While it may benefit highly skilled professionals with strong employment prospects, it may create new hurdles for international students who previously relied heavily on points from their Canadian degrees.
The Canadian government has announced a massive structural change to its immigration system that could significantly impact thousands of aspirants from Punjab and the surrounding regions. According to the Forward Regulatory Plan 2026–2028 released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government proposes to merge three major economic immigration streams into one single pathway.
Under the new plan, the following three programs which have been the backbone of the Express Entry system since 2015 will be repealed:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
These will be replaced by a new, unified category called the “Federal High-Skilled Immigration Class.”
The goal of this overhaul is to simplify the application process and align it with Canada’s current labour market needs. To enter the new unified pool, applicants will generally need:
- At least one year of skilled work experience (either in Canada or abroad).
- A minimum language proficiency of CLB 6.
- At least a high school diploma.
By creating a single standard, the IRCC aims to remove the confusing, program-specific requirements that currently exist.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is the points system used to invite candidates is also set for a major revision. Under this, applicants with higher-paying job offers and those in high-demand occupations are expected to receive more weight.
Points for secondary factors, such as having a sibling in Canada or Canadian education, may be reduced or completely removed.
Impact on the Punjabi Diaspora
This move is being described as the most significant change to Canadian immigration in over a decade. For regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, where thousands of families plan their futures around Canadian PR, this signals a shift toward a “jobs-first” approach. While it may benefit highly skilled professionals with strong employment prospects, it may create new hurdles for international students who previously relied heavily on points from their Canadian degrees.
The proposal is currently in the planning stage. Public and stakeholder consultations are expected to begin in Spring 2026. Until these changes are officially implemented, the existing Express Entry programs (FSWP, CEC, and FSTP) will continue to operate as usual.
Aspiring immigrants are advised to keep a close watch on official updates as the 2026 timeline approaches.
