Work Permits

Work Permits Update — May 29, 2026

Friday, May 29, 2026

Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the LMIA-exempt work permit (International Mobility Program) admissions target by 32%, from 128,700 to 170,000, while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program target from 82,000 to 60,000.

The federal government announced a freeze on changes to PGWP-eligible fields of study for 2026, meaning no new programs will be added to or removed from the eligible list this year.

Applicants who submitted a PR application under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway and are still awaiting a decision can now apply for an open work permit until December 31, 2026, extended from the prior deadline.

What You Should Do

  • If you applied for permanent residence under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway and have not yet received a decision, apply for an open work permit before December 31, 2026 at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway/open-work-permit.html. This allows you to work for any employer while waiting.
  • If you are an employer considering hiring a foreign worker, review whether the role qualifies for an LMIA-exempt category under the International Mobility Program (IMP) — the 2026 target for IMP permits is 170,000, up 32%, signaling broader government support for this pathway. See eligibility categories at canada.ca.
  • If you are an international student planning to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), confirm your field of study remains on the eligible list — no changes are being made in 2026, but verify your program's eligibility at canada.ca before graduating to avoid surprises.

Sources

  1. Changes are coming to LMIA-exempt work permits this year – here's what to expect | CIC News
  2. Temporary public policies: Open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway - Canada.caOfficial
  3. Canada's 2026 LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Changes Explained

Topics Covered

LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion

The 2026–2028 Levels Plan sets the IMP admissions target at 170,000 (up 32% from prior plan), while LMIA-based TFWP targets drop to 60,000 (down ~27%), reflecting a deliberate shift toward faster, employer-friendly LMIA-exempt pathways.

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