Canada’s New Permanent Residence Pathways Launching in 2026
In 2026, Canada will introduce several new pathways to permanent residence (PR). In the upcoming year, the in-Canada applicants will be prioritized by the federal government through various pathways and programs which will focus on transitioning temporary residents into permanent residents.
There will also be reopening of intake periods in 2026 for some pathways and immigration streams that were closed after meeting their cap in 2025.
Here’s a detailed list of all the PR pathways expected to be launched in 2026 with their eligibility.
Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway
The federal government has announced its plan to expedite the transition up to 33,000 temporary work permit holders to permanent residence over 2026 and 2027 as per The Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028.
Read More ...
Workers who have established strong roots in their communities and are contributing to the Canadian economy by paying taxes will be targeted through this initiative.
IRCC temporary resident to permanent resident pathway is the most in-demand program as in 2021 it was introduced for a limited time, and it hit its cap on the same day it was launched.
Details and eligibility:
The details on how the government is planning to implement this expedite transition are yet to be announced. To increase your chances for PR once the new pathway opens should readily prepare the necessary documents to be able to apply on time as many previously lost the opportunity due to incomplete documents. So, here’s a list of documents you should be ready with:
Required Documents for Canada PR (Applicants Outside Canada)
Proof of Language Proficiency
Documents that demonstrate your ability to communicate in English and/or French:
- Language test results (approved tests include IELTS General, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada)
- Must be taken within the validity period (2 years) at the time of PR application
- Scores must meet the minimum requirements of your immigration program
Proof of Criminal Background Check(s)
Documents confirming you do not have a criminal record:
- Police certificates from every country where you lived for 6 months or longer since the age of 18
- Certificates must be recent (usually issued within the last 6–12 months)
- Must include translations if not in English or French
Proof of Education
Evidence of academic credentials:
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees (WES, IQAS, CES, ICAS, MCC, PEBC, etc.)
- Transcripts or degree certificates for Canadian studies (if any)
- ECAs must be valid for 5 years at the time of application
Travel History
Documents showing your past international travel:
- Travel log listing all countries visited, with dates
- Airline ticket confirmations (optional but useful)
- Passports (current and previous) showing entry/exit stamps and visas
Support of Employment (Past Work Experience)
Proof of your work history used for eligibility or points:
- Complete employment history (job titles, dates, duties)
- Reference letters from employers detailing roles, hours, salary, and responsibilities
- Pay slips, tax records, or employment contracts to support the letters
- For those with Canadian experience: T4s, NOAs, Canadian employment contracts
Proof of Current Employment (If Employed at the Time of Application)
If you are working at the time of PR application:
- Employment contract
- Employer reference letter confirming active employment
- Recent pay stubs
- Work permit (if previously worked in Canada or under a work visa abroad, depending on pathway)
Documentation of Organizational Affiliations
This applies if you are claiming community involvement or required to declare affiliations:
- List of organizations you have donated to or volunteered with
- Reference letters from organizations confirming involvement
- Receipts for charitable donations
Identity Documents
Proof of your personal identity and civil status:
- Passport (must be valid throughout the process)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, divorce decree (if applicable)
- Adoption documents (if applicable)
- National identity cards (optional but sometimes requested)
Translations
- Required if any document is not in English or French:
- Certified translations
Required Documents for In-Canada Applicants
Proof of Status in Canada
- Valid temporary status document (work permit, study permit, visitor record)
- Entry stamp or electronic entry record
- Proof of maintained status (if applicable)
Language Proficiency
- CELPIP language test results (or other approved tests)
- Proof of booking if results are pending
Documents for Accompanying Family Members
Identity Documents
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Civil status documents
Travel History
- Travel logs
- Airline booking confirmations
- Passports with entry/exit stamps
Proof of Criminal Background Check(s)
- Police certificates
Documents Required Only in Specific Situations
Letter(s) of Explanation
- Police certificates
- Clarification of address gaps, employment gaps, name inconsistencies, or other discrepancies
Proof of Common-Law Relationship
- Joint lease agreements
- Shared bills or utility statements
- Joint bank accounts or credit cards
- Proof of shared address
Name Change Certificates
- Legal name change documents (if applicable)
Expedited Pathway for H-1B Holders
For US H-1B visas holder the Canadian government signaled its plan to launch a new expedited pathway to permanent residence in the 2025 federal budget. As a part of Canada’s strategy to boost innovation in its key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and research. This upcoming program is designed to attract highly skilled professionals in these sectors.
It has been indicated by the officials that “in the coming months,” this pathway will launch, although specific dates or detailed criteria are yet to be announced.
This move is built on a successful 2023 pilot which reached its 10,000-application cap within days due to overwhelming demand as this program offered three-year open work permits to H-1B visa holders.
Details and eligibility:
Having a US H-1B visa will most likely be a prerequisite to apply for this PR pathway as the government is yet to share specific details on this upcoming pathway.
PR Pathway for Construction Workers
Up to 14,000 foreign national construction workers would be admitted to Canada as IRCC announcement in March 2025. Further details on whether they would be admitted under permanent, temporary or a combination of both pathways are yet to been given.
