Work Permits Update — June 25, 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Canada's 2026 immigration levels plan sets a target of 170,000 new LMIA-exempt work permit holders under the International Mobility Program — a 32% increase from the previous plan — while LMIA-based permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program have been cut by approximately 27%.
As of April 1, 2026, employers applying for LMIA-based low-wage positions must advertise the job for at least 8 consecutive weeks in the 3 months before submitting, and must specifically target youth in recruitment efforts.
The open work permit deadline for eligible TR-to-PR pathway applicants (those who applied in 2021) has been extended to December 31, 2026, allowing them to maintain status and work for any employer while awaiting a PR decision.
What You Should Do
- If you are an employer hiring for low-wage positions using the LMIA stream: ensure your job advertisement runs for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before you submit your LMIA application, and document your youth-targeted recruitment efforts. Deadline: required for all LMIA applications submitted on or after April 1, 2026. See details at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html.
- If you applied under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway and are still awaiting a PR 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 to maintain your legal status and work authorization.
- If you are a foreign worker or employer considering work permit options in 2026: review whether your situation qualifies for an LMIA-exempt category (e.g., free trade agreements like CUSMA/CETA, intra-company transfers, Post-Graduation Work Permit, provincial nominee) at canada.ca, as LMIA-exempt pathways are being prioritized and LMIA-based quotas are being reduced.
- If you are an employer who has relied on LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program hires for low-wage roles: assess whether LMIA-exempt pathways under the International Mobility Program now apply to your workforce needs, given the ~27% reduction in LMIA-based permit quotas.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The updated 2026-2028 immigration levels plan includes specific targets for LMIA-exempt and LMIA-based work permits, reflecting a rebalancing of Canada's temporary foreign worker intake toward the International Mobility Program.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: Canada's 2026-2028 immigration levels plan raises the LMIA-exempt work permit target under the International Mobility Program to 170,000 — a 32% increase — while simultaneously cutting LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program quotas by approximately 27%.
More Work Permits Updates
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Work Permits Update — June 18, 2026
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Work Permits Update — June 15, 2026
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