Canada Announces Major Changes to Permanent Residency System Starting 2026: Prioritizing In-Canada Applicants

 

The Canadian government is set to introduce significant reforms to its permanent residency (PR) pathways in 2026, with a strong focus on applicants already living and working in Canada. This strategic shift aims to transition temporary residents into permanent residents more efficiently while addressing critical labor shortages in key sectors.

According to recent federal announcements, Canada’s upcoming Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 will launch two major new permanent residency programs

1: Large-Scale Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Program

Starting in 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to invite up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers currently in Canada to apply for permanent residency over the 2026–2027 period. This initiative targets individuals already contributing to the Canadian economy through work permits, similar to the successful TR to PR pathway introduced in 2021.

2: New Fast-Track PR Pathway for US H-1B Visa Holders

Building on the overwhelming success of the 2023 pilot (which reached its 10,000-application cap in just hours), Canada will reintroduce a dedicated immigration stream for highly skilled professionals holding U.S. H-1B specialty occupation visas. The program targets talent in high-demand fields such as technology, engineering, healthcare, scientific research, and innovation-driven industries.

Dedicated Express Entry Category for International Doctors Coming in 2026

In a separate but related announcement made on Monday, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside Parliamentary Secretary Maggie Chi, revealed plans to create a new category-based Express Entry draw specifically for internationally trained physicians.

Key features of the new doctor-focused PR pathway include:

A dedicated Express Entry category for doctors with at least one year of work experience in Canada.

Invitations to apply (ITAs) expected to begin in early 2026.

5,000 reserved federal spaces allocated for provincial and territorial nominations of licensed physicians with valid job offers.

Priority 14-day work permit processing for nominated doctors, allowing them to continue working while their PR application is processed.

Minister Lena Metlege Diab stated:

“This new dedicated Express Entry category and reserved admission spaces will help bring ready-to-work doctors to communities across Canada, ensuring Canadians get the healthcare they need, when they need it.”

These upcoming changes signal Canada’s continued commitment to attracting and retaining skilled talent, particularly from within the country and from the neighboring United States, while addressing urgent needs in healthcare and high-growth sectors.