The biggest structural change to Express Entry since its launch in 2015 is now on the table. On April 1, IRCC quietly added a line to its forward regulatory plan that set off a wave of headlines: all three current Express Entry programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program — are being retired and replaced with a single stream.
Here's what we know so far, what's still unclear, and what you should actually do about it.
What IRCC announced
IRCC intends to merge the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP into one unified pathway called the Federal High-Skilled Class. The goal, according to the regulatory plan, is to simplify the system for applicants and employers while giving IRCC more flexibility to select candidates based on labor market needs.
The announcement came through IRCC's forward regulatory plan — not a press conference or ministerial statement. That matters because it signals the direction of policy, not a done deal. The regulatory process still has several stages to go through before anything actually changes.
What changes under the new system
Based on what IRCC has published and what CIC News has reported from stakeholder briefings, here's the picture so far:
One eligibility standard instead of three. Right now, FSWP, CEC, and FSTP each have different requirements for work experience, education, and language. The new class would have a single set of eligibility criteria. The core requirement appears to be one year of skilled Canadian work experience OR a validated job offer.
CRS stays, but gets recalibrated. The Comprehensive Ranking System isn't going anywhere — your CRS score will still determine whether you get an Invitation to Apply. But the weighting will shift. Candidates with job offers above the national median wage and those working in in-demand occupations would receive more points. Language and education points are being "recalibrated," though IRCC hasn't published the new formula.
Earnings matter more. This is the biggest philosophical shift. The current system weights education and language heavily. The new system tips toward economic outcomes — specifically, how much you earn or are likely to earn. Candidates with Canadian work experience at higher wages would score better than they do today.
Category-based draws continue. The category-based selection system introduced in 2023 will remain. Healthcare, trades, French-language, transport, and STEM draws will keep running alongside general rounds.
Timeline: when does this actually happen?
This is not imminent. The regulatory process in Canada moves slowly, and IRCC has laid out a multi-stage timeline:
| Phase | Expected timing |
|---|---|
| Public and stakeholder consultations | Spring 2026 |
| Proposed regulations in Canada Gazette Part I | Late 2026 |
| Final regulations in Canada Gazette Part II | 2027 |
| New class becomes operational | 2027–2028 |
That means the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP remain fully operational for at least another year, likely longer. If you're in the Express Entry pool right now, nothing has changed about how draws work or how you're ranked.
What this means for you right now
If you're currently in the pool: Keep doing exactly what you're doing. Your CRS score, your profile, and the draw process are all unchanged. IRCC issued over 117,000 ITAs through these programs in 2025, and draws have been running at a steady pace in 2026. Don't wait for the new system — get your score as high as possible and check where you stand.
If you have Canadian work experience: You're likely going to benefit from the new system, whenever it arrives. The emphasis on earnings and Canadian experience suggests CEC-style candidates will do well under the unified class. But that's a reason to apply now under the current system — not a reason to wait.
If you're a skilled tradesperson: The FSTP has always been a niche pathway with relatively few draws. Under the new system, trades occupations will likely be served through category-based draws rather than a dedicated program. The recent Trades draw on April 2 — 3,000 ITAs at CRS 477 — shows that IRCC is already using category draws for trades.
If you're applying from outside Canada: The shift toward valuing Canadian work experience and job offers could make it harder to compete without a connection to the Canadian labor market. If you're planning to move to Canada, consider studying or working here first to build that experience. Our study-to-PR pathway guide and work permit guide cover the main routes in.
What we're watching
A few questions that consultations should clarify:
- The new CRS formula. How much weight will earnings and job offers carry versus education and language? This is the single most important detail for applicants, and it hasn't been published yet.
- Transition rules. What happens to profiles already in the pool when the new class launches? Will they be automatically migrated, or will candidates need to resubmit?
- Provincial interaction. PNP nominations currently add 600 CRS points under Express Entry. Will that continue under the Federal High-Skilled Class?
- TEER requirements. The current FSWP requires TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations. The new class may adjust which occupational categories are eligible.
We'll update this article as IRCC publishes more details through the consultation process. In the meantime, use the CRS Calculator to check your score, and keep an eye on the latest draws — the current system isn't going anywhere for a while.