On May 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported progress on a one-time initiative to move workers already in Canada to permanent residence
Faster Permanent Residence for up to 33,000 Workers in Smaller Communities
On May 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported progress on a one-time initiative to move workers already in Canada to permanent residence faster. The initiative was announced in Budget 2025 and is part of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
What is the Initiative?
IRCC aims to speed up the transition of up to 33,000 workers in Canada to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027: at least 20,000 in 2026 and the rest in 2027. The initiative is also meant to reduce existing permanent residence inventories and help fill labour gaps in smaller, rural and remote communities.
Who is Eligible?
Work permit holders who have already applied for permanent residence and who:
- applied through the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the community immigration pilots, the caregiver pilots or the Agri-Food Pilot; and
- have lived in smaller communities for 2 years or more.
Do Applicants Need to Apply Separately?
No. IRCC states that applicants do not need to take any action. IRCC is first prioritizing eligible applications already in its inventory.
Progress So Far
According to IRCC, 3,600 workers were granted permanent residence under this initiative between January 1 and February 28, 2026. IRCC will publish monthly progress updates on its website.
Why It Matters
The government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027. Moving workers who are already settled in Canada to permanent status supports that goal and keeps skilled workers in the communities that need them.
Next Steps for Applicants
- Keep your contact details and address up to date with IRCC.
- Respond promptly to any IRCC request for documents.
- Keep your work permit and status valid while your application is processed.
To review your path to permanent residence from a smaller community, complete our online assessment or contact our office to book a consultation.
Source: IRCC news – Faster PR for up to 33,000 workers in smaller communities