Canada is offering 2,000 foreign workers permanent residence
Canada has invited 2,000 foreign workers to apply for permanent residence, marking the latest step in the federal government’s plan to transition tens of thousands of temporary workers to permanent status.
Back in March, the government announced it was soft-launching a measure that would offer up to 33,000 skilled temporary foreign workers a pathway to permanent residence 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,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) spokesperson Matthew Krupovich told Daily Hive.
Today, IRCC issued another round of invitations to apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.
The department issued 2,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class, a program designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
Those who met the following criteria were considered in the draw:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 519; and
- Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 12:16 a.m. UTC, before March 26, 2026.
So far this year, IRCC has issued 128,732 ITAs through various Express Entry draw types, including draws targeting French-language proficiency, health care and social services, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
What happens after getting an ITA?
Getting an invitation does not mean someone is automatically a permanent resident. Instead, it gives them the green light to submit a full application for permanent residence.
Those who received an ITA have 60 days to complete their application online, according to IRCC. They’ll need to provide the required documents, pay the applicable fees, and, in most cases, submit biometrics such as fingerprints and a photo.
There’s also some money involved. For an Express Entry applicant, the current fees total $1,590 per person and $270 for each dependent child.
Once an application is submitted, IRCC will then review the candidate’s documents and determine whether they meet the requirements for permanent residence. If approved, they will then officially become permanent residents of Canada.
The latest draw comes as the federal government continues to try to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada while keeping permanent immigration at what it considers sustainable levels.
The 2026 to 2028 immigration plan targets keeping permanent resident arrivals at less than one per cent of the population, and reducing the temporary population to less than five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027.
With files from Isabelle Docto