First Express Entry draw for military specialists

Canada conducts its first selection of skilled military professionals for permanent residence.

On July 23, 2026, Canada held its first category-based selection in Express Entry for skilled military professionals. Only 4 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.

The cut-off score was 368. The category was added in February 2026, and this draw was the first in its history.

Despite the small number of invitations, this draw became a significant event for the Express Entry system. It was the first draw for the new category and the smallest in the program's history.

Invited candidates must submit a complete application for permanent residence within 60 days. The application package must include language test results, proof of education, work experience documents, and other required documents.

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Who can participate in this category

The official name of the category is Skilled Military Recruits. It's not intended for all foreigners with military experience, but only for foreign military personnel who are being recruited to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

To be eligible for an invitation, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

have at least 10 years of continuous service in the recognized armed forces of another country;
have service experience and training that matches one of the Canadian Armed Forces occupational categories;
receive a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces recruiting service for permanent full-time employment for at least three years;
have education equivalent to at least a two-year post-secondary program. If the education was obtained outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) will be required.

The category is designed for a narrow group of candidates — active military personnel from other countries who have already been selected to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. Therefore, such draws will likely be held rarely and with a small number of invitations.

If you want to assess your chances of immigrating to Canada through one of the Express Entry programs, book a consultation with a licensed immigration consultant.