Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is increasingly focusing on granting permanent residency (PR) to individuals already living and working in Canada. This shift aligns with Canada’s broader strategy to fill labour market gaps with candidates who possess Canadian experience and are already contributing to the economy.
According to IRCC’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government is aiming to transition more temporary residents—especially those with valuable skills and local experience—into permanent residents. Specific emphasis has been placed on initiatives and programs that streamline the process for candidates within Canada.
A major element of the plan includes a marked increase in federal targets under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The 2026 admission target for the PNP has been boosted by 66%, rising from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 applicants. This number is projected to increase further to 92,500 by 2028. These expanded targets are already reflected in higher nomination allocations to provinces and territories that have shared their data.
Because most PNP streams prioritize applicants who have studied or worked in the nominating province, these developments significantly benefit candidates already established in Canada. The emphasis on local candidates was particularly visible in last year’s policy, which allocated 75% of nominations to temporary residents already in the country—a strong signal of IRCC’s ongoing direction.
Additionally, new Express Entry categories launched over the past year are aimed specifically at candidates with Canadian work experience. These category-based invitations are expected to continue playing a key role in transitioning temporary residents to permanent immigration status.
In total, the federal government has projected that 33,000 in-Canada workers will benefit from permanent residency pathways over 2026 and 2027. This reflects Canada’s broader effort to stabilize its immigration system by supporting those who have already integrated socially and economically.
With its recent policy decisions, IRCC is making it clear that in-Canada experience now carries more weight than ever in Canada’s immigration system. Applicants already living in the country should keep a close eye on evolving Express Entry and PNP pathways to ensure they can take full advantage of these opportunities.
Maple News will continue monitoring these updates to provide accurate, timely guidance for aspiring permanent residents across Canada.