Maple News reports a government update effective February 18, 2026, which now requires Express Entry applicants to have at least 12 months of work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years to qualify for any occupational category. Importantly, this experience may be non-consecutive.
Previously, candidates needed six months of continuous work experience within the last three years.
The change applies to all Express Entry occupational categories and is tied to category-based draws, which are more likely to invite candidates to apply for permanent residence.
What remains unchanged is that the work experience must be earned within the last three years, must be in a single eligible occupation, and must be earned as full-time work (defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week). The duration can also be met through part-time work if the hours are accumulated to equal 30 hours per week on average over a longer period (for example, 15 hours per week for 24 months). Hours beyond 30 per week do not add extra credit.
Eligible work experience can be gained in Canada or abroad, except for categories that specifically require Canadian work experience. For Canadian experience, applicants cannot count time spent while enrolled as a full-time student, including co-op terms.
Maple News also notes there is a dedicated explainer on the Express Entry overhaul for applicants seeking more detail. To gauge eligibility for all streams and categories, applicants should review the official guidelines and consider consulting immigration professionals as needed.