Canada Launches New Immigration Pathway for 33,000 Temporary Workers

Canada will introduce a new immigration pathway allowing up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers to obtain permanent residency over the next two years.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said in an interview with The Toronto Star that the programme has already been quietly launched. She noted that many migrants currently working in the country risk losing their legal status, and the new measure is intended to provide a stable route to permanent residence.

The initiative was first outlined in the federal budget last November and later reaffirmed in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Under the proposal, the government plans to grant permanent residency to as many as 33,000 temporary workers.

Officials have not yet published detailed eligibility rules or application procedures. However, the government has indicated that priority will likely be given to workers who have established ties in Canada, contribute to the tax system, and are employed in sectors considered essential. Workers in rural areas are expected to receive particular attention because of persistent labour shortages.

The new pathway follows the closure of the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident programme in November 2021. Applicants who applied through that route but are still waiting for a decision may apply for an open work permit until the end of 2026. This allows them to continue living and working in Canada while their applications are processed.

The policy forms part of a broader adjustment to Canada’s immigration system. The government plans to reduce the share of temporary residents to below five per cent of the national population, after several years of increased reliance on international students and foreign workers.

According to the latest immigration plan, Canada expects to issue 408,000 study permits in 2026. Of these, 155,000 will be granted to new students, while 253,000 will be extensions for those already in the country. The total represents a seven percent decrease compared with 2025 and a 16 per cent reduction from 2024.