French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 - Draws year: 2026

Overview

Starting in 2026, following the Express Entry category reforms introduced in 2025, Canada eliminated "Healthcare occupations (Version 1)" and formally replaced it with "Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2)". Version 1 referred to earlier category-based draws that focused exclusively on traditional healthcare roles, such as physicians, nurses, and medical technicians.

Under the updated framework, Version 2 expanded and modernized the category by retaining key healthcare occupations while adding social services roles, including positions such as social workers and community service professionals, and by updating the eligible NOC codes. Overall, Version 2 represents a broader and more current approach aligned with Canada’s evolving labour market needs across both healthcare and social services sectors.