OTTAWA, APRIL 11 — The Canadian government has unveiled a significant proposal to restructure its flagship immigration system by merging the three existing federal economic programs into a single consolidated pathway. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Forward Regulatory Plan for 2026-2028, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program will be repealed to make way for a unified “federal high-skilled immigration class.”
The government stated that the transition aims to reduce the complexity of the Express Entry system, which was first established in 2015. Officials noted that the objective is to create a more streamlined process that aligns more closely with the current requirements of the Canadian labor market. Under the new framework, baseline eligibility will be standardized, requiring applicants to possess at least one year of skilled work experience, a high school education, and a minimum language proficiency of CLB 6.
“The goal is to simplify a system that has become increasingly complex and better align immigration with current labour market needs,” the regulatory document affirmed. The proposed changes would remove the varying rules that currently distinguish the three separate streams, creating a more uniform entry point for all high-skilled candidates.
While the plan is still in its preliminary stages, stakeholders maintained that the shift could represent the most substantial structural change to Canadian immigration in over a decade. Public consultations are scheduled to commence in Spring 2026. Until these regulations are finalized and officially implemented, the IRCC confirmed that the existing Express Entry categories will remain in operation for all current applicants.