The then immigration minister Marc Miller had stated that up to 6,000 immigration spaces would be reserved for undocumented construction workers who are already in Canada.
Amidst the housing supply shortage this initiative was launched to support Canada’s construction sector, which has faced persistent shortages for construction workers.
As of now, the government is yet to release the details on the implementation of this program and the eligibility criteria for applicants.
Agriculture and fish processing stream
IRCC revealed in its 2025-2026 Department Plan to create a sector-specific stream for foreign workers in agriculture and fish processing. By streamlining the hiring of workers in these sectors, this new stream would expand through partner country agreements. With a goal to launch in 2025–2026, IRCC noted at the time of the announcement it was developing this stream in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The program will feature a dedicated work permit dedicated to this sector.
More details and eligibility are yet to be disclosed.
New Replacement pathway for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
To replace the existing Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), the federal government is also expected to create a new permanent pathway to PR.
The EMPP program is designed for Canadian employers to access new labor pool by helping skilled refugees and displaced people looking for work in Canada.
The permanent program was expected to launch before December 31, 2025, which is when the current EMPP pilot will expire, but since the program’s featured details and eligibility rules have not yet been released, which means this may launch in 2026 instead as per the IRCC’s 2025–2026 Departmental Plan.
It was announced by the federal government in its most recent Immigration Levels Plan, that they would implement a one-time initiative for about 115,000 protected persons who are already in Canada to streamline the transition to permanent residence. Not necessarily, but this transition is foreseen to come under the upcoming Economic Mobility Pathway.
As per the most recent government data of 2019 – Mar 2025, a total of 970 people has been admitted to Canada through the EMPP since its launch. Although the program is currently no longer accepting new applications for the Federal EMPP No Job Offer and Job Offer streams
Details and eligibility:
The criteria of the new pathway are expected to be similar to those of EMPP.
Candidates must be able to prove their status as a refugee or displaced person to be eligible for the EMPP.
They may also have to meet additional criteria in relation to work experience, education, and language skills.
Existing Pathways Re-opening for new Intakes
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
IRCC launched two temporary initiative pilot programs in March, 2025 through which home care workers with job offers can gain permanent residency:
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Each pathway had two application streams, one for workers inside Canada and another for applicants not working in Canada.
Read More ...
Both pilots accepted 2,750 applications each in 2025 and reached their caps within the same day of launching. For or out-of-status home care workers in Canada, a limited number of these spaces was reserved.
On the IRCC’s page the stream for applicants not working in Canada never opened and is now labelled as “closed” although the stream for workers inside Canada when opened reached its cap in a day
For 2026 It is expected that IRCC will reopen these pilots’ streams for the applicants working in Canada.
Details and eligibility:
To qualify for these pilots, applicants must have a full-time eligible job offer in Canada. They must also meet following certain criteria:
- Language proficiency: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher.
- Education: Secondary school diploma or higher.
- Work experience: Six months’ work experience.
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
Launched in 2025, both the FCIP and RCIP are pilot programs to help employers address labor shortages in rural communities outside Quebec.
These pathways are for those who wish to live and settle in these communities permanently being skilled foreign workers with in-demand skills.
For a candidate to be eligible both the RCIP and FCIP require a job offer as they are employer-led pathways. Other required eligibility criteria for candidates to meet include education, work experience, language proficiency, and settlement funds. The candidates for FCIP also need to prove French language proficiency.
In 2026 we may see new employer designations and priority sectors and occupations being announced by participating communities as these pathways have not closed.
Details and eligibility:
Foremostly, applicants need to have a qualifying job offer in the priority field of occupation and sector as chosen by the community they intend to settle in.
Read More ...
The other criteria they need to meet include:
Work experience: Have at least one year (or 1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years or have graduated from an eligible post-secondary school in the community.
Language proficiency: Meet English or French language proficiency requirements: For the RCIP, it ranges between Canadian Language Benchmark 4 – 6, (depending on the job offer’s NOC code), attested by valid language test results from the past two years. For the FCIP, applicants must display French language ability equivalent to a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 5 in all language abilities.
Education: Canadian secondary school diploma or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree (or foreign equivalent).
Settlement funds: Have enough money to support themselves and their families through the settlement process.
Conclusion
The year 2026 marks an exciting chapter in Canada’s immigration story, offering renewed hope and expanded opportunities for people from all walks of life.
Read More ...
Whether you’re a skilled professional, a dedicated care worker, a construction tradesperson, or someone who has already begun building your life in Canada, the federal government’s commitment to welcoming diverse talent means there may be a pathway designed with you in mind. While some programs fill quickly and require careful preparation, the sheer variety of new initiatives demonstrates Canada’s genuine dedication to becoming home for those willing to contribute to its communities and economy. The key is to stay informed, gather your documentation early, and remain optimistic—because for many aspiring Canadians, 2026 could be the year their dreams of permanent residence finally become reality. Your journey to calling Canada home may be closer than you think.
tag:
Share:
Admin