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.
