Should You Prepay for the TR to PR Program?

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan confirmed that a one-time TR to PR pathway would facilitate the transition of 33,000 temporary residents in Canada to permanent residence between 2026 and 2027. Since then, there has been lots of noise about the TR to PR program, but no official announcement has been made. 

Misinformation and Inconsistent Messaging on TR to PR 

In a letter to Immigration Minister Lena Diab, the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) has called out the misinformation currently spreading about the one-time TR to PR pathway.Unfortunately, some of this misinformation comes directly from the Minister. 

In early March, in an interview with Toronto Star, Minister Diab suggested that the TR to PR program had already been launched. She stated that she could not confirm how many people had already been transitioned to permanent residence, but that more details would be released in April. 

Understandably, this led to confusion and anxiety among temporary residents who did not want to “miss out” on this limited-time opportunity. Immigration consultants and lawyers reported getting a flurry of inquiries about the program from temporary residents. 

To add to the confusion, in an interview in April, Minister Diab reiterated that we’d hear more about TR to PR in the coming weeks. However, this time, her responses suggested that the eligibility requirements for the program had not yet been finalized. For instance, when she was asked whether the program would be sector specific, she said that the detailed criteria would come out soon. 

Many Applicants See TR to PR as Their Last Chance to Stay in Canada

Rebecca Major, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), has been receiving many inquiries from PR-hopefuls, including foreign workers whose work permits are expiring this year. “Several times a week, I hear from in-Canada applicants who see the TR to PR pathway as their lifeline to remain in the country. Many people have no other options, and are desperate for any and all information,” she says. 

“I do not think IRCC fully appreciates how high the stakes are here. This TR to PR program feels make-or-break for many applicants. And when that level of desperation sets in, people will do almost anything to get ahead. And there are always bad actors who will take advantage of this,” warns Rebecca. 

And she’s right. 

The Rise of TR to PR “Application Prep” and Waitlists 

Some immigration practitioners, including unauthorized ones, saw this misinformation and lack of clarity as an opportunity. There has been a surge of social posts and messaging from immigration practitioners encouraging temporary residents to join waitlists for the TR to PR program applications.  

To be clear, these are not IRCC waitlists. People will only be putting their name and information on the roster of an immigration practitioner and expressing interest in hiring them to file a TR to PR application. 

What’s surprising is that many practitioners are asking people to prepay for the TR to PR applications. In most cases, this is a token fee or a partial prepayment of the consulting fee the immigration practitioner will charge.  

The rationale behind the fee is to be first in line when the program opens. What’s left unsaid is that getting on a waiting list does not increase your chances of qualifying for the program.

Why Prepaying for the TR to PR Pathway Makes No Sense 

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t prepay for a TR to PR application or to get on a waitlist. 

No clarity on whether the program has been launched 

There has been no official announcement about the launch of the TR to PR program. Immigration practitioners, too, don’t have clear direction on what the program will look like, when it will launch, or who will be eligible. In fact, there’s a slim possibility that the pathway has already launched, and candidates are being selected through other programs. 

No way to confirm whether you will be eligible for the TR to PR pathway 

Just like you wouldn’t prepay for something you’re not sure you will buy, prepaying for an immigration application you’re not certain to qualify for is not a good idea. 

Until detailed eligibility criteria or program requirements are released by the IRCC, it all comes down to guesswork. If it later comes to light that you’re not eligible, you may not be able to get a refund. 

Getting on a waitlist does not increase your chances of qualifying 

These waitlists are not official government waitlists and you’re not prepaying the application fee to the government. As such, being on a waitlist does not mean your application will necessarily be considered. In fact, since nobody knows who will be eligible, getting on a waitlist has no impact on your chances of qualifying.  

Risk of getting stuck with an unethical immigration practitioner 

An immigration practitioner offering to help you “get ready” for the TR to PR program ahead of time may be trying to mislead you. Unfortunately, there are many unauthorized or unscrupulous agents who offer success guarantees or claim to have connections with the IRCC. Decisions on immigration applications are made by IRCC, and immigration practitioners cannot get your file to the top of the pile or influence the government’s decision on your application. You should steer clear of anyone who makes such claims. 

It is your responsibility to make sure your representative, if you choose to have one, is an RCIC or immigration lawyer authorized to provide immigration services for Canada.

What IRCC Can Do to Stop Misinformation About TR to PR 

A large part of the anxiety prospective applicants are currently facing comes from lack of information. Here are our recommendations on what IRCC can do to create a level playing field and protect applicant interests:  

• Open an Expression of Interest pool: By opening an EOI style application, IRCC can create a more equitable system that won’t be first-come, first-serve. A first-come, first-serve system could put those who have paid to prepare an application at an advantage, and this is likely why people are scrambling to get on waitlists. An EOI style application system would create a pool of candidates, and IRCC can then issue invitations either by lottery or conduct targeted selection (if they want to choose the top candidates). Once a candidate is invited, they can submit an application for permanent residence with supporting documentation. 

• Give advanced notice of program opening: If an EOI isn’t feasible, IRCC should give advanced notice of the program opening, to give everyone time to prepare their applications. 

• Release eligibility criteria: Instead of releasing information about the program in bits and pieces, IRCC should formally announce the eligibility criteria and selection process. This will ensure candidates know whether they qualify and prevent ruthless agents from taking advantage of vulnerable applicants. 

What to Do If You’re Interested in the TR to PR Pathway 

There are still some things you may be able to do to get your application submitted quickly once the program opens. These include having up-to-date language test results, getting clarity on your NOC if needed, and requesting work experience letters from your employers. If needed, you should get your documents translated into English or French. 

That said, we would strongly advise against making any premature decisions, based on the hope of qualifying for TR to PR, at least until further eligibility information is released. 

You should also follow immigration updates closely, but make sure your sources are credible. You can also join the Moving2Canada community to get the latest immigration program information delivered to your inbox.