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High-Demand NOC Codes In Canada For PR In 2026
Last Updated On: February 21, 2026
In 2026, Canada tightened its immigration strategy, moving away from "general" draws and focusing heavily on Category-Based Selection. If your occupation falls under these high-demand NOC codes, your path to Permanent Residency (PR) is significantly faster, often requiring lower CRS scores than the general pool.
Below are the priority NOC codes for 2026, categorized by the current Express Entry and Provincial (PNP) target sectors.
1. Top In-Demand Healthcare NOCs
Healthcare remains the #1 priority for 2026. The government has even introduced a specific category for foreign doctors with Canadian experience.
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| 31301 | Registered Nurses & Psychiatric Nurses | 1 |
| 31102 | General Practitioners & Family Physicians | 1 |
| 33102 | Nurse Aides, Orderlies & Patient Associates | 3 |
| 31120 | Pharmacists | 1 |
| 41300 | Social Workers | 1 |
| 32101 | Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
2. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Despite a brief pause in early 2025, STEM draws are back in full force for 2026 to support Canada’s AI and tech growth.
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| 21220 | Cybersecurity Specialists | 1 |
| 21231 | Information Systems Analysts | 1 |
| 21234 | Web Developers and Programmers | 1 |
| 21300 | Civil Engineers | 1 |
| 21310 | Electrical & Electronics Engineers | 1 |
| 22310 | Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technicians | 2 |
3. Skilled Trades (Construction & Infrastructure)
Canada is facing a massive housing shortage, making construction trades a "fast-track" ticket to PR.
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| 72310 | Carpenters | 2 |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial) | 2 |
| 72300 | Plumbers | 2 |
| 72106 | Welders and Related Machine Operators | 2 |
| 72400 | Construction Millwrights | 2 |
| 22303 | Construction Estimators | 2 |
4. Transport & Logistics (Newly Prioritized)
A major update for 2026 is the re-prioritization of the transport sector to fix supply chain issues.
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| 73300 | Transport Truck Drivers | 3 |
| 72600 | Air Pilots, Flight Engineers & Instructors | 2 |
| 72404 | Aircraft Mechanics and Inspectors | 2 |
| 72410 | Auto Service Techs (Truck & Bus Mechanics) | 2 |
5. New Specialized Categories For 2026
In February 2026, the Minister of Immigration announced three brand-new categories for PR selection:
- Senior Managers (NOC 00012 – 00015): Specifically those with at least one year of Canadian management experience.
- Researchers (NOC 41200, 41201): University professors and research assistants to drive innovation.
- Military Recruits (NOC 40042, 42102): Highly skilled foreign nationals recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Summary Checklist For PR Success In 2026
- The One-Year Rule: As of 2026, the minimum work experience for category-based draws has been raised from six months to one year (within the last 3 years).
- French is a "Cheat Code": If you have even moderate French skills (NCLC 7), the French-language proficiency category continues to have the lowest CRS cut-offs in the entire system.
- PNP Synergy: Provinces like Ontario (OINP) and Saskatchewan (SINP) are now syncing their draws almost weekly with these specific NOC codes. If your NOC is on this list, apply for a Provincial Nomination to get an automatic +600 points.