Canada PR pathway changes announced for 2026 update
Canada plans major changes to its immigration system in 2026. The federal government aims to help more temporary residents stay in the country as permanent residents. Officials will also reopen several programs that closed in 2025 after they reached their limits. The new plans focus on workers already living in Canada and contributing to their communities.
The federal Immigration Levels Plan outlines a goal to help up to 33,000 workers move from temporary status to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. Officials want to support people who work, pay taxes, and build strong ties in Canada. The government has not released full details yet, but the plan will likely help workers who already settled into their cities or towns.
A previous version of this pathway launched in 2021. It reached its limit on the day it opened. The demand showed how many temporary workers hoped to stay long-term.
Canada also plans a faster PR option for people with US H-1B visas. This new program aims to bring skilled workers from key fields like tech, research, and health care. Officials said the pathway will open “in the coming months,” but they did not share exact dates or requirements.
The idea grew out of a successful 2023 pilot. That earlier program gave three-year open work permits to H-1B holders. It reached 10,000 applications within days.
The federal government announced plans to welcome up to 14,000 foreign construction workers starting in 2025. Officials continue to decide how many will get permanent status and how many will arrive through temporary programs. They also reserved up to 6,000 PR spaces for undocumented construction workers already living in Canada. This move aims to support the construction industry, which faces major shortages during Canada’s housing crisis.
A new sector-based stream will help workers in agriculture and fish processing. Officials hope to launch it in 2025 or 2026. The stream will include a matching work permit for these industries. Full eligibility rules are still pending.
Canada plans a permanent replacement for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, which helps skilled refugees build new lives in Canada. Officials originally planned to launch the permanent program before the end of 2025. Since details remain unreleased, the new pathway may start in 2026 instead. The federal government also plans a one-time effort to help about 115,000 protected persons become permanent residents.
Since its launch, the EMPP brought 970 people to Canada. The current pilot has stopped accepting new applications. The permanent program will likely use similar rules.
Two home care worker pilots opened in 2025. Both reached their limits within a day. The streams for workers inside Canada will likely reopen in 2026. Applicants must have a full-time job offer, CLB 4 or higher, a secondary school diploma, and six months of experience.
These community-based pathways help employers in rural areas find workers. Applicants need a valid job offer, language test results, enough settlement funds, and at least one year of work experience. The Francophone pilot also requires proof of French skills. New priority occupations may appear in 2026.
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