Canada’s federal government has quietly begun implementing a new immigration initiative that will allow 33,000 temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents over the next two years. Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed the launch of the program, which aims to help workers already living in the country transition to permanent status while addressing labour shortages in key sectors.
The program was first introduced in November as part of Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. According to the plan, the government intends to speed up pathways for work permit holders currently in Canada so they can obtain permanent residency during the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. Officials say the initiative is designed to strengthen industries facing workforce gaps and provide greater stability for workers who are already contributing to the economy.
In an interview with the Toronto Star published on March 6, Minister Diab confirmed that the initiative has already begun, although detailed statistics about applications and approvals have not yet been released. She said the government expects to provide clearer information about the program in April.
The minister also explained that the move is part of a broader strategy to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population. In 2025 alone, more than half of the 395,000 people who became permanent residents had previously lived in the country under temporary permits.
Canada’s immigration plan outlines a goal of lowering the number of temporary residents to less than five percent of the national population by the end of 2027. To achieve this, the government plans to significantly cut new temporary resident admissions from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028.
The transition program for temporary foreign workers is also meant to address growing concerns about migrants losing legal status. Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that nearly 1.9 million temporary visas including work and study permits are set to expire in 2026. Earlier figures revealed that more than 2.5 million temporary resident visas had already expired between January and July 2025.
Debates about how Canada manages visa expirations and undocumented residents have intensified in Parliament over the past year. Critics have questioned whether the government has sufficient systems to track individuals whose visas have expired and ensure they leave the country if they no longer qualify to stay.
Minister Diab stated that her department is working toward better monitoring of temporary residents leaving Canada. However, she emphasized that visa holders are expected to comply with immigration rules voluntarily. If their permits expire and they do not receive an extension, they are expected to depart the country.
Beyond the new worker pathway, the government’s broader immigration strategy will keep permanent resident admissions at around 380,000 per year from 2026 through 2028. This represents a slight reduction from the 395,000 permanent residents admitted in 2025.
Government documents also reveal that an additional 148,000 permanent residents will be admitted over the next two years through special one-time measures. This total includes the 33,000 temporary foreign workers transitioning to permanent residency, as well as approximately 115,000 refugees who are already on track for permanent status under Canada’s domestic and international obligations.
When these one-time initiatives are included, Canada is expected to welcome nearly 1.3 million new permanent residents over the next three years.
At the same time, Ottawa is expanding its Express Entry immigration system to attract more skilled workers. New categories will give priority to professionals such as aircraft pilots, aviation mechanics, and certain military recruits, allowing them to move more quickly through the permanent residency process.
The government says these measures are intended to balance economic needs with immigration system reforms, while ensuring Canada continues to attract workers with skills that are in high demand.
