Canada Quietly Launches New TR to PR Transition Program

In the article, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab says a soft launch of the program is already underway. The program will offer permanent resident status to up to 33,000 skilled temporary foreign workers within in-demand sectors over the next two years.

The program was announced last November as part of the Immigration Levels Plan, but this is the first time any details have been released. In the Star article, Minister Diab says she can’t say how many have already been invited, but we can expect more details about the program in April. 

How Did the Program Launch Already Without Anyone Knowing? 

The lack of information surrounding the program is disappointing, as is the lack of an official announcement or any information regarding eligibility. Many PR hopefuls were waiting for a clear launch of the program, especially those who might not otherwise be considered competitive. 

With so little information, and the Minister’s statement that the transitions have already started, it’s hard to say how the program works or if it is a standalone program at all.  

Despite a lack of transparency, one thing we can conclude is that IRCC is using existing permanent residence programs to single out eligible candidates. This could include pulling from the Express Entry application pool, the Provincial Nominee Program, or other pathways such as the Rural Community Immigration Pilot or Atlantic Immigration Program. 

Either way, the new program was expected to start early this year. According to the Levels Plan, the initiative will target workers already in Canada who have “established strong roots in their communities, are paying taxes and are helping to build the strong economy Canada needs.” 

This hints at favouring temporary foreign workers over international students and those on a visitor visa. There is also a similarity between the language used here, and the language IRCC often uses to describe the Provincial Nominee Program. 

Still, it’s anyone’s guess how IRCC is selecting program participants, and we will need to wait until April to get the full picture. 

What can temporary residents do? 

For now, temporary residents interested in PR will have to sit tight and wait for follow up information next month.  

In the meantime, the best thing anyone can do is make sure they stay in status by getting an extension or applying for a new permit. Then, do everything you can to maximize your existing permanent residence application.  

Express Entry candidates waiting for an ITA should review their profile and see if they can increase their Comprehensive Ranking System score.   

Again, we don’t know where IRCC is pulling applicants from, so it can’t hurt to explore other options for PR as well if you don’t think you have a strong chance of PR through Express Entry or the PNP.  

Check out this video for more detail on how to stay in Canada if your work permit is expiring

Temporary Resident permits expiring in record numbers 

Transitioning temporary residents into permanent residents helps IRCC meet two goals: reducing the temporary resident population and increasing the permanent resident population while maintaining an in-Canada focus. 

The program launch comes at a time when Canada is facing an all-time high number of expiring temporary resident permits. According to data obtained through an Access to Information Request (ATIP) last January, up to 314,538 work permits will expire by the end of this month alone, rising as high as 770,000 by June.  

Most of these permits were issued during, and just after, the pandemic when IRCC was welcoming record numbers of newcomers. Since then, the department has changed its position and is now trying to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada to less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027. 

Minister Diab recommends anyone who wants to stay in Canada should apply for an extension (if eligible) or leave the country once their permit expires.