Skilled Military Recruits – a new Express Entry category for foreign military personnel in 2026
The Skilled Military Recruits category (FSMA - Foreign Skilled Military Applicant) is a new category-based selection within the Express Entry system launched by IRCC on February 18, 2026. The program provides foreign military personnel with at least 10 years of service and a contract from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with an accelerated pathway to obtain Canadian permanent resident (PR) status. FSMA became part of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and aims to address personnel shortages in the armed forces.