Canada is set to overhaul its permanent residency system in 2026 with two new pathways designed to attract skilled professionals and retain talent already contributing to its economy.
The first pathway targets temporary residents already living and working in Canada, with plans to transition up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent resident status over 2026–2027. The initiative prioritises those with existing jobs, tax records, and community ties, mirroring the success of the 2021 Temporary Residency2s-to-PR program. While full eligibility criteria are yet to be released, the government signals this could take the form of expedited processing or a dedicated PR stream managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The second pathway focuses on H-1B visa holders in the United States, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, engineering, science, and research. Building on the 2023 pilot program—which filled 10,000 slots within hours—the 2026 route will reportedly be more structured and competitive, aimed at retaining highly skilled workers who can integrate quickly into Canada’s labour market.
Immigration experts advise potential applicants to start preparing key documents, including language test results, police certificates, educational credentials, employment references, and valid identification. Early preparation will be crucial, given the expected high demand once the programs are officially launched.
With these two routes, Canada is clearly signalling that 2026 will be a pivotal year for skilled migration, offering rare opportunities for temporary residents in Canada and US-based H-1B workers to secure permanent status.
