Canada Supports Provinces in Transitioning Foreign Workers to Permanent Residence

IRCC published a news release in which the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, gave more details on a time limited measure for workers announced in Budget 2026. 

The Government of Canada is offering provinces additional space to transition up to a combined total of 100,000 workers and their families, already residing in Canada, to permanent residence in 2027. 

However, under this initiative, provinces can select how many additional nomination spaces they want to use to retain skilled professionals who are already contributing to their local economies. 

In addition to this, the measure also allows provinces to discover eligible professionals who have already submitted PR applications through chosen federal immigration programs and are awaiting final approval.

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Why Has Canada Given Provinces a March 31, 2027 Deadline?

IRCC has given provinces a deadline until March 31, 2027 to use their additional nomination allocation. This gives them approximately 139 days from the November 12 announcement to identify and nominate qualified workers. 

The deadline is intended to ensure that provinces use the additional spaces within the specified period. However, participation is an option, meaning every province can decide whether to use the additional spaces and how many nominations to issue based on its criteria. 

How Many Additional PR Spaces Has Canada Announced for 2027?

Canada is introducing up to 200,000 additional permanent residence spaces in 2027 for two groups of people already residing in the country. 

The allocation is divided into two categories:

• Up to 32,000 people have applied under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways.
• Up to 18,800 people have applied under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
• Up to 12,600 people who have already been found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
• Up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of in-Canada PRs and Canadian citizens.

Important Note: The figures add up to 108,400, although IRCC describes the initiative as providing up to 100,000 additional admissions spaces.

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Who Can Benefit From Canada Additional PNP Allocations?

The measure primarily targets foreign individuals already working and living in Canada outside Quebec who are qualified to obtain permanent residence through the PNP. 

Provinces and territories can use their additional allocations to nominate professionals who meet the regional labour market needs.

This may benefit workers who:

• Are already living and working in Canada.
• Have skills and experience required by provincial employers.
• Meet the eligibility requirements of a suitable provincial nomination stream.
• Have established connections with their province or territory.

The additional spaces can support nominations through both base PNP streams and Express Entry-aligned PNP streams.

Can Existing PR Applicants Also Benefit From This Initiative?

Yes, the announcement also covers qualified professionals who have already submitted their PR applications and are waiting for a final approval. 

Provincial government can discover candidates from the following immigration routes: 

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
• Start-up Visa Program.
• Agri-Food Pilot.
• Home care worker programs.
• Self-Employed Persons Program.

These include chosen federal programs and pilots that are no longer accepting new applications. 

Eligible candidates are not required to submit another application or contract IRCC to have their current applications considered under these additional spaces. 

What Does Canada Additional PNP Allocation Mean for Applicants?

For foreign professionals already residing and working in Canada, the announcement could create additional opportunities to get a provincial nomination and move closer to PR, provided they satisfy the applicable criteria.

However, for those planning to immigrate to Canada from overseas, keep yourself updated with the regular Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program pathways. This additional allocation does not automatically extend to candidates living outside Canada.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: Canada Immigration Foreign Workers in Canada Canada Permanent Residence Canada PR Pathways Provincial Nominee Program Skilled Workers Canada Worker Retention Canada Canadian Immigration News Foreign Worker Retention Canada Work Permit Canada Immigration Policy Canada PR News