Work Permits

Work Permits Update — June 15, 2026

Monday, June 15, 2026

LMIA processing times improved significantly for the permanent resident stream (down 104 days, from 244 to 140 business days) and the Global Talent Stream (down 4 days to 8 days), but worsened for the low-wage stream (up 10 days to 58 days) as of April 2026.

The 2026 Immigration Levels Plan increased the LMIA-exempt work permit (International Mobility Program) admissions target to 170,000 — a 32% increase from the 2025 notional target — while cutting LMIA-based TFWP targets to 60,000.

Eligible applicants who submitted permanent residence applications 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 PR decision.

What You Should Do

  • If you are an employer using the low-wage LMIA stream, plan for 58 business days of processing time (up from 48 in February 2026) — submit your LMIA application at least 3–4 months before the worker's intended start date via the Service Canada Employer Portal.
  • If you are an employer using the Global Talent Stream, current processing is 8 business days — apply via the Global Talent Stream portal at canada.ca/global-talent-stream and ensure your job offer and supporting documents are complete to maintain this fast turnaround.
  • If you applied for PR under the 2021 TR-to-PR 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 you are a foreign worker or employer considering LMIA-exempt pathways, review the International Mobility Program streams at canada.ca — the 2026 admissions target is now 170,000, significantly expanding available capacity compared to prior years.

Sources

  1. LMIA wait times improve for select Temporary Foreign Worker Program streams | CIC News
  2. Labour Market Impact Assessment application processing times - Canada.caOfficial
  3. Changes are coming to LMIA-exempt work permits this year – here's what to expect | CIC News
  4. Temporary public policies: Open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway - Canada.caOfficial

Topics Covered

LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion

The 2026 Immigration Levels Plan set the IMP (LMIA-exempt) admissions target at 170,000 — a 32% increase from the prior notional target — while reducing LMIA-based TFWP targets to 60,000, signaling a deliberate shift toward LMIA-exempt pathways.

More Work Permits Updates

Work Permits Update — June 25, 2026

Jun 25, 2026

Work Permits Update — June 22, 2026

Jun 22, 2026

Work Permits Update — June 18, 2026

Jun 18, 2026

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