Canada Raises Express Entry Work Experience to 12 Months

Canada updates its Express Entry system, requiring at least 12 months of eligible work experience within the past three years for category-based draws, effective February 18, 2026. This replaces the prior six-month continuous requirement, offering flexibility as the experience no longer needs to be continuous and can be full-time (30 hours weekly, totaling 1,560 hours) or equivalent part-time in one eligible occupation.