CANADA PLANS PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR 100,000 WORKERS, FAMILY MEMBERS

Canada is planning a pathway to permanent residency for about 100,000 workers and their family members in a move expected to provide greater immigration stability for eligible foreign nationals already living and working in the country.

The proposed measure is part of Canada's broader efforts to manage its immigration system while addressing labour shortages and supporting key sectors of the economy.

Permanent residency would allow successful applicants to live and work in Canada indefinitely, access several social benefits and eventually qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship if they meet the necessary requirements.

The initiative is part of a wider 2027 immigration plan that provides up to 200,000 additional permanent residency spaces for people already in Canada. Half of the spaces are reserved for eligible workers and their families, while the other half will cover specific humanitarian and family-related applications.

Under the workers' category, applicants must meet specific eligibility conditions. They include people awaiting decisions under selected immigration programmes, such as the Start-Up Visa Programme, Self-Employed Persons Programme, Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker pathways. Some workers eligible through the Provincial Nominee Programme will also be considered.

The government said the measure would be implemented in collaboration with provincial and territorial authorities to address labour needs in different parts of the country.

Canadian authorities explained that the initiative is intended to help people who have already established themselves in the country and are contributing to their communities. It is not a new immigration programme for people applying from overseas, nor does it automatically grant permanent residency to every foreign worker.

The development offers potential relief to eligible applicants facing lengthy processing periods and provides greater certainty for families seeking to build their futures in Canada.