Ottawa has quietly launched a new immigration pathway that will allow tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers already in Canada to become permanent residents over the next two years.

Federal Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed that the program is now underway and will transition up to 33,000 workers from temporary to permanent status. The initiative was first announced in November as part of the federal government’s immigration levels plan and is expected to run through 2026 and 2027.

The measure targets foreign workers who are already employed in Canada, particularly those working in sectors experiencing persistent labour shortages. Officials have indicated the program will prioritize workers with established employment and community ties, including those in industries such as health support, skilled trades and other areas where vacancies remain difficult to fill.

Detailed eligibility rules and application figures have not yet been released. Federal officials say additional information about the rollout, including the number of applicants processed, is expected later this spring.

The initiative forms part of a broader federal immigration strategy under Prime Minister Mark Carney to shift the composition of Canada’s migrant population. The government has pledged to lower the proportion of non-permanent residents in the country to below five per cent of the population by 2027, down from about 6.8 per cent at the end of 2025.

Government data shows that millions of temporary residents are approaching the end of their legal status in Canada. More than 2.1 million permits expired in 2025, with roughly another 1.9 million expected to expire in 2026, raising concerns about how many people could remain in the country without legal status if they are unable to renew or transition to permanent residence.

Federal officials say converting workers who are already living and working in Canada into permanent residents is one way to stabilize the labour force while addressing the growing number of temporary residents whose permits are nearing expiry. In recent years, a significant portion of new permanent residents had previously held temporary status in Canada. 

The latest figures from Statistics Canada show immigration pressures remain high. Data indicates the number of newcomers in 2025 exceeded the federal target, potentially reaching about 415,000 arrivals. At the same time, an estimated 2.1 million to 2.9 million temporary residents, including people on work and study permits, either saw their permits expire or are expected to see them expire between 2025 and 2026. Despite those already in the country, the federal government’s 2026–2028 immigration levels plan still sets a target of 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026, adding to the growing number of people seeking to remain in Canada.