Work Permits Update — May 4, 2026
Monday, May 4, 2026
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan raises the LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program (IMP) target to 170,000 — a 32% increase over what was planned in the previous 2025-2027 plan — while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) target to 60,000, a 27% reduction.
LMIA-exempt categories include intra-company transferees, Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, free trade agreement workers (CETA, CUSMA), provincial nominees, and certain humanitarian measures.
The shift means Canada will issue roughly three LMIA-exempt permits for every one LMIA-based permit in 2026, signaling a clear strategic preference for faster, employer-cost-friendly pathways.
What You Should Do
- If you are an employer planning to hire a foreign worker in 2026, determine whether the role qualifies for an LMIA-exempt category (e.g., intra-company transfer, CUSMA/CETA trade agreement) before paying the $1,000 LMIA fee — visit canada.ca/international-mobility-program for eligibility details.
- If you are a recent Canadian graduate holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), confirm your PGWP is active and note that you are already LMIA-exempt — use this status strategically when job searching, as employers will face fewer administrative barriers hiring you.
- If you are currently on an LMIA-based work permit, check whether you qualify for an LMIA-exempt category for your next permit renewal by reviewing the IMP categories at canada.ca/international-mobility-program to potentially reduce your employer's processing time and cost.
Sources
Topics Covered
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026-2028 Levels Plan sets the IMP (LMIA-exempt) target at 170,000 — up 32% from the prior plan — while the TFWP (LMIA-based) target is cut 27% to 60,000, making LMIA-exempt pathways the dominant route for temporary workers entering Canada.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The new Levels Plan restructures temporary worker targets significantly, with total temporary worker admissions rising to 230,000 (up from 210,700) but shifting composition heavily toward LMIA-exempt streams.
More Work Permits Updates
Work Permits Update — June 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026
Work Permits Update — June 8, 2026
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Work Permits Update — June 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
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