Canada Fast-Tracks Permanent Residence for In-Canada Workers (TR-to-PR)

On May 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released further details on its In-Canada Workers Initiative, a one-time measure to accelerate permanent residence processing for certain temporary residents already in Canada.

The initiative targets applicants who have already submitted PR applications under designated programs and have been residing in rural or smaller communities for at least two years. Eligible candidates will be identified and processed directly by IRCC—no further action is required.

Programs included in this initiative are:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

• Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots

• Caregiver and Agri-Food pilots

The government aims to transition up to 33,000 workers to permanent residence between 2026 and 2027, with a focus on addressing labour shortages in rural regions.

As of early 2026, approximately 3,600 applicants have already been granted PR, with IRCC on track to meet its annual targets.

This initiative reflects Canada’s continued policy shift toward regional immigration and workforce stabilization outside major urban centres.