Top high-paying jobs to improve your PR chances in Canada in 2026

In 2026, Canada is refocusing its economic immigration policy by targeting select, high-paying jobs through the category-based Express Entry system. The relocation is intended to address labour shortages in major non-healthcare sectors and provide prospective foreign employees with a faster path to permanent residence (PR).

Within this targeted selection system, applicants are eligible to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in preference to others in the Express Entry pool based on work experience in one of six targeted occupations. The policy indicates Ottawa's interest in aligning immigration with the current needs of the labour market, which are mostly construction, technical trades, and financial services.

The Six Occupations in Focus

The priority list consists of jobs that are not only in high demand but also offer competitive remuneration across the provinces. These occupations are:

• Construction estimators

• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

• Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

• Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanics

• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

• Insurance agents and brokers

Such jobs usually require college degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, or one-year professional education programs rather than higher university qualifications. That renders them available to experienced professionals with practical experience and trade qualifications.

These positions also have good salaries. The median annual compensation is usually between CAD 62,000 and CAD 79,000, depending on occupation and location. In certain provinces,professionals with extensive experience can earn over CAD 100,000 per year,especially in specialised mechanical or engineering positions.

How Category-Based Express Entry Works

The Express Entry system of Canada handles applications that follow three primary streams of economic immigration, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class. The candidates generate online profiles and are ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which gives points on the basis of age, proficiency in the language and work experience.

Nonetheless, category-based draws are unlike general rounds. In contrast to selecting candidates based on general CRS scores, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds specific draws to which people who meet certain occupational or skill-based requirements may apply.

This applies to the six identified occupations, where workers may be invited with lower CRS scores than the general draw cut-offs. The focus is no longer on overall competitiveness but on sector demand.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under these occupation-specific draws, applicants must satisfy the core Express Entry requirements and certain job-specific requirements. Key requirements include:

• Being eligible for one of the three federal Express Entry programs.

• A minimum of six months of occupational, full-time experience in one of the enumerated occupations, during the last three years.

• Experience as per the official National Occupational Classification (NOC) definition of the job.

• Valid results of language tests in English or French.

• An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in case the education was obtained outside Canada.

The candidates should also have an active Express Entry profile and have the minimum CRS score for that draw. Although being a member of a priority category may improve the selection opportunities, it does not warrant an ITA.

Why These Jobs Matter

The Canadian country still experiences infrastructure development, not workforce shortages, skilled trades, and industrial maintenance. The demand has gained momentum as the country invests heavily in construction, energy, transportation, and manufacturing projects.

An example is the maintenance of machinery used in the mining, construction, and large-scale production industries, which requires the services of heavy-duty equipment mechanics and industrial millwrights. Equally, HVAC experts are in high demand as urban areas expand with housing and other commercial projects across the vast provinces.

Construction estimators are at the forefront of budgeting and cost planning of infrastructure projects, whether state-owned or privately owned. In the meantime, insurance agents and brokers contribute to Canada's growing financial and property markets.

By addressing these positions, the government intends to ensure that a lack of skills does not slow economic growth.

Benefits for Skilled Workers

The new focus is a meaningful opportunity for those international professionals who already work in Canada on temporary permits. A significant number of skilled tradespeople may not improve their CRS scores significantly due to age or education level. The categorical selection provides them with a more equal opportunity by acknowledging applied experience.

Candidates who successfully obtain an ITA are usually given 60 days to complete a comprehensive PR application. Upon approval, they will become permanent residents and will be able to live and work anywhere in Canada. Access to public healthcare, social benefits, as well as the possibility to sponsor the eligible family members, is also available to permanent residents.

Looking Ahead

The narrowly focused approach to immigration in Canada indicates a broader shift in immigration planning. What policymakers are doing is, instead of relying on generalised selection, resorting to occupation-specific draws to meet economic needs.

From 2026 onwards, subsequent changes in category-based selections can be informed by labour market trends. Proficient personnel in the trades, engineering technology, and financial services are urged to plan their documentation, ensure that their work experience aligns with NOC requirements, and have current language test results.

As demand increases in the more important technical disciplines, these six professions may be among the most effective avenues to permanent residency in Canadanext year.

For any new updates about the Canada PR opportunities, contact Aptech Visa today!

Call our well-versed team of the best immigration experts at 750 383 2132 / 91310 59075, or you can also write us at info@aptechvisa.com.

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