Canada has updated the eligibility rules for applicants applying through its Express Entry immigration system. Beginning February 18, 2026, candidates applying under category-based selections must now demonstrate a minimum of one year of qualifying work experience.
This change significantly increases the previous threshold and may affect many individuals planning to apply for permanent residence through Canada’s skilled immigration programs.
What Has Changed in the Express Entry System
Under the new policy, applicants must now have:
- At least 1 year of work experience
- Experience in a single eligible occupation
- Work completed within the last 36 months
The work experience does not need to be continuous but must meet the total hour requirement established by Canadian immigration authorities.
How the One-Year Work Experience Is Calculated
The requirement is calculated based on total working hours rather than calendar duration.
To meet the eligibility threshold, candidates must have:
- Full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week for one year, or
- An equivalent amount of part-time work
Importantly, working more than 30 hours per week does not accelerate eligibility. Any hours worked above the weekly limit will not be counted toward the requirement.
Work Experience Must Be in One Occupation
The one-year experience must be gained in a single eligible occupation.
Applicants cannot combine different professions to meet the minimum experience requirement. This means candidates must demonstrate consistent expertise within one qualifying field.
The experience may be obtained either inside Canada or abroad, depending on the specific immigration category.
What Work Experience Does Not Count
Some types of employment will not be considered valid under the updated rules.
Work experience obtained while studying as a full-time student in Canada will not count toward the requirement. This includes:
- Work completed during full-time academic studies
- Co-operative education (co-op) placements
- Internships linked to academic programs
These restrictions remain unchanged under the new policy.
Why Canada Introduced the New Requirement
The new rule primarily affects category-based Express Entry draws, which target applicants in specific occupations such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.
By increasing the required experience from roughly six months to one full year, Canada aims to ensure that candidates have stronger professional backgrounds before receiving invitations for permanent residence.
This change may also reduce the number of eligible candidates in certain categories.
Who Will Be Most Affected
The updated requirement could impact several groups of applicants, including:
- New graduates entering the workforce
- Applicants with less than 12 months of qualifying experience
- Candidates preparing to submit new Express Entry profiles
- Individuals relying on category-based immigration draws
For applicants nearing one year of experience, the timing of their application may become particularly important.
What Applicants Should Do
Individuals planning to apply through Express Entry should:
- Confirm their occupation qualifies under Canada’s immigration categories
- Ensure they have at least one year of experience in that role
- Track the hours worked to meet the full-time equivalent threshold
- Prepare documentation verifying employment history
Planning ahead can help applicants avoid delays or ineligibility under the updated rules.
Conclusion
Canada’s decision to increase the minimum work experience requirement to one year marks a tightening of eligibility for certain Express Entry candidates.
While the overall immigration system remains unchanged, applicants must now demonstrate more extensive professional experience before qualifying for category-based permanent residence invitations.
Anyone planning to apply through Express Entry should review the updated requirements carefully to ensure they meet the new criteria.