New Pathways to Permanent Residence in Canada to Commence in 2026


 Canada will introduce a suite of new pathways to PR in 2026, reflecting the federal government's continued focus on addressing labor shortages, continuing support for economic growth, and prioritizing in-Canada temporary residents for permanent settlement.

Under the Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028, IRCC plans to open and reopen several immigration streams, many of which will provide pathways to permanent residence for temporary workers, sectoral workers, and humanitarian applicants. Below is a comprehensive look at the new and reopening PR pathways likely to come in 2026 within Canada.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway – 2026

One such highly awaited pathway is through the TR to PR pathway, which will give priority to workers who already reside and are working within the country.
The Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 anticipates that, in both years of 2026 and 2027, up to 33,000 temporary work permit holders will transition to permanent residence. It will be a pathway that will treat those who have strong ties with the country, pay their taxes, and are contributing to the economy effectively.
Canada previously launched a similar TR to PR pathway in 2021 that reached its intake cap on the same day it launched due to extremely high demand.

Key Highlights

  • Targets in-Canada temporary workers
  • Contribution to the economy and social integration
  • Complete eligibility criteria to be announced.
Applicants are encouraged to have documents verified, such as Canadian work experience records, tax filings, language test results, and educational credentials, in preparation for this program.

Accelerated Permanent Residence Pathway for H-1B Visa Holders

In its 2025 federal budget, Canada revealed its intentions to establish an expedited pathway for PR to U.S. H-1B Visa holders. This move will help retain highly skilled workers in fields of technology, healthcare, engineering, and research.

“This initiative is the follow-through after the success of the H-1B Open Work Permit Pilot Program that reached its cap of 10,000 applications within days,” said Rep. Achy Obejas

What to Expect

  • Categories: U.S.-based H-1B visa holders
  • Fast-track option for Canadian permanent residency
  • Most likely requirement: valid H-1B status
Though officials indicated the pathway will remain available “in the coming months,” specific details regarding eligibility and application deadlines remain unmade public.

Pathway for Permanent Residency for Construction Workers

To counter the shortage of labor in its housing and infrastructure sectors, IRCC announced in March 2025 that it would issue an additional 14,000 foreign national construction worker visas.
It should be noted that up to 6,000 immigration spots could be allotted for undocumented construction workers currently in Canada, as confirmed by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

Key Points
  • Canada’s construction and housing industries
  • Can include: Permanent or temporary immigration solutions
  • Eligibility criteria and release date yet
This is expected to mainly help stabilize the construction industry in Canada in the year 2026.

New Sector-Specific PR Stream: Agriculture and Fish Processing

Under the IRCC Departmental Plan for 2025-2026, the government has announced the plan to introduce an industry-specific immigration stream for agricultural and fishing industry processors.
This route seeks to simplify the recruitment process by entering into more agreements in partner countries, together with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). There will also be an accompanying work permit that is specific to the sector.
Program Status
  • If launched on schedule, India
  • Targets agricultural workers and fish processors
  • Eligibility criteria has not yet been announced
This stream will assist in fulfilling the labor gaps in the food processing sectors of Canada.

Path of Replacement of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

It is expected that “the federal government will propose a new permanent pathway to PR in place of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, which is to expire by December 31, 2025.”
The EMPP enables qualified refugees and displaced persons to immigrate to Canada on the grounds of satisfying labor market requirements. Approximately 970 persons have been admitted in this program since 2019.
Although the initial goal of IRCC was to launch the replacement prior to the expiry of the current pilot, the lack of finalized information points to the fact that it might be launched in 2026.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Le projet prévu comporte des exigences similaires à celles prévues dans le EMPP, et celles-ci sont :
Documentation of refugee or displaced person status
Aligning work experience and skills
The key to
Requirements in language proficiency and education
Further, the Immigration Levels Plan introduced a one-time scheme for the transition of about 115,000 protected individuals in Canada to permanent residency status, which could come within the above-mentioned category.

Reopening of Existing Permanent Residence Pathways in 2026

  • Home Care Workers Immigration Pilots
  • In March 2025, IRCC introduced two Home Care Worker PR pilots:
  • Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
  • Immigration Pilot: Home Care Worker
  • Home Support
Both pilots accepted 2,750 applications and reached their limit on the day of launch. For the in-Canada intake stream, the stream for applicants outside of Canada never opened.
It is generally anticipated that the IRCC will reopen the in-Canada streams in 2026.
Eligibility Criteria

  • Full-time eligible job offer
  • CLB 4 or higher language proficiency
  • Secondary school diploma or higher
  • At least six months work experience

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