As of October 20, 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published the results of its 2026 Express Entry consultation on October 15, 2026, one day before it announced the high-wage points that start on November 3. The report draws on 17,500 survey responses and shows support for more points for Canadian work experience (84.8% wanted more) and for removing sibling points, but a split on merging the three federal programs: 41% for, 46% against. IRCC has not decided on the rest of the reform. Any further change has to be published first as proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette.
The November 3 change is step one. This page explains what the consultation found and which bigger changes may still come.
What did IRCC consult on in 2026?
IRCC asked the public between April 23 and May 24, 2026 how to redesign Express Entry's federal high-skilled programs and the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The consultation report covers an online survey, 1,021 people at information sessions, 109 roundtable participants and 42 written submissions. The proposals included merging the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) into one program, changing age and language points, removing points for a spouse and siblings, and adding the high-wage occupation points IRCC has now adopted. Our June article on the unified pathway proposal covers the proposals in detail.
The report warns that its results do not represent the Canadian population: 72% of survey respondents hoped to immigrate through Express Entry, and 90% already lived in Canada, mostly in Ontario and British Columbia.
What did people say about each proposal?
The clearest messages were more weight for Canadian work experience and fewer points for family ties. The figures below come from the survey section of IRCC's final report, which asked whether each CRS factor should get more points, fewer, or be removed.
| Proposal or factor | What respondents said |
|---|
| Canadian work experience | 84.8% wanted more points, the strongest support of any factor |
| Points for work experience in high-wage occupations | 42.3% for, 45.8% against |
| Merging FSWP, CEC and FSTP into one program | 41% for, 46% against |
| Sibling in Canada points | 45.1% said remove, the highest of any factor |
| Spouse or partner factors | General support for removing the spousal grid |
| French language points | 40.0% said fewer, 32.0% said remove |
| Minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 | Split between too high and too low |
| Age points | Concern that they hurt mid-career professionals |
Stakeholders also warned that a merged program could weaken the focus on skilled trades, and that a wage threshold misses occupations with shortages but lower pay.
Which changes has IRCC already made?
So far, only the high-wage points. On October 16, 2026, IRCC announced that from November 3, 2026, Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation earns up to 70 extra points and a qualifying job offer earns up to 100, without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). We compared the survey results with that announcement: the high-wage points went ahead even though more respondents opposed them (45.8%) than supported them (42.3%), which shows the survey is one input, not a vote. The new points apply across the FSWP, FSTP, CEC and the Express Entry part of the Provincial Nominee Program. Our article on what changes on November 3 has the full point tables.
Nothing else has changed. FSWP, CEC and FSTP remain separate programs, age, language and spouse points stay as they are, and sibling points still count.
What changes could still come?
The report does not say which other proposals IRCC will adopt. It says the feedback will be "taken into account," that the changes would need amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) and new Ministerial Instructions, and that proposed regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, before they take effect. IRCC also says it will give updates on timing and on how profiles already in the pool would be affected.
Based on the feedback and IRCC's own clarifications in the report, these are the changes to watch:
- Removing sibling points. The most popular cut, and a simple one.
- Removing the spousal grid. The report notes this would not stop principal applicants from bringing a spouse; it would change how points are counted.
- Limiting trade certificate points to trades covered by the Red Seal Program.
- Changing study-in-Canada points, possibly limited to bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees.
- A merged federal program. The least certain, given the 41 to 46 split and the concern about trades.
What should Express Entry candidates do now?
Plan for the rules that exist, not the ones that might. The November 3 change is the only confirmed one, and it pauses draws for up to two weeks while IRCC rescores the pool.
- Update your profile before November 3 if you have a job offer that may qualify for high-wage points.
- Do not count on sibling or spouse points if they are what keeps you above recent cut-offs; they are the factors most likely to go.
- Improve what the consultation favoured. Canadian work experience and language scores carry the most weight today and had strong support in the survey.
- Watch the Canada Gazette. Proposed regulations are usually open for public comment before they become final, so you should see changes coming.
Check your score with our CRS calculator and follow the latest Express Entry draws. If you want a plan built around both the current and the possible future rules, our licensed consultant can review your profile. Book a consultation, or start with the free assessment.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
