Work Permits Update — June 22, 2026
Monday, June 22, 2026
Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the LMIA-exempt (International Mobility Program) admissions target by 32% to 170,000, while simultaneously cutting LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program targets by roughly 27% to 60,000.
Effective April 1, 2026, employers applying for low-wage LMIA positions must advertise the role for 8 consecutive weeks (up from 4) within the 3 months before submitting, significantly extending timelines for LMIA-based hiring.
TR-to-PR pathway open work permit holders can continue applying for open work permits until December 31, 2026, following an extension of that temporary public policy.
What You Should Do
- Employers planning to hire low-wage foreign workers via LMIA: Start your job advertising campaign at least 8 weeks before your intended LMIA submission date (up from 4 weeks). Advertising must run for 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months prior to applying through ESDC's Employer Portal at canada.ca/esdc-employer-portal.
- Foreign workers holding LMIA-exempt permits (PGWP, intra-company, CUSMA/CETA): Review the updated 2026 IMP targets and new reciprocal employment rules at canada.ca/international-mobility-program to confirm your permit category is unaffected by the new rules.
- If you applied for PR under the 2021 TR-to-PR pathway and your application is still pending, you can apply for an open work permit extension until December 31, 2026 at canada.ca/tr-pr-pathway-open-work-permit. Gather your IRCC submission confirmation email and proof of fee payment before applying.
- Employers relying on LMIA-based TFW permits: Given the reduced 60,000 LMIA-based target for 2026, explore LMIA-exempt pathways (intra-company transfers, free trade agreements, PNP-linked permits) at canada.ca/international-mobility-program as alternative hiring routes.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The new Levels Plan restructures work permit targets, increasing LMIA-exempt permits to 170,000 and reducing LMIA-based permits to 60,000, while also extending the TR-to-PR open work permit deadline to December 31, 2026.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: The 2026–2028 Levels Plan raised the IMP admissions target by 32% to 170,000 while cutting LMIA-based TFW targets by 27% to 60,000, signaling a clear federal preference for LMIA-exempt pathways.
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