Immigration to Canada
February 2026, the Liberal immigration department of Canada introduced a new priority category under the Express Entry system aimed at attracting foreign skilled military personnel to settle in the country.
The move highlights the growing importance Ottawa places on recruiting internationally trained defense specialists. The initiative is also reflected in the government’s recently released Defense Industrial Strategy, which identifies immigration pathways for skilled military personnel as a key component of Canada’s long-term national defense planning.
To meet the work experience requirements for the Skilled military recruits category, Express Entry candidates must have:
- A minimum of 10 years of continuous service (in a recognized foreign military); and
- Work experience and training corresponding to one of the three eligible occupations under this category:
- Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC* 40042);
- Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC 42102); or
- Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC 43204).
Each of these occupations is discussed in further detail below.
*The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is Canada’s national system for describing and categorizing all occupations within the country’s industries and sectors.
Immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s immigration minister with Lebanese roots, announced a one-time measure that will grant permanent residence to 33,000 foreign workers.
According to the government website of Canada, the program will be implemented over two years and is intended for temporary foreign workers currently employed in specific in-demand sectors. The initiative will place particular emphasis on workers living in rural areas, although the government has not yet announced the detailed eligibility criteria.
According to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, the government has set a target of 380,000 new permanent residents per year for 2026, 2027, and 2028. In addition, the plan allows for approximately 150,000 temporary foreign workers annually during the same period.
The question is under what criteria these new immigrants will be selected, especially under the Express Entry pathway for former military personnel. What exactly is the government planning? Against whom would such forces be used? Are there already trained foreign military members waiting for immigration paperwork to be completed? Perhaps Chinese? Is it a good idea to recruit people with no roots in Canada to help protect the country? Or does the policy serve a different purpose?
We should be very cautious at this moment. The disarming of the civilian population alongside the growing militarization of the government in Canada creates a dangerous combination—one that history has repeatedly shown can lead to tragic consequences.
DB
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March 12, 2026 @ 6:16 am
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