The release of Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan on November 4, 2025, has sparked excitement among temporary residents—students, workers, and visitors already contributing to the country. While the plan reduces overall temporary admissions to 385,000 in 2026 (a 43% drop from 2025), it introduces targeted pathways to help up to 33,000 work permit holders transition to permanent residence (PR) between 2026 and 2027. This reflects a strategic shift toward retaining talent already in Canada, prioritizing economic growth and sustainability.
At Worldbridge, we’re guiding clients through these opportunities, from optimizing Express Entry profiles to securing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations. If you’re on a study permit, work visa, or visitor status, here’s how the new plan opens doors to PR—plus practical steps to position yourself for success.
The New PR Transition Program: A Lifeline for Work Permit Holders
A standout feature of the plan is a dedicated federal initiative for temporary workers who’ve “established strong roots” in Canada. This program will grant PR to up to 33,000 eligible individuals over two years, focusing on those in essential sectors like healthcare, trades, and tech. Key details:
- Eligibility Focus: 1+ year of Canadian work experience, proof of community ties (e.g., family, volunteering), and skills matching labor needs.
- No Lottery or Points System: Streamlined for in-Canada applicants, bypassing some Express Entry hurdles.
- Timeline: Applications open mid-2026; processing expected at 6-9 months.
This pathway rewards contributions—paying taxes, filling jobs, and integrating—while aligning with the plan’s 64% economic immigration target (244,700 spots in 2027-2028).
Established Routes Amplified by the Plan
Beyond the new program, temporary residents can leverage these proven paths, now with boosted allocations:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) via Express Entry: Ideal for those with 1 year of skilled Canadian work. Recent draws (e.g., November 12 CEC at CRS 533) favor in-Canada applicants. The plan’s economic emphasis means more CEC ITAs—aim for CRS 500+ with language upgrades.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): PNPs get ~55,000 spots annually, with provinces like Ontario (18,000) and Alberta prioritizing temporary residents. Streams like OINP’s International Student or BC PNP’s Skills Immigration offer +600 CRS points. Tip: Secure a job offer in a high-demand NOC code for fast-tracking.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to PR: Students on PGWPs (up to 3 years) can gain experience for CEC or PNPs. With study caps at 155,000/year, focus on Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in priority fields like nursing or IT.
- Family Sponsorship: Spouses/partners of PRs/citizens qualify after 12 months cohabitation; inland processing suits temporary residents.
- Protected Persons Pathway: Up to 115,000 spots for refugees and protected persons already in Canada, including a one-time recognition for eligible temporaries.
Temporary-to-PR success rates hover at 70-80% for in-Canada applicants, per recent data.
Steps to Transition: Your Action Plan
- Assess Eligibility Now: Use IRCC’s Come to Canada tool or our free CRS calculator. Build Canadian experience—volunteer, upskill via courses.
- Boost Your Profile: Improve language (CLB 7+ in French for low-CRS draws at 428) or get a PNP nomination.
- Gather Documents: Proof of funds (CAD 13,757 single), ties, and work history—avoid refusals (50%+ for temps) with completeness.
- Apply Strategically: Monitor draws (e.g., weekly Express Entry); submit via the new TR-to-PR portal launching Q2 2026.
- Seek Expert Support: Backlogs (1M+) delay 42% of apps—our RCICs at Worldbridge offer audits, job matching, and loans for extensions.
The plan closes some doors but widens others for those already here—turning temporariness into permanence. With 380,000 PR spots yearly, your window is open.
Let Worldbridge Immigration Services be your guide to a successful future in Canada
Contact us:
Website: www.theworldbridge.ca
Email: info@theworldbridge.ca
Phone/WhatsApp: +1-416-727-7766
Social media: @worldbridgeHQ
