Express Entry Category for Skilled Military Recruits (2026)

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has been short of personnel and recruits some trained members of allied and recognized foreign militaries. Before 2026 these recruits had no dedicated route to permanent residence. The skilled military recruits category, one of five new categories in Express Entry for 2026, fills that gap.

This category is not a way to join the CAF. It is the immigration step for people the CAF has already chosen. You cannot use it without a CAF job offer. See category-based draws for the other 2026 categories.

According to IRCC's category rules, you must:

• Be a Foreign Skilled Military Applicant (FSMA) eligible foreign national who is serving in a recognized foreign military with at least 10 years of continuous service.
• Have work experience and training aligned with the main duties of one or more of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

• Have an offer of arranged employment with the CAF, made by the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group, for continuous full-time work in Canada lasting at least 3 years in one of those NOC codes.
• Have at least a 2-year post-secondary credential. If you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). See ECA credential assessment.
• Meet all requirements in the instructions for the round, including eligibility for an Express Entry program and an active profile.

The order matters:

1. CAF recruitment first. You apply to the Canadian Armed Forces as a Foreign Skilled Military Applicant. The CAF decides whether it wants you, based on its own needs, your service record, and security screening.
2. Job offer. If selected, the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group issues an offer for at least 3 years of full-time service.
3. Express Entry profile. You create a profile showing your military experience, the offer, education, and language results.
4. Invitation. When IRCC holds a draw for this category, eligible candidates are invited.
5. Permanent residence application. You submit within 60 days of the invitation. See from ITA to COPR.

Start with the CAF, not IRCC. Information on foreign applicants is on the Canadian Armed Forces recruiting site.

No. IRCC removed all job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) on March 25, 2025. The CAF offer is an eligibility condition for this category, not a points boost. Your CRS score still depends on age, education, language, and other factors. Estimate it with the CRS calculator.

You must still meet one of the three programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the most likely fit for foreign service members. It requires 1 year of continuous skilled experience in the last 10 years, CLB 7 in all four language abilities, education with an ECA, 67 points on the selection grid, and usually proof of funds.
• The Canadian Experience Class applies only if you have Canadian work experience.

Take an approved language test early. See language tests.

Military service abroad leads to detailed background checks. IRCC assesses every applicant for security, human rights, and criminal inadmissibility, separately from the CAF's own screening. Service in some forces or units can raise questions. If you have any concern about your record, get advice from a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) before applying. See inadmissibility.

Entering the Express Entry pool is free. After an invitation, you pay IRCC's fees.

As of September 2026 (fees rose on April 30, 2026), IRCC charges these fees for economic programs such as Express Entry and the PNP, in Canadian dollars:

Biometrics cost $85 per person, or $170 for a family applying together. Check the IRCC fee list before paying, because fees change. Budget as well for language tests, an Educational Credential Assessment if you studied abroad, police certificates, and medical exams.

IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications in about 6 months after you submit a complete application. Real times vary. Check the IRCC processing times tool or our processing times page.

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 can be included in your application and become permanent residents with you. Each must pass medical and security checks.