IRCC will speed up permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers already in Canada in 2026 and 2027, with no new application needed.
What happened
On May 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released details of the In-Canada Workers Initiative, a one-time measure first announced in Budget 2025. It aims to move up to 33,000 workers already in Canada to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, with at least 20,000 in 2026 and the rest in 2027.
IRCC says 3,600 workers were granted permanent residence under the initiative between January 1 and February 28, 2026, and that it will post progress monthly on its website.
Who may benefit
This is not a new application stream. IRCC is starting with work permit holders who have already applied for permanent residence. To qualify, a person must have applied through the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the community immigration pilots, the caregiver pilots or the Agri-Food Pilot, and must have lived in smaller communities in Canada for two years or more. The news release does not define a population cut-off for a smaller community.
What to do
IRCC states that applicants do not need to take any action; eligible files will be processed from existing inventories. People already waiting in these programs should keep their temporary status valid, keep their contact and employment details up to date, and watch for further IRCC guidance. The measure supports the federal goal of bringing temporary residents below 5% of the population by the end of 2027.
Key points
- Up to 33,000 workers, with at least 20,000 targeted in 2026
- Only for people who already applied through PNP, AIP, community pilots, caregiver pilots or the Agri-Food Pilot
- Two or more years living in smaller communities is required
- No new application or action is needed
Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.