Work Permits Update — June 18, 2026

What You Should Do

• -If you are an employer hiring for low-wage positions under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, update your recruitment timeline — you must now advertise the position for at least 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before submitting your LMIA application to ESDC. Start advertising immediately if you plan to hire in Q3 2026.
• -If you submitted a permanent residence application under the 2021 TR-to-PR 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 you are a foreign worker or employer exploring LMIA-exempt options (e.g., intra-company transfers, free trade agreements, significant benefit categories), note that the 2026 IMP admissions target is 170,000 — check eligible categories at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/need-permit/work-permit-exempt.html.
• -If you are in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, or Kingston and your employer needs a low-wage LMIA, confirm that your region's unemployment rate remains below 6% before your employer submits — IRCC reviews regional eligibility quarterly (next update was expected April 10, 2026).