Canada Plans to Scrap FSW, CEC & FST and Replace Them With a Single New Federal High-Skilled Class
Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published a major regulatory proposal to repeal the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) classes — the three streams that have underpinned Express Entry since its launch in 2015 — and replace them with a single new federal high-skilled immigration class with streamlined eligibility requirements.
What IRCC Is Proposing
On April 7, 2026, IRCC published a new entry in its Forward Regulatory Plan outlining proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). The proposal would:
- Repeal the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FST).
- Create a single new federal high-skilled immigration class with simplified, streamlined eligibility requirements.
IRCC says the existing three-class structure has effectively become a set of minimum eligibility thresholds for the Express Entry pool — meaning the separate streams no longer add meaningful differentiation. Consolidating them aims to reduce complexity for applicants, employers, and immigration partners.
The Three Streams Being Replaced
| Stream | Key Target Group | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | Skilled workers with foreign experience | Proposed repeal |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Workers / grads with Canadian experience | Proposed repeal |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Certified skilled tradespeople | Proposed repeal |
| New Federal High-Skilled Class | All high-skilled workers under one umbrella | Proposed creation |
What This Could Mean for Applicants
IRCC says the proposed changes could positively impact the Canadian economy and businesses seeking skilled workers by:
- Establishing a more diverse talent pool to fill a wider range of labour market needs
- Making the system simpler to understand for applicants, employers, and settlement partners
- Potentially removing redundant eligibility distinctions that currently differ across the three streams
No changes yet — this is a proposal
As of April 2026, the existing FSW, CEC, and FST classes remain in force. Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool do not need to take any action. Changes require public consultation, formal drafting, and publication in the Canada Gazette before taking legal effect.
Timeline: What Comes Next
- Spring 2026:Public consultations with partners, stakeholders, and the public. Details will be posted on IRCC's public consultations webpage.
- Regulatory drafting: IRCC will draft formal amendments to the IRPR based on consultation feedback.
- Canada Gazette publication: The draft regulations will be published for a mandatory public comment period before coming into force.
The initiative was first listed in IRCC's Forward Regulatory Plan on April 1, 2026, and last updated on April 7, 2026.
What Should You Do Right Now?
- Continue your application under the existing rules — FSW, CEC, and FST remain valid pathways until any changes are formally enacted.
- Monitor IRCC announcements in Spring 2026 for consultation details and any draft eligibility changes.
- Consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer if you are unsure how potential changes may affect your specific situation.
⚠️ Eligibility criteria not yet published
IRCC has not released draft eligibility requirements for the new class. The existing FSW, CEC, and FST criteria remain in effect until regulations are formally amended.
Source
This article is based on the official IRCC Forward Regulatory Plan entry published April 7, 2026: