Work Permits Update — May 11, 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt) target to 170,000 — a 32% increase from the 128,700 previously planned — while cutting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA-based) target by 27% to 60,000.
For every LMIA-based work permit issued in 2026, Canada plans to issue approximately three LMIA-exempt permits, reflecting a clear strategic shift toward faster, employer-friendly pathways.
New low-wage LMIA rules took effect in April 2026, lengthening timelines for employers using the low-wage stream of the TFWP, though the stream itself remains open.
What You Should Do
- If you are a foreign worker or employer exploring work permit options, check whether you qualify for an LMIA-exempt category (e.g., intra-company transferee, PGWP holder, free trade agreement worker, provincial nominee) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/work-without-permit.html — qualifying avoids the $1,000 LMIA fee and 10-20 week processing time.
- If you are an employer using the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, review the April 2026 rule changes at canada.ca to understand the new extended timelines before submitting your next LMIA application.
- If you hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), confirm your PGWP is listed on your Express Entry profile as it counts as an LMIA-exempt work permit category and can strengthen your PR pathway.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The revised levels plan restructures the mix of temporary workers: IMP rises to 170,000 while TFWP drops to 60,000, for a combined total of 230,000 temporary workers in 2026, up from a planned 210,700.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the IMP (LMIA-exempt) target at 170,000 — up 32% from prior plans — while slashing the LMIA-based TFWP to 60,000, a 27% cut. Canada will issue roughly 3 LMIA-exempt permits for every 1 LMIA-based permit in 2026.
How these topics connect
Employers and workers should recognize that the shift toward LMIA-exempt permits is a top-down federal strategy embedded in the Levels Plan, meaning it is unlikely to reverse in the near term and signals where hiring flexibility will grow.
More Work Permits Updates
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Work Permits Update — July 20, 2026
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Work Permits Update — July 16, 2026
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