Canada has officially launched one of the most significant immigration opportunities in recent years, and if you're a temporary worker already living and working in Canada, this could be your path to permanent residence. Here's what we know — and what we believe you should be doing right now.
What Is the TR-to-PR Pathway?
Canada has soft-launched a new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) pathway that will grant up to 33,000 foreign workers permanent residence over the next two years. The program is part of a one-time initiative under Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan and is designed to transition temporary workers who have established themselves in Canada into permanent residents.
Canada Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed in a March 6, 2026, interview that the program had been launched quietly, with more details to come in April. According to the government website, the one-time measure is aimed at temporary foreign workers "working in Canada, specifically in in-demand sectors," with a focus on those living in rural areas. CIC News
This program operates entirely outside of the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee frameworks.
Why Is Canada Doing This?
Government data shows that more than 2.1 million temporary residents had their permits expire in 2025, with a further 1.9 million permits expected to expire during 2026. These figures have raised concerns about the potential growth of undocumented residents if migrants remain in Canada after their status expires.
Canada Immigration: Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to reduce the non-permanent resident population to below 5 percent of Canada's total population by 2027. As of December 2025, temporary residents accounted for approximately 6.8 percent of the population. Transitioning temporary residents to permanent status is seen as one way to reduce this number without forcing large numbers of people to leave the country.
What Do We Know About Eligibility?
IRCC has not yet released the full eligibility criteria — that is expected in April 2026. However, based on our experience with previous programs and the information available to date, we anticipate the program will likely prioritize:
Temporary foreign workers currently in Canada with valid work permits
Workers employed in in-demand sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, agriculture, transportation, and hospitality
Workers with established ties to rural and smaller communities
Applicants who can demonstrate language proficiency meeting minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements
Individuals who meet admissibility criteria, including clean criminal records
Please note: The above reflects Ackah Business Immigration Law's best assessment based on our experience with previous programs and publicly available government statements. These are not confirmed eligibility rules. We will update this post as IRCC releases official guidance in April 2026.
Why Speed Matters — A Lesson from 2021
The original, large-scale TR to PR pathway launched on May 6, 2021, and officially closed its application intake on November 5, 2021. Liberty Immigration It was a first-come, first-served race to submit applications through the IRCC portal. Some streams filled within a few hours, and many applicants experienced portal crashes and other technical issues.
The 2026 version has a hard limit of 33,000 spaces distributed over two years — meaning competition will be fierce. The applicants who succeed will be the ones who are document-ready on day one. Canxglobal
What Documents Should You Be Gathering Now?
While we await official confirmation of the program requirements, our experience tells us that most Canadian PR programs require the following. Starting to prepare these now gives you the best possible chance of submitting a complete application quickly when the portal opens.
1. Proof of Language Proficiency: Language test results are a cornerstone of virtually all Canadian immigration programs. Accepted tests include CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada. Results are typically valid for two years from the date of the test.
2. Police Certificates: Police certificates are required for every country where you lived for six months or longer in the past 10 years after the age of 18. Processing times vary significantly by country — some can take weeks or months — so this is one of the most time-sensitive documents to request.
3. Proof of Education: If you are claiming foreign educational credentials, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) will likely be required. ECAs are generally valid for five years. If you have Canadian education credentials, official transcripts and diplomas should be gathered.
4. Employment Records: Documents confirming your work history — including employer reference letters clearly describing your job duties, hours, salary, and dates of employment, as well as pay stubs, T4 tax documents, and employment contracts — will be essential.
5. Proof of Current Employment in Canada: Your valid Canadian work permit, recent pay stubs, an employer reference letter, and your employment contract will help confirm you are currently working legally in Canada.
6. Identity and Civil Status Documents: Passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any name change documents. If any documents are not in English or French, certified translations will be required.
7. Travel History: A detailed record of travel outside your country of origin or residence for the past 10 years, supported by passport stamps, travel logs, or booking confirmations.
8. Documents for Family Members: If you plan to include dependants in your application, they will also need passports, police certificates, and travel histories. Even non-accompanying family members must typically be declared.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Don't wait for April's announcement to start gathering documents.
Book your language test if your results are expired or expiring soon.
Request police certificates immediately—they have the longest lead time.
Contact an immigration lawyer to assess your eligibility and ensure your application will be as strong as possible.
At Ackah Business Immigration Law, we are closely monitoring all IRCC updates and will provide guidance to our clients as the program details are confirmed. If you have questions about whether this pathway may apply to you, we encourage you to contact our team to learn more about booking a legal strategy session with our managing lawyer.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects our best assessment based on publicly available government information and our professional experience with previous Canadian immigration programs. It does not constitute legal advice. Program eligibility requirements have not yet been officially confirmed by IRCC. Please consult with a qualified immigration lawyer before making any decisions.
