Canada’s New In-Canada Workers Initiative Targets 33,000 Workers

Canada’s long-awaited “TR to PR pathway” has been introduced, but the new initiative, known as the In-Canada Workers Initiative, is limited to accelerating permanent residence (PR) applications already submitted by temporary foreign workers. The federal government revealed details about the program on May 4, 2026, outlining a plan to transition up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency over the next two years.

A Limited Scope

The In-Canada Workers Initiative, a one-time measure announced in Budget 2025, has so far been restricted to applications already in the system through existing permanent residence programs. These include the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), community immigration pilots, the caregiver pilots, and the AgriFood pilot.

The government’s recent press release indicates that, at this stage, the initiative is focused on fast-tracking the processing of permanent residence applications from workers who have already applied through these programs. In order to be eligible for the accelerated process, applicants must have been living in smaller Canadian communities for at least two years.

Workers Left Waiting

The news comes as a disappointment to many temporary foreign workers in Canada, who had hoped the new program would open up a broader pathway to permanent residency. Many had expected a program similar to the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway, which allowed temporary workers to apply directly for PR. However, the In-Canada Workers Initiative does not include a new application stream.

Despite this, there is some progress: as of May 2026, 3,600 workers have already been granted permanent residence, contributing to the target of 20,000 workers for 2026. However, many are still left waiting for further details on how and when additional workers may be included.

Unclear Eligibility and Limited Transparency

The government first mentioned the In-Canada Workers Initiative in Budget 2025. At that time, the measure was described as a one-time effort to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residency by 2027. These workers were expected to have paid taxes, built strong community connections, and contributed to Canada's economy.

However, after the initial announcement, little concrete information was provided. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab mentioned in an interview in March 2026 that the initiative had already launched but did not specify which workers were eligible or how applications would be processed. A later interview in April 2026 revealed that workers from urban areas would not be eligible for the pathway, further narrowing its scope.

Despite ongoing discussions, the government continues to withhold many details, leading to frustration among temporary workers who were hoping for clearer guidelines.

Moving Forward

The In-Canada Workers Initiative continues to evolve, but as of now, it remains a narrow and limited program aimed at workers who have already submitted PR applications. While progress has been made with 3,600 workers granted PR, many other temporary foreign workers in Canada remain uncertain about their prospects for permanent residence.