The Good News for Temporary Workers: A Faster Ticket to Staying
For years, the ‘temporary’ status has been a source of anxiety for many foreign workers. However, the government has finally acknowledged this issue with its new immigration plan. They announced plans to speed up the transition of over 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residents in its 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. However, we still know little about how the government intends to implement the accelerated transition.
An interesting note is the government’s initiative to target temporary workers who already have work permits in the country. The focus is on workers who pay taxes, have established strong roots in the community, and work in niche, in-demand sectors.
In 2021, the IRCC initiated a limited-time TR to PR pathway. This initiative ended up hitting its cap the same day it launched. It is possible the IRCC is showing more focus on inviting temporary residents with experience in the country to apply for permanent residency.
Launch of Sector-Specific PR Pathways: Where the Opportunities Are
Temporary residents with the right skills are sure to have an easier time with the government, especially if their skills meet the desired labour market needs. Canada is essentially looking for the following skilled temporary workers:
- Tech & health (H1-B Holders): Budget 2025 outlines a fast-track lane for talent in healthcare, research, and advanced industries
- Construction workers: If you build homes, Canada needs you. There are over 6,000 spots reserved specifically for undocumented construction workers already in the country
- Agriculture & fish processing: A brand-new stream is being developed specifically to support Canada’s food supply chain, especially in agriculture and fish processing
- Caregivers: The Home Care Worker Immigration pilots are set to reopen for a fresh intake in 2026
Temporary foreign workers who possess the necessary skillset are the best contenders for most of these sector-specific streams.
Bottom Line
Canada is changing its stance from essentially being ‘open to everyone’ to being ‘open to the right skills.’ The bar is being lowered for graduate students and temporary workers with high-demand field, while being raised for everyone else.
