Maple News reports that Canada will introduce a new initiative aimed at granting permanent residency (PR) to up to 33,000 temporary work permit holders over the years 2026 and 2027. This significant policy shift was outlined in the details of Budget 2025 and is expected to be a core feature of the forthcoming 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
The government’s move comes amid efforts to recalibrate the country’s immigration strategy, particularly in balancing the intake of temporary and permanent residents. This includes targeted reductions in the number of temporary residents entering Canada, with the overall cap for 2026 set at 385,000—a 43% decrease from the 673,650 temporary resident admissions projected for 2025.
International student numbers are also set to drop considerably. In 2026, only 155,000 new international student permits will be issued, a dramatic 49% decline from 305,900 in 2025. Meanwhile, temporary foreign worker admissions will be capped at 230,000 in 2026. While this is a 37% reduction from the 2025 target of 367,750, it marks an 8% increase compared to the projection made for 2026 in last year’s immigration planning.
Alongside these quota changes, the government has committed to extending permanent resident status to Protected Persons currently residing in Canada. This aligns with Canada’s broader humanitarian goals and domestic policy priorities aimed at offering stability to those vulnerable populations.
These adjustments signal a strategic pivot toward reducing the country’s reliance on temporary visas and bolstering permanent immigration pathways—a theme that immigration advocates and policy experts have been calling for.
The plan reflects Canada’s effort to streamline immigration inflows amidst growing pressure on housing, health care, and labour markets, ensuring a more sustainable long-term immigration framework. More specific details on the eligibility criteria and program mechanisms to facilitate the transition from temporary status to permanent residency are expected in the full release of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan later this year.
As Canada continues to rely on immigrants to meet labour shortages and drive economic growth, the new direction balances current demographic needs with broader integration goals. Maple News will continue to monitor and report on developments as more information becomes available.