New Canadian PR Pathways Announced for 2026 Immigration

All the New Pathways to Permanent Residence Coming to Canada in 2026

If you’re living and working in Canada temporarily—or hoping to make the move soon—then 2026 might just be your year. The Canadian government has announced several new and returning immigration pathways that will make it easier for temporary residents and skilled workers to become permanent residents.

From reopening popular pilots to launching brand-new streams targeting key sectors like construction, tech, agriculture, and home care, there’s a lot to look forward to. Let’s break it all down so you can stay ahead of the curve and prepare for what’s to come.

Key Highlights

• New TR to PR pathway will prioritize temporary workers already in Canada
• Accelerated PR stream coming for US H-1B visa holders
• Special pathways targeting construction, agriculture, and fish processing sectors
• Revamped Economic Mobility Pathway expected to replace the pilot program
• Home care and community-based immigration pilots set to reopen in 2026
• Reopening of capped streams from 2025, including caregiver and rural pilot programs

1. Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway

The federal government plans to fast-track up to 33,000 temporary workers into permanent residence over 2026 and 2027. The focus will be on individuals who’ve already put down roots in Canada—folks who are paying taxes, working hard, and contributing to their local communities.

This echoes a similar initiative from 2021 that was so popular it reached its application cap the same day it launched. While exact details are still under wraps, it’s expected that the new TR to PR pathway will be highly competitive.

Who’s this for?

• Temporary residents with valid work permits
• Individuals already integrated into Canadian society
• Workers contributing economically and socially to their communities

Stay tuned for updates on eligibility and required documentation, but it’s a good idea to get your papers in order well ahead of the launch.

2. Accelerated PR Pathway for US H-1B Visa Holders

Building on a successful 2023 pilot, Canada is introducing an express pathway to PR designed specifically for skilled workers on US H-1B visas. This initiative targets professionals in high-demand sectors like tech, healthcare, and research—part of Canada’s broader strategy to attract global talent and boost innovation.

The 2023 pilot maxed out its 10,000 application cap in just a few days, so there’s no doubt this new pathway will also generate strong interest.

Expected eligibility:

• Must hold a valid H-1B visa in the United States
• Likely to require qualifications in a high-demand occupation

Keep an eye out for updates as program details are expected to be announced in the coming months.

3. Permanent Residency Pathway for Construction Workers

To help address the ongoing housing crisis and skilled labour shortage, Canada plans to admit up to 14,000 foreign construction workers in 2026. This includes up to 6,000 spots reserved for undocumented workers already in the country. This is a significant step forward for an industry that’s been struggling to keep up with demand across the country.

Exact timelines and eligibility requirements haven’t been released just yet, but this pathway could be a game-changer for those working in trades and construction.

4. Sector-Specific Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing

Another key sector facing labour shortages is agriculture and fish processing. To respond to this, IRCC is working with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to launch a dedicated stream that will simplify the process of hiring foreign workers in these industries.

The new stream is expected to include a sector-specific work permit and expanded partner country agreements, making it easier for qualified candidates to come to Canada on a permanent basis.

While eligibility details are still pending, this stream is expected to open sometime between late 2025 and 2026.

5. New Permanent Pathway to Replace the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

The popular Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, which supports skilled refugees and displaced people, is expected to be replaced by a permanent program in 2026. As of March 2025, nearly 1,000 people had become permanent residents through this initiative.

Although the EMPP pilot has stopped accepting new applications, the new version is expected to maintain similar eligibility requirements—focusing on skilled refugees who can contribute to the Canadian workforce.

Key eligibility considerations:

• Must be a refugee or displaced person
• May need to meet certain work experience, education, and language requirements

This pathway could also play a role in helping about 115,000 protected persons in Canada transition to PR under a one-time initiative announced in the latest Immigration Levels Plan.

6. Reopening of Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

Two pilot programs launched in 2025—the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot—are expected to reopen in 2026. These programs reached their caps of 2,750 applications each almost immediately, showing just how high the demand is for caregiver immigration pathways.

Only the stream for applicants already working in Canada officially opened in 2025; the stream for overseas applicants remained closed. In 2026, IRCC plans to reopen the in-Canada stream once again.

Basic eligibility requirements:

• Full-time job offer in an eligible home care position
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher
• Secondary school diploma or equivalent
• At least six months of relevant work experience

7. Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

Launched in 2025, these two pilots aim to support smaller and rural communities in Canada (outside of Quebec) by bringing in skilled workers to fill local labour gaps. These are employer-led pilots, which means applicants need a valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.

In 2026, we may see new employer designations and updates to the list of in-demand occupations for both programs.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Valid job offer in a priority occupation
• At least one year of work experience (or a relevant post-secondary credential from the community)
• Language proficiency: CLB 4–6 for RCIP, or NCLC 5 in French for FCIP
• Education equivalent to a Canadian secondary school diploma or higher
• Proof of settlement funds

What This Means for You

If you’re currently working in Canada on a temporary permit, or if you’re overseas and planning your move, 2026 will offer more options than ever to make your permanent home in Canada. Whether you’re in construction, caregiving, tech, or agriculture, there’s likely a pathway that fits your background and goals.

Don’t wait until these programs open to start preparing. Having your documentation—like work experience letters, education credentials, and language test results—ready to go can give you a major edge when application windows open.

Looking to Settle in Manitoba?

Consider exploring the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a fantastic option for skilled workers looking to settle in the heart of Canada. Manitoba offers a strong economy, affordable living, and a high demand for skilled professionals across multiple industries.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s 2026 immigration landscape is shaping up to be one of the most inclusive and opportunity-rich yet. If you’ve been dreaming of calling Canada home, now’s the time to start planning. With new pathways and returning favourites, there’s never been a better moment to move toward permanent residency.

Want to see if you qualify?

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

And don’t forget to check out our guides on how to prepare your PR documents and tips on boosting your language test scores while you wait for these programs to launch.