry. In many cases, it is more logical to wait a few months. Submitting your profile earlier will not give you an advantage in the categorical selections if the minimum requirements are not met.

It is useful to check in advance whether your experience is relevant to the chosen professional category. Often, candidates work in a related field. Formally, the position may sound right, but the duties do not match the requirements of the system. It is better to find out before you have a full year of experience.

Another important step is to prepare documents from the employer in advance. When 12 months are reached, there will be no need to waste time on certificates and confirmations. This will allow you to update your profile faster and not miss out on potential selection.

It is also worth keeping an eye on changes in the Express Entry categories themselves. The list of priority professions may change. Even with a full year of experience, it is important that your specialty remains on the current list.

If you are planning to work abroad in 2026 and want to better understand the rules of employment, work permits, taxes, and basic employee rights, it is worth preparing for the move in advance. Visit World's practical working guide will help you navigate the current requirements, types of work permits, and steps to take upon arrival to avoid common mistakes and feel confident in your new life abroad.

We remind you! Canada has updated its 2026 student permit limits, PGWP rules, and financial requirements. Read more about the main changes for international students.

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