Canada plans major overhaul of Express Entry, may scrap key immigration streams

Canada is set to undertake one of the biggest reforms to its economic immigration system since the launch of Express Entry in 2015, with a proposal to replace three major visa streams with a single, unified pathway.According to a brief announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the government is considering repealing the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Class, and introducing a new federal high-skilled immigration category with “streamlined eligibility requirements.”The move aims to simplify a system that has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, with overlapping criteria across programmes. IRCC adds that the proposed changes could help create a more diverse talent pool and make the process easier for applicants and employers to navigate.The reform is still at a preliminary stage, with public consultations scheduled for Spring 2026. Implementation, if approved, is likely to take several months, meaning current applicants will not be immediately affected.Also read: A guide to Canadian permanent residence – French emerges as ‘golden ticket’; those with work experience in Canada have an edgeExperts say the overhaul reflects shifting labour market needs and could mark a fundamental reset of how Canada selects high-skilled immigrants.