Work Permits Update — June 11, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Canada raised the 2026 admissions target for LMIA-exempt work permits (International Mobility Program) to 170,000 — a 32% increase — while cutting the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program target to 60,000, down from 82,000.
Low-wage LMIA processing resumed in seven additional regions including Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Halifax as of January 9, 2026, in areas where unemployment dropped below 6%; the next regional eligibility update was expected April 10, 2026.
TR-to-PR pathway open work permits have been extended until December 31, 2026, allowing eligible 2021 pathway applicants still awaiting a PR decision to continue working in any occupation for any employer.
What You Should Do
- If you applied for PR under the 2021 Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway and are still awaiting a decision, apply for the open work permit extension before December 31, 2026 at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway/open-work-permit.html.
- If your employer wants to hire a foreign worker in a low-wage role in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, or Kingston, confirm the current regional unemployment rate and LMIA processing eligibility on the ESDC website at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/lmia.html before submitting an LMIA application.
- If you are on or planning to apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit (e.g., ICT, CUSMA, open work permits), review the increased 2026 IMP admissions target and ensure your application category falls under the International Mobility Program at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/apply.html.
- If you are a recent international graduate, check the updated list of PGWP-eligible fields of study (now frozen as of 2026) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html to confirm your program still qualifies before applying for a PGWP.
Sources
Topics Covered
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the IMP admissions target to 170,000 (up 32%) while reducing LMIA-based TFWP targets to 60,000 (down 27%), signalling a clear federal preference for LMIA-exempt pathways.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026–2028 plan sets IMP targets at 170,000 and TFWP targets at 60,000, with the TR-to-PR pathway open work permit extended to December 31, 2026 for eligible 2021 applicants.
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
Work Permits Update — October 19, 2026
Oct 19, 2026
Work Permits Update — October 15, 2026
Oct 15, 2026
Work Permits Update — October 12, 2026
Oct 12, 2026
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