Work Permits Update — May 7, 2026
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan raises the LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program (IMP) target to 170,000 — a 32% increase from the prior plan — while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) target by 27% to 60,000.
Effective April 1, 2026, employers applying through the TFWP face stricter LMIA recruitment rules, including extended recruitment efforts and targeted outreach to youth groups before hiring foreign workers.
The new plan means Canada will issue nearly three LMIA-exempt work permits for every one LMIA-based permit in 2026, representing a clear federal policy shift toward LMIA-exempt pathways.
What You Should Do
- If you are a foreign worker or employer currently relying on LMIA-based work permits, review whether your occupation or situation qualifies for an LMIA-exempt category under the International Mobility Program (IMP) — common categories include CUSMA/CETA trade agreements, intra-company transfers, and PGWP holders. Check eligibility at canada.ca/work-without-lmia.
- If you are an employer submitting a new LMIA application after April 1, 2026, ensure your recruitment records demonstrate extended hiring efforts and documented outreach to youth groups, as these are now required under the updated LMIA rules. Failure to document this can result in LMIA denial.
- If you hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), confirm your current permit is noted in your Express Entry profile — PGWP holders qualify as LMIA-exempt and may benefit from increased IMP targets. Log in to your IRCC account at canada.ca/ircc-signin to verify.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The new levels plan significantly restructures the temporary worker mix, increasing LMIA-exempt targets by 32% and cutting LMIA-based targets by 27% to reflect Canada's strategic pivot toward attracting globally mobile talent.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the IMP target at 170,000 (up 32%) while cutting TFWP to 60,000 (down 27%), resulting in a roughly 3:1 ratio of LMIA-exempt to LMIA-based permits.
More Work Permits Updates
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Work Permits Update — June 1, 2026
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Work Permits Update — May 30, 2026
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