Work Permits Update — April 15, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased LMIA-exempt work permit targets to 170,000 (up ~32% from the prior plan) under the International Mobility Program, while LMIA-based permits through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program were cut to approximately 60,000 spots.
Effective April 1, 2026, employers applying for LMIAs for low-wage positions must now demonstrate targeted recruitment efforts specifically reaching youth, including posting on Job Bank's youth section, partnering with educational institutions, and outreach through youth employment programs.
New rules for rural employers also took effect April 1, 2026, introducing temporary measures to make it easier for small towns and rural communities to hire foreign workers through the TFWP.
What You Should Do
- If you are an employer applying for an LMIA for a low-wage position after April 1, 2026, update your recruitment records to document youth-targeted outreach: post on Job Bank's youth section (jobbank.gc.ca), partner with at least one educational institution, and use at least two additional recruitment methods targeting different underrepresented groups (e.g., Indigenous peoples, newcomers, persons with disabilities). Retain all documentation for ESDC review.
- If you are a foreign worker seeking to work in Canada without an LMIA, review the LMIA-exempt categories (PGWP, intra-company transfer, free trade agreements, provincial nominee) at canada.ca/work-without-lmia — the 2026 target of 170,000 IMP spots represents significantly expanded opportunities.
- Employers in rural areas should review the new April 1, 2026 temporary rural employer measures under the TFWP at canada.ca/tfwp to determine if your community qualifies for easier access to foreign workers.
Sources
Topics Covered
The 2026-2028 Levels Plan sets an IMP target of 170,000 LMIA-exempt permits — a 32% increase — while LMIA-based TFWP spots are cut to roughly 60,000, signaling a deliberate shift away from employer-sponsored LMIA pathways.
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