2 New Canada Permanent Residency Pathways Coming In 2026

Last Updated On 8 December 2025, 9:49 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada is preparing for a major shift in its permanent residency system in 2026 as the federal government moves aggressively toward prioritizing in-Canada applicants.

According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028 and commitments outlined in the federal budget, two major permanent residency programs are expected to emerge in 2026.

These include a large-scale temporary resident to permanent resident initiative and an accelerated PR pathway for US H-1B visa holders.

Below is a complete breakdown of the two upcoming PR pathways in 2026, followed by a detailed document checklist every applicant should be aware of.

Temporary Resident To Permanent Resident Pathway (2026–2027)

Canada is preparing to relaunch a large-scale transition program for temporary residents following a commitment made in the Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028.

Under this new initiative, the federal government plans to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary work permit holders to permanent residence across 2026 and 2027.

This upcoming pathway will specifically target workers who have already established strong roots in Canada. These include individuals who:

Are actively working in Canada
Are paying taxes
Have long-term community ties
Are contributing to critical sectors of the economy

This marks the second major attempt at a national transition pathway after the highly popular 2021 TR to PR program, which hit its cap on the very day it opened.

Details And Eligibility (What We Know So Far)

As of now, the government has not released full eligibility criteria or program structure.

However, based on the official language used in the budget, there is a critical distinction that applicants must understand.

The wording states this is a “one-time measure to accelerate the conversion of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence.”

This creates two possible scenarios:

A brand-new standalone PR stream could be launched
Or the government could simply introduce faster processing or targeted draws under existing programs

Because of this wording, there is also a possibility that this initiative may not become a formally named program in 2026.

Instead, IRCC could implement internal measures to fast-track PR conversion for certain workers.

That said, based on historic precedent and political pressure to reduce temporary status backlogs, expectations remain extremely high that a formal intake-based PR stream will open.

However, we won’t be betting on it 100% until IRCC releases more details or exact eligibility criteria.

When the 2021 TR to PR pathway launched, it reached its full intake within hours due to overwhelming demand.

Any similar pathway in 2026 is expected to face the same result.

Accelerated Permanent Residency Pathway For H-1B Visa Holders

The second PR initiative for 2026 is an accelerated permanent residence pathway for holders of US H-1B visas.

This pathway was formally announced in the 2025 federal budget and is designed to help Canada attract highly skilled professionals from the United States in sectors such as:

Technology
Healthcare
Engineering
Scientific research
Innovation-driven industries

Government officials have indicated that this pathway will launch “in the coming months,” although no fixed intake date or detailed eligibility criteria have been released yet.

How This Program Builds On The 2023 H-1B Pilot

Canada previously tested its appeal to H-1B holders in 2023 through a special open work permit program.

Eligibility at that time was simple:

The applicant had to be living in the United States
The applicant had to hold a valid H-1B visa

The cap was set at 10,000 applications. Demand shattered expectations. The entire intake filled within a few hours.

That pilot revealed three powerful trends:

Massive interest from H-1B workers in relocating to Canada
Immediate readiness to move once a pathway opens
Strong alignment between Canada’s labour shortages and the skill profile of H-1B workers

The upcoming 2026 accelerated PR pathway is expected to be far more structured, long-term, and competitive than the 2023 pilot.

Early Preparation Is Critical For 2026 PR Programs

History has already delivered a clear warning. In 2021, the TR to PR pathway and, in 2023, the H-1B open work permit program filled within a few hours.

Many highly qualified applicants lost their chance simply because they did not have key documents ready, especially:

Language test results
Police certificates
Employment reference letters

Police certificates alone can take several months to obtain. Language tests can take weeks for scheduling and results.

Waiting until a program officially opens may cost applicants their opportunity permanently.

To help maximize your chances, here is the full document checklist you must prepare in advance for any 2026 permanent residency program.

