Work Permits Update — June 11, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Canada raised the 2026 admissions target for LMIA-exempt work permits (International Mobility Program) to 170,000 — a 32% increase — while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program target to 60,000, down from 82,000.
Low-wage LMIA processing resumed in seven additional regions including Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Halifax as of January 9, 2026, in areas where unemployment dropped below 6%; the next regional eligibility update was expected April 10, 2026.
TR-to-PR pathway open work permits have been extended until December 31, 2026, allowing eligible 2021 pathway applicants still awaiting a PR decision to continue working in any occupation for any employer.
What You Should Do
- If you applied for PR under the 2021 Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway and are still awaiting a decision, apply for the open work permit extension before December 31, 2026 at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway/open-work-permit.html.
- If your employer wants to hire a foreign worker in a low-wage role in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, or Kingston, confirm the current regional unemployment rate and LMIA processing eligibility on the ESDC website at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/lmia.html before submitting an LMIA application.
- If you are on or planning to apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit (e.g., ICT, CUSMA, open work permits), review the increased 2026 IMP admissions target and ensure your application category falls under the International Mobility Program at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/apply.html.
- If you are a recent international graduate, check the updated list of PGWP-eligible fields of study (now frozen as of 2026) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html to confirm your program still qualifies before applying for a PGWP.
Sources
Topics Covered
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the IMP admissions target to 170,000 (up 32%) while reducing LMIA-based TFWP targets to 60,000 (down 27%), signalling a clear federal preference for LMIA-exempt pathways.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026–2028 plan sets IMP targets at 170,000 and TFWP targets at 60,000, with the TR-to-PR pathway open work permit extended to December 31, 2026 for eligible 2021 applicants.
More Work Permits Updates
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Work Permits Update — June 1, 2026
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