Canada to offer permanent residency to 1 lakh workers and families

The Canadian government has implemented a time-limited special arrangement to grant permanent residency (PR) during the year 2027 to 100,000 workers and their families already residing in the country. According to Canada's immigration department, the purpose of this move is to address worker shortages in the provinces and provide stability to people already settled there.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab stated that the federal government is providing additional quota to provinces and union territories. With this usage, provinces will be able to make workers associated with key industries in their regions permanent residents.

Under this scheme, provinces will be given additional allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Provincial governments can decide on their own how much of this additional space they will use according to their economic needs. This quota can be used until March 31, 2027.

According to the immigration department, provinces will also be able to select workers who have already applied for PR through various pathways including federal programs and are waiting for a decision.

The department has clarified that no new program has been launched under this move nor have old closed routes been reopened. Applicants will not need to do anything separately or contact the immigration department to have their files considered under this quota.

According to Minister Lena Metlege Diab, since these workers are already living in Canada, making them permanent will not place any new burden on the country's housing sector or local infrastructure. This will also ensure a continuous supply of skilled workers to businesses. This arrangement is separate from the 'In-Canada Worker Initiative' announced in Budget 2025.

Key developments

• Preparation to grant PR in 2027 to 1 lakh workers and their families already present in Canada
• Provinces to get additional quota under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Provincial governments will be able to use this quota until March 31, 2027
• Applicants do not need to apply separately or contact the immigration department