November 3, 2026: IRCC Publishes the Express Entry High-Wage Occupation List

IRCC has published the occupation list that decides who receives the new Express Entry high-wage points. On High-wage occupations and how we assess them, the list comes into effect on November 3, 2026. It is currently based on data from 2023 to 2025. The Canada.ca date-modified field on that page is October 16, 2026.

A job is high-wage when the median wage of everyone in Canada in that National Occupational Classification (NOC) is at least 1.3 times the average median wage of the overall Canadian work force. Your personal salary does not set the band.

The tables opened on October 22, 2026 contain 31 codes at twice the average median wage, 89 at 1.5 times but less than twice, and 66 at 1.3 times but less than 1.5 times. That is 186 NOC codes. Confirm the live tables. IRCC can add, remove, or move a code.

What each band is worth

The 2026 changes page sets the points. You receive the higher of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation or a qualifying job offer in an eligible occupation. You cannot add both. The factor maximum is 150 points without a spouse or common-law partner and 140 with one.

The extra work-experience amount requires at least 12 months (1,560 hours) of qualifying Canadian experience in listed occupations. It can be continuous or broken, full-time or the equal amount of part-time. Overlapping jobs count only up to 30 hours a week.

Work-length points still sit on top of that extra amount, up to 80 points without a spouse or common-law partner and 70 with one, inside the same maximum. A job offer that is not on the list scores 0 for these Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. The points walkthrough covers the formula. It does not reproduce this NOC list.

Occupations readers ask about

These titles are copied from the official tables:

A similar title is not the same code. Software engineers (21231) and web developers (21234) sit in different bands. Power system electricians (72202) and industrial electricians (72201) do too. Match the NOC on your employment letter or job offer to the code on the list.

The date that controls your band

The list takes effect on November 3, 2026. If it changes after an Invitation to Apply, IRCC keeps the level in force on the invitation date, including a code that moves, drops off, or is added later. The day the job started does not freeze the band.

Profiles are recalculated when the points take effect. IRCC says that can take up to two weeks, and rounds pause during the recalculation.

A job offer can still support Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades eligibility when the occupation is not listed. Those program rules and these CRS points are assessed separately.

What to check before November 3

1. Read the NOC on the letter or offer. Do not guess from a job title.
2. Find that code on the official list, then count 12 months (1,560 hours) if you want the 70, 40, or 20 points.
3. For offer points, the offer must be valid under Express Entry and on the list. Add it to the profile before November 3 if it is missing.
4. Keep letters that show the NOC, hours, and dates.

A missing code can stay in the pool. It does not earn these points. Language, education, and a provincial nomination are separate.

For a review of your NOC, Canadian work history, or job offer against the November 3 list, contact JSR Immigration & Legals through the consultation page or the Express Entry and work permit pages.

This article is general information current to October 22, 2026, and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the live occupation list and point rules on Canada.ca before you act.