Canada’s immigration department has initiated a one-time measure to provide permanent residence to 33,000 foreign workers.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced that the program was quietly launched, with further details to be revealed in April, as reported by the Toronto Star on March 6, 2026.

The program was first introduced in the federal budget last November and confirmed in the federal government’s annual immigration levels plan.

According to government sources, the initiative will span two years and target temporary foreign workers in specific high-demand sectors, particularly those residing in rural areas.

As of now, specific eligibility criteria and application instructions have not been disclosed by the government.

Foreign nationals interested in applying for this pathway are advised to prepare necessary documents in advance, such as language tests and educational certificates.

The new TR to PR pathway is being introduced as many temporary residents are nearing the expiration of their status.

A significant portion of temporary residents in Canada hold status through work permits and/or study permits, which are issued on a temporary basis with fixed expiry dates.

Depending on individual circumstances, temporary residents may seek extensions or renewals of their permits. Failure to qualify for an extension or rejection of the application mandates departure from Canada at the end of the authorized stay period.

Initiatives to Decrease Temporary Resident Levels

Since January 2024, the Canadian government has been committed to reducing temporary resident levels by restricting the issuance of study and work permits, aiming to lower temporary resident levels to less than 5% of the country’s population by the end of 2027.