IRCC is seeking feedback on merging CEC, FSWP and FSTP into one program and reworking CRS points.
What happened
On April 23, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opened a public consultation on potential Express Entry reforms, with responses due by May 24, 2026. The central idea is to replace the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program with a single program.
Proposed minimum requirements are: a Canadian high school diploma or foreign equivalent; CLB/NCLC 6 in reading, writing, speaking and listening; and one year of skilled work experience in a NOC TEER 0 to 3 occupation within the past three years, gained in Canada or abroad.
How CRS points could change
IRCC says it would update Comprehensive Ranking System factors based on newcomers' employment and earnings outcomes outside Quebec. The consultation identifies strong English (or English and French) skills and high earnings as a temporary resident as the strongest predictors; Canadian work experience, a Canadian job offer, university education and younger age as moderate predictors; and spousal points, sibling-in-Canada points, French bonus points and Canadian education points as weaker predictors.
IRCC is also considering new points for Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation, meaning one whose median wage is above the median wage of all Canadians. Job offer points, removed in March 2025, would return only for high-wage job offers.
What it means for candidates
These are proposals under consultation, not rules in force, and no implementation date has been announced. Any program change would first be published in the Canada Gazette. Current rules and category-based draws continue. Candidates in the pool do not need to change course, but stronger language scores help under both the current and proposed systems, and it is worth checking whether your occupation could count as high-wage.
Key points
- IRCC proposes merging CEC, FSWP and FSTP into one Express Entry program
- Proposed minimums: high school, CLB/NCLC 6, one year of TEER 0–3 experience in three years
- Language and high earnings could weigh more; some bonus points could shrink
- Nothing is in force yet; current rules still apply
Sources
Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.