The Canadian government is launching a new immigration pathway that will allow 33,000 temporary foreign workers to gain permanent residency over the next few years. Find out who will be eligible for the new program, which industries will be prioritized, and how the country's immigration policy is changing

The Canadian government has launched a new immigration pathway that will allow thousands of foreign workers already working in the country to become permanent residents. The new program will allow approximately 33,000 workers to transition from temporary work permits to permanent residency over the next two years.

The initiative is part of a broader reform of the country’s immigration policy, which aims to simultaneously address the labor shortage and regulate the growth of temporary residents.

We have collected all the information currently known about the transition of expats in Canada from temporary to permanent residency in this article.

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A new path from temporary status to permanent residence in Canada

Immigration Minister Lena Diab recently confirmed that the Canadian government has already begun implementing the Temporary to Permanent Residency (TR-to-PR) program.

Although the full rules and detailed instructions have not yet been released, according to the minister, applications have already begun to be accepted, and more detailed information is expected in April 2026.

The program was first announced as part of the Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028. It is aimed at foreign workers who:

- Already live and work in Canada;

- Have experience in areas where there is a shortage of personnel;

- Have integrated into local communities.

The government plans to allocate 33,000 places in 2026-2027, which will allow many workers who might otherwise lose their legal status to remain in the country permanently.

Starting in 2026, Canada is changing the rules for selecting candidates in the Express Entry system and increasing the minimum work experience requirements for certain categories, more details can be found at the link.

Who is the Canadian immigration program primarily aimed at?

The new immigration path pays special attention to workers in industries facing an acute shortage of personnel. These include:

- Agriculture,

- Hotel and restaurant business,

- Transportation industry,

- Health care,

- Professions related to caring for people

There is also a significant emphasis on rural and remote regions, where employers find it most difficult to find workers.

For Canadian businesses, the new program could be a major solution to their staffing problems. Employers will be able to retain experienced workers who have already adapted to working in the country, instead of losing them after their permit expires.

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Why is the Canadian government launching a new program now?

The initiative comes amid significant changes in the structure of Canada’s temporary population, including government figures:

- More than 2.1 million expats’ temporary permits will expire in 2025;

- Another 1.9 million permits will expire in 2026.

This poses a serious challenge for the immigration system, as a significant number of people are at risk of losing their legal status in the country.

Introducing a new path to permanent residence will help partially address this problem while providing stability for workers and employers.

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Part of Canada’s new immigration strategy

The program is also consistent with the overall policy of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government aimed at changing the structure of immigration.

As of the end of 2025, temporary residents made up approximately 6.8% of Canada’s population. The government plans to reduce this figure to less than 5% by 2027. One of the key tools to achieve this goal is the transition of temporary workers to the category of permanent residents.

This trend is already observed - in 2025, more than half of the 395,000 new permanent residents of the country were people who were previously in Canada on temporary permits.

Two-stage immigration model

Experts note that the “soft launch” of the new program reflects the transition of the Canadian immigration system to a two-stage model. Its principle is that:

1. Foreigners first come to the country on temporary permits - to study or work.

2. After gaining experience and integration, they can apply for permanent residence.

In fact, the new program formalizes existing practices and makes the process more predictable for migrants.

What do temporary workers need to consider?

Immigration lawyers advise potential applicants to prepare in advance the documents that may be required to participate in the program. In particular:

- Confirmation of work experience;

- Tax history;

- Language test results;

- Evidence of integration into the community.

Experts also remind that it is extremely important to maintain a current immigration status. Individuals who lose legal status in the country may not meet the requirements of the new program.

The Open Work Permit in Canada remains valid in 2026, but the conditions for obtaining it have become much stricter. Read more about who is currently eligible for the Open Work Permit in Canada in our previous article.

Additional changes in Canadian immigration policy

In parallel, the government is considering new legislative initiatives, in particular, Bill C-12.

If passed, it could give immigration authorities more powers, including the ability to cancel certain immigration documents, suspend programs, and temporarily halt applications in emergency situations.

Officials emphasize that such measures will only be used in exceptional cases and will undergo several levels of review.

How will the changes in immigration policy affect international students?

The issue of temporary residents is also closely related to international students. Recently, Canada has reduced the number of student permits issued each year.

According to government officials, this is necessary to maintain the quality of education, prevent abuse of student visas, and attract students who really plan to study and obtain qualifications.

What does the new program mean for foreign workers in Canada?

For tens of thousands of foreign workers already working in Canada, the launch of a new pathway could be a real chance to build a long-term life in the country.

If fully implemented, the program could be one of the most focused economic immigration initiatives since the launch of the Express Entry system in 2015.

The government is expected to release more details about the requirements for candidates and the application process in the coming weeks. For thousands of workers who have already contributed to the growth of the Canadian economy, these changes could pave the way for a stable future in the country.

Immigration policies in countries like Canada are constantly changing, with new programs emerging, document requirements changing, and work permit rules changing. That’s why it’s important to have verified information at hand and a clear understanding of all the procedures before starting a job abroad.

Visit World’s “Work Guide” is a detailed guide that includes step-by-step instructions for applying for a work visa and work permit, a complete list of required documents, information on visa fees, application processing times, and practical advice for future expats. All information is structured in a convenient format so that you can quickly prepare documents and avoid delays or visa refusals.

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Reminder! Canada is changing its approach to business immigration: the Start-Up Visa program is no longer accepting new applications, and is being replaced by a model focused on real business results. At the same time, work visas and provincial programs remain available for foreign businessmen. We have already talked about alternative immigration paths for entrepreneurs to Canada in 2026.

Photo – Freepik.com

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