Canada is stepping up efforts to retain workers already in the country, with plans to grant permanent residency to at least 20,000 people in 2026.
The move, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, is part of a broader strategy to address labour shortages and stabilise immigration levels.
According to the agency, the plan falls under a one-time initiative introduced in the 2025 budget, aimed at helping up to 33,000 temporary workers secure permanent residency between 2026 and 2027.
Early signs suggest the programme is already gaining traction. Between January and February this year alone, about 3,600 workers were granted permanent residency through the scheme.
Most of those eligible have already been selected through existing pathways, including regional immigration programmes and occupation-based pilots. This means many applicants won’t need to submit fresh applications.
The initiative is also designed to clear backlogs and prioritise people who are already contributing to Canada’s economy — especially in smaller communities where labour shortages are more pronounced.
To qualify, workers typically need to have spent at least two years living and working in rural or less populated areas, supporting local industries and services.
Officials say the focus will remain on sectors facing critical workforce gaps, with applications drawn from programmes such as the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and other community-based initiatives.
By fast-tracking these workers into permanent residency, Canada hopes to keep experienced hands in the system while strengthening local economies that depend heavily on them.
