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Canada is offering 33,000 foreign workers permanent residence

Isabelle Docto
Isabelle Docto
|
Mar 10 2026, 3:14 pm
Canada is offering 33,000 foreign workers permanent residence
Mehaniq/Shutterstock

Canada has reportedly begun the rollout of a measure offering tens of thousands of foreign workers permanent residence over 2026 and 2027.

In an exclusive interview with the Toronto Star, Minister of Immigration Lena Metlege Diab revealed that the federal government had soft-launched a program offering 33,000 skilled temporary foreign workers permanent residence. The plan was first announced in November in Budget 2025.

She did not disclose how many foreign workers have been offered permanent residency, but stated that Ottawa would share more details in April.

Daily Hive followed up with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about this soft-launch.

IRCC spokesperson Matthew Krupovich did not confirm whether the permanent residence rollout had begun, but did not deny it. He clarified that this move was “a one-time measure, not to be confused with a program” that will accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027.

“This initiative will target individuals who are already contributing to Canada’s economy across a wide range of in-demand sectors, including in rural areas and known labour gaps, acknowledging their strong roots in their communities and their contributions to Canada’s economy,” stated Krupovich.

permanent residence

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The Liberal government’s 2025 budget emphasized bringing immigration back to sustainable levels and shrinking the non-permanent resident population. The 2026 to 2028 immigration plan targets keep permanent resident arrivals at less than one per cent of the population beyond 2027 and aims to reduce the temporary population to less than five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027.

In 2026, the federal government aims to offer permanent residence to 109,000 high-skilled foreign workers. Those numbers increase slightly in 2027 and 2028 to 111,000.

These targets are a big jump from the 2025 to 2027 immigration plan, which aimed to offer permanent residence to 41,700 high-skilled workers in 2025, 47,400 in 2026, and 47,800 in 2027.

“We are focusing immigration on where it delivers the greatest impact — filling labour gaps, strengthening key sectors of the economy and supporting communities across the country,” said Krupovich. “Our balanced and sustainable approach will support Canada’s own workforce, while attracting and keeping the world’s best talent with the skills and experience needed to grow the economy.”

In January, IRCC data revealed that nearly 1.8 million temporary resident permits will expire by the end of this year. Last year, 2.1 million temporary resident permits expired, raising concerns about an increase in the undocumented population.

Diab told the Star that those with a temporary status in Canada who wish to stay longer than their time limit should apply for an extension. If they do not, or if their application for extension is rejected, they must “honour that commitment and leave.”

Last month, the IRCC announced a new slate of Express Entry immigration categories this year, which focuses on foreign workers with research, transportation, and military experience.

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