Canada Opens the Door: 33,000 Work Permit Holders to Get Permanent Residency by 2027

In a major boost for foreign workers, Canada has announced a new immigration pathway that will grant Permanent Residency (PR) to over 30,000 work permit holders by 2027.

This initiative is part of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government on November 4, 2025. The plan marks a pivotal shift — focusing on helping those already contributing to the Canadian workforce transition into permanent residents.

A Turn Toward Stability and Economic Growth

According to Budget 2025, the government’s new plan aims to stabilize temporary migration while strengthening economic immigration. The total number of permanent residents will remain steady at 380,000 for 2026, but the intake of temporary residents will be significantly reduced to balance Canada’s growing population with housing, jobs, and infrastructure needs.

What’s Changing in 2026

The government plans to lower temporary resident admissions by 43%, from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026.

Here’s the breakdown:

International student visas will be cut almost in half — from 305,900 to 155,000.
Temporary foreign worker entries will decline from 367,750 to 230,000.
The economic immigration stream will rise slightly, accounting for 64% of all PR admissions — an increase from 59% in the previous plan.

This means economic migrants — skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals — will make up nearly two-thirds of Canada’s new permanent residents.

Focus on Local Labour Needs

Officials noted that the plan is designed to align immigration with Canada’s regional and sectoral priorities, particularly in rural and remote areas that rely on immigrant labour.

The new PR program will also extend eligibility to Protected Persons already living in Canada, reflecting a continued balance between humanitarian commitments and economic strategy.

What Lies Ahead

While the family reunification and refugee categories will see slight reductions, Canada remains committed to maintaining a stable flow of new residents:

Family Class: 84,000 admissions
Refugee & Humanitarian: 56,200 admissions

Further information, including eligibility details for the new PR pathway, will be outlined in the 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.

The Big Picture

This policy shift shows that Canada is prioritizing long-term stability — giving permanent homes to those already contributing to its economy, while easing temporary admissions to manage population growth responsibly.

For thousands of international workers, this could be the golden opportunity they’ve been waiting for — a pathway from work permit to permanent residency and, eventually, a new life in Canada.

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FAQs

Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan includes a new PR pathway for 33,000 work permit holders, aiming to balance population growth with labour and infrastructure needs.

Eligible work permit holders currently living and working in Canada, as well as certain Protected Persons, may qualify for the new PR program details to be released in 2025.

Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026, with 64% of admissions under economic immigration categories.

Yes. The number of international student visas will be reduced from 305,900 in 2025 to 155,000 in 2026 as part of the effort to manage population and housing demands.

You can visit [XIPHIAS Immigration](https://www.xiphiasimmigration.com) to book a free consultation and explore Express Entry, PNP, or work permit to PR pathways with expert guidance.