Maple News reports that major changes are underway for international students and temporary foreign workers in Canada, following recent announcements from the federal government. As outlined in Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan and supported by the 2025 federal budget, these changes reflect a shift toward rewarding individuals who are already contributing to the Canadian economy.
One of the most notable developments includes an accelerated pathway to permanent residency (PR) for temporary foreign workers. Starting in 2026, up to 33,000 individuals on work permits could transition more quickly to PR status. While specific criteria and implementation details are still pending, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has signaled that this initiative will focus on workers who are well-integrated into their communities, have strong employment history in in-demand sectors, and have been paying taxes in Canada.
The move appears to build on a 2021 special PR pathway for temporary residents, which reached capacity on its first day. Since then, Canada has increasingly emphasized Canadian work experience in its immigration policies. In fact, according to IRCC data from the 2024 Express Entry system, 64% of all candidates invited to apply for permanent residence had at least one year of work experience in Canada.
This growing focus on selecting candidates already working in Canada signals what may be a long-term strategy to transition more temporary residents into permanent ones, supporting Canada’s population and labour market needs.
Further changes are also expected for international students, although Canada has not yet released detailed policies targeting that group. Maple News will continue to follow these developments closely and provide updates as new information becomes available.
Ultimately, these reforms reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to align immigration policies with economic and demographic priorities, helping to solidify the contributions of those already living and working in the country.