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Canada to Offer up to 200,000 Permanent Residency Spots for Temporary Residents by 2027
Canada will make up to 200,000 permanent residency places available to eligible temporary residents, with the target to be reached by the end of 2027. The measure is part of the 2026 federal budget and the 2027‑2029 Immigration Levels Plan and applies to workers, families and humanitarian cases.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Up to 200,000 permanent residency places will be allocated to eligible temporary residents
- Timing
- Goal to be achieved by the end of 2027
- Who is affected
- Temporary residents in employment, humanitarian and family categories, including nationals from several listed countries
The details
- New rule
- Canada will provide permanent residency to as many as 200,000 eligible temporary residents by the end of 2027, split equally between employment‑related and humanitarian/family categories.
Overview of the Initiative
The government introduced the measure in the 2026 federal budget and incorporated it into the 2027‑2029 Immigration Levels Plan. Its purpose is to retain workers who have already contributed to Canadian communities and to address labour shortages across provinces and territories.
Allocation of Places
Two main streams will receive 100,000 places each. The first stream targets workers and their families who are already employed in Canada. The second stream focuses on humanitarian and family‑related cases, including applicants who have experienced long waiting periods for permanent residency.
- Employment‑related stream: up to 100,000 spots for eligible workers and families
- Humanitarian/family stream: up to 100,000 spots for eligible humanitarian and family cases
Implementation and Eligibility
Provincial and territorial authorities will cooperate with the federal government to identify candidates whose professional experience matches regional labour market needs. The Provincial Nominee Program is highlighted as a key pathway. Applicants must still meet the eligibility criteria of the specific immigration programmes through which they apply; holding temporary status alone does not guarantee selection.
- Provincial nomination may support eligibility but does not guarantee permanent residency
- Eligibility requirements remain tied to existing federal immigration pathways
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers with existing temporary work permits should monitor provincial nomination announcements for potential eligibility
- Those planning to apply for permanent residency must align their application timelines with the end‑2027 target
Cost and documents
- No new fees are announced; applicants will continue to pay standard processing charges for the underlying immigration programmes
- Required documents remain those of the existing pathways, such as proof of employment, family relationships and humanitarian status
What you need to do
- Check eligibility against the specific federal programme you are currently using
- Submit any required provincial nomination applications before the end of 2027
- Keep immigration status valid while awaiting a permanent residency decision
Who this affects
-
Temporary workers and their families
Up to 100,000 permanent residency places are reserved for eligible employment‑related applicants
What to do Must satisfy the eligibility criteria of the selected immigration pathways and may need provincial nomination
-
Humanitarian and family applicants
Another 100,000 places are allocated to humanitarian and family‑related cases
What to do Must meet the eligibility conditions of the relevant humanitarian or family immigration programmes
-
Ukrainian nationals in Canada
Ukrainian applicants covered by existing humanitarian pathways may benefit from the new initiative
What to do Should verify eligibility under the designated humanitarian immigration routes
-
Hong Kong nationals in Canada
Certain Hong Kong applicants under designated pathways are specifically mentioned
What to do Need to confirm they meet the selection requirements of the relevant immigration programme
-
Indian temporary residents
India is highlighted as a major source of workers and students who could be eligible
What to do Must align with the eligibility rules of the employment or student pathways they are using
Frequently asked questions
How many permanent residency spots will Canada offer to temporary residents?
Canada plans to allocate up to 200,000 permanent residency places to eligible temporary residents, with 100,000 for employment‑related applicants and 100,000 for humanitarian and family cases.
When does the new permanent residency initiative take effect?
The target is to award the 200,000 places by the end of 2027, as outlined in the 2026 federal budget and the 2027‑2029 Immigration Levels Plan.
Which temporary residents are eligible for the new permanent residency places?
Eligibility is limited to those who meet the criteria of existing federal immigration programmes, including workers, their families, humanitarian applicants and other family‑related cases.
Do I need a provincial nomination to qualify for the new permanent residency stream?
Provincial nomination can support eligibility, especially for the employment‑related stream, but it does not guarantee permanent residency; applicants must still satisfy federal programme requirements.
Will there be additional fees for applying under this new initiative?
No new fees were announced; applicants will continue to pay the standard processing charges associated with the underlying immigration pathways.
