Work Permits Update — April 30, 2026
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt) target at 170,000 admissions — a 32% increase from the prior plan — while the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA-based) has been cut to 60,000, a 27% reduction.
Applicants under the 2021 Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway can apply for an open work permit until December 31, 2026, allowing them to work for any employer in any occupation while their PR application is processed.
IRCC updated its Program Delivery Instructions for performing arts LMIA-exempt workers (R205(b) – C23) in April 2026, revising eligibility guidance, documentary evidence requirements, and assessment procedures.
What You Should Do
- If you applied under the 2021 TR to PR pathway and are still awaiting a PR decision, apply for the open work permit extension at canada.ca/tr-pr-pathway before December 31, 2026 to maintain your right to work for any employer.
- If your employer is considering hiring you via an LMIA, ask them to evaluate LMIA-exempt categories first (e.g., intra-company transfer, free trade agreements, PGWP) — LMIA-exempt processing is significantly faster and avoids the $1,000 LMIA fee and 10–20 week wait.
- Performing arts workers applying under the R205(b) – C23 (Canadian interests – reciprocal employment) category should review the updated IRCC Program Delivery Instructions for revised documentary evidence requirements before submitting applications.
Sources
Topics Covered
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increases LMIA-exempt work permit targets by 32% to 170,000 while cutting LMIA-based permits by 27% to 60,000, making LMIA-exempt pathways the dominant route for foreign workers entering Canada.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026–2028 plan sets IMP at 170,000 and TFWP at 60,000, a deliberate structural shift away from employer-driven LMIA routes toward internationally-agreed or Canadian-interest exemptions.
More Work Permits Updates
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Work Permits Update — June 4, 2026
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Work Permits Update — June 1, 2026
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