With this 66% increase in admissions spots, securing a nomination from your province could be the fastest route to permanent residency. Furthermore, many provinces already have strict requirements applicants must meet to qualify and even apply for the program. Temporary residents who work in specialized sectors or in skilled trades that their provinces need have a much higher chance of getting permanent residency.
One-Time Policies for 2026 & 2027
To help hit their projected targets without bringing in too many new workers from outside the country, IRCC plans to launch two special, one-time initiatives for 2026 and 2027.
Accelerated Permanent Residency for Skilled Workers
In the next two years, the government plans to fast-track permanent residency for up to 33,000 workers who currently reside and work in Canada. This policy will focus mainly on temporary residents who work within in-demand sectors.
Workers who live in rural areas and have strong community roots and a steady job in their occupations have an even greater opportunity of getting permanent residency. Candidates must also be recognized as tax-contributing individuals of the labour market to qualify for permanent residency.
A Path for Protected Persons
IRCC also plans to undertake a parallel one-time initiative to issue permanent residency for up to 115,000 temporary residents in the country. However, these residents must be recognized as Protected Persons by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) and IRCC.
Protected Persons are individuals with Convention refugee status. IRB and IRCC must determine that these individuals require protection and cannot leave the country as a result. This strategy allows the Canadian government to fulfil its humanitarian duties while helping individuals already in the country to fully integrate into the economy.
This policy allows IRCC to target Protected Persons who have already integrated into the country or are in the process or fully integrating to become permanent residents who can contribute to the economy. The admission of these 115,000 temporary residents is also separate from IRCC’s stated permanent residency Immigration Levels Plan.
The Bottom Line
The Canadian government isn’t just looking for more people to cross its borders; it’s looking for the right people. Right now, the ‘right’ people, according to the government, are individuals who already reside and work in the country.
If you’re already in Canada, working and contributing to the community, this plan is the perfect opportunity to gain permanent residency into the country.
