Immigration blog post — PS Immigration Consultancy

Up to 100,000 Workers to PR in 2027 — Via the Provinces

On 12 November 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab briefed in Dieppe, New Brunswick, with the first concrete detail on the workers half of the Budget 2026 time-limited measure: the Government of Canada is offering the provinces and territories optional, additional Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations to transition up to a combined total of 100,000 workers — and their families — to permanent residence in 2027.

The workers are people already living in Canada and contributing to key industries. Each province and territory chooses how much of the extra space it uses. The allocations are intended to be used by 31 March 2027, to support transitions to PR in 2027.

Provinces can also identify workers in their jurisdiction who have already applied for PR and are awaiting a decision — including through the Atlantic Immigration Program and federal programs and pilots now closed to applications, such as the Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programs.

What this is: the workers half of the up-to-200,000 measure announced in Budget 2026 for people already in Canada. The other half is the humanitarian cohort — up to 100,000 people, including up to 32,000 Hong Kong admissions and about 18,800 Ukraine admissions, plus up to 45,000 in-Canada spouses, partners and children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

What is still missing — and it matters: IRCC has published no eligibility criteria, no opening date and no individual application process for the workers cohort. There is no new pathway and no new application form. No province's share of the extra allocations has been published, and no worker can be guaranteed a place. The route runs through the provinces, and the details are still to come.

What workers in Canada should do now: keep your status valid, keep records of your Canadian work experience, and check whether your province's PNP streams already cover you — the extra allocations work through existing PNP routes, not a new one. Do not pay anyone who promises you a guaranteed spot under this measure; no such list exists yet.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a new pathway to PR?

No. It is extra PNP space offered to the provinces to move workers already in Canada to PR in 2027. It works through existing PNP routes.

Can I apply now?

No application has been published for this measure. IRCC has announced no opening date and no individual application process.

Who decides who moves to PR?

The provinces and territories. Each chooses how much of the extra PNP space to use, for workers established in its communities and meeting its labour market needs.

What is the deadline?

The extra allocations are intended to be used by 31 March 2027, to support transitions to PR in 2027.

I already applied for PR and am waiting — does this help me?

Possibly. Provinces can identify workers who already applied, including through the Atlantic Immigration Program and closed federal programs (Start-up Visa, Self-Employed, Agri-Food Pilot, home care worker programs). No list of who qualifies has been published.

Does this cover my family?

The 100,000 figure covers workers and their families together.

Are you a worker already in Canada waiting for PR? DM "WORKERS" on Instagram @psimmigration or call PS Immigration Consultancy — Pardeep Kumar Sharma, RCIC (Licence No. R710891) — +1 647-326-9562, 10 George St N, Suite 176, Brampton, ON (second location: 591 Remembrance Rd, Brampton). General information only; eligibility depends on your profile and IRCC decides.