Work Permits

Work Permits Update — May 30, 2026

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program (IMP) target to 170,000 — a 32% increase from the previous plan's 128,700 — while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) target by 27% to 60,000.

Effective April 1, 2026, stricter LMIA requirements came into force, requiring employers to demonstrate extended recruitment efforts and targeted outreach to youth groups before hiring foreign workers through the TFWP.

Temporary residents who applied for PR under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway can apply for an open work permit until December 31, 2026, allowing them to work for any employer while awaiting a decision.

What You Should Do

  • If you are an employer planning to hire through the TFWP, review the updated LMIA recruitment requirements effective April 1, 2026 — including extended job posting durations and outreach to youth groups — on the ESDC LMIA application portal at canada.ca/lmia before submitting new applications.
  • If you applied for PR under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway and need work authorization while waiting, apply for an open work permit before the December 31, 2026 deadline at canada.ca/tr-pr-open-work-permit. Confirm eligibility by checking that you received an IRCC email confirming your PR application was successfully submitted.
  • If you are a foreign worker or employer considering LMIA-exempt pathways (e.g., intra-company transfers, CUSMA/CETA, post-graduation work permits), note that these pathways now have a higher federal target of 170,000 for 2026 — review eligible categories at canada.ca/international-mobility-program.

Sources

  1. Temporary public policies: Open work permits for applicants under the TR to PR pathwayOfficial
  2. New rules for who can work in Canada without a permit
  3. Canada LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Changes 2026 – Key Updates
  4. LMIA Requirements 2026: Major Changes for Employers

Topics Covered

LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion

The 2026–2028 Levels Plan raised the IMP (LMIA-exempt) target to 170,000, up 32% from the prior plan, while simultaneously cutting TFWP (LMIA-based) targets by 27% to 60,000, signaling a structural shift toward LMIA-exempt pathways.

More Work Permits Updates

Work Permits Update — June 8, 2026

Jun 8, 2026

Work Permits Update — June 4, 2026

Jun 4, 2026

Work Permits Update — June 1, 2026

Jun 1, 2026

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