Complete PR Document Checklist For 2026 Applicants

Proof Of Language Proficiency:
- Language test results from an approved provider. Take your language proficiency test as soon as possible, as it is valid for 2 years.
Police clearance certificates
Proof Of Education
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees
- Transcripts for Canadian degrees
Travel History
- Travel log
- Airline booking confirmations
- All passport pages
Support Of Employment
- Complete employment history
- Employer reference letters
- T4 slips
- Employment contracts
Proof Of Current Employment In Canada
- Valid work permit
- Employer reference letter
- Pay stubs
- Employment contract
Identity Documents
- Passport (Passports should be renewed early to avoid expiration during processing.)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or adoption documents
Translations
- Certified translations (Plus a scan of the original document)
- Translator affidavit for non-certified translations (Family members cannot act as translators)

Documents For Accompanying Family Members

Identity Documents

Passports
Birth certificates
Marriage documents
Civil status records

Travel History

Travel logs
Airline confirmations
Passport pages

Criminal Background Checks

Police certificates

Documents Required Only In Certain Situations

Letters Of Explanation

Address employment gaps
Clarify document inconsistencies
Explain unavailable records

Proof Of Common-Law Relationship

Joint leases
Utility bills
Bank accounts
IMM 5409 form

Name Change Certificates (if applicable)

Language Testing Rules For PR Applicants

Language testing is mandatory for most economic PR programs. Results must:

Come from an IRCC-approved provider
Be valid on the day of application
Be less than two years old

Accepted tests include:

CELPIP-General
IELTS General Training
PTE Core
TEF Canada
TCF Canada

If your test expires before you apply, you must retake it.

Police Certificates: Timing Rules That Can Delay Applications

Police certificates are required for:

You
All family members aged 18+
Every country lived in for six months or more over the past 10 years

Rules to remember:

No certificate is required for time spent in Canada
Current-country certificates must be issued within six months of applying
Past-country certificates must be issued after your last stay of six months

Processing times vary widely and can take months in some countries.

Proof Of Education Requirements

For foreign education, IRCC requires a valid ECA from an approved provider. ECAs:

Confirm Canadian equivalency
Are valid for five years

For Canadian education:

No ECA is needed
Final transcripts and proof of graduation are sufficient

Travel History Requirements

Applicants must submit IMM 5562 and list all travel outside their country of residence for:

The past 10 years
Or since age 18

Officers cross-check travel history with criminal background checks. Any inconsistencies can lead to delays or refusals.

Employment Documentation Requirements

Most programs require documented work experience verified through:

Employer reference letters
Pay stubs
Employment contracts
T4 slips

Reference letters must include:

Job title
Duties
Hours worked
Salary
Employment dates
Employer contact information

Job duties must be written by the employer and not copied from NOC descriptions.

Proof Of Current Employment In Canada

When required, IRCC verifies active employment using:

A valid work permit
Employer reference letter
Recent pay stubs

Short intake windows and capped programs are expected again in 2026.

Having documents ready could be the difference between submitting a successful application and missing the intake entirely.

With both a national temporary resident transition initiative and a new accelerated H-1B PR pathway expected to launch, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important years for in-Canada PR applicants in recent history.

If even one of these streams opens with a hard intake cap, applications will likely be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Preparation is no longer optional.

The federal government has made it clear: Canada’s future permanent residents will increasingly come from those already contributing inside the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the fastest way to get permanent residency in Canada in 2026?

Express Entry continues to be the fastest way to get permanent residency in Canada in 2026 once you receive an invitation to apply (ITA). Express Entry has an average processing time of within 6 months after you submit all the supporting documents.

Can temporary workers apply for permanent residency without Express Entry in 2026?

Yes, temporary workers may be able to apply for PR in 2026 without Express Entry if intake-based public policies or capped federal streams open outside the Express Entry system. These programs are typically first-come, first-served and operate independently of CRS scores.

Will H-1B visa holders need Canadian work experience for PR?

Based on past program design, Canadian work experience may not be mandatory for the H-1B pathway. Selection is expected to focus on skills, sector demand, and ability to integrate quickly into the Canadian labour market rather than prior Canadian employment.

Does Canada plan to reduce reliance on overseas permanent residents?

Yes. Canada is shifting long-term immigration strategy toward converting existing temporary residents into permanent residents. This reduces housing pressure, speeds up labour market integration, and cuts settlement costs.

Can international students benefit from the 2026 PR programs?

Yes. International graduates with post-graduation work permits, Canadian education, and skilled work experience are expected to be among the strongest candidates for any 2026 in-Canada PR intake programs.

What happens if a PR program reaches its cap before I apply?

Once a PR intake reaches its cap, applications immediately stop being accepted. Late submissions are rejected automatically, regardless of eligibility. This is why applicants who wait to prepare documents after launch often lose their opportunity.

Will family members be processed at the same time as PR applicants?

Yes. Spouses, partners, and dependent children are processed together during PR applications. However, background checks, medical exams, and police certificates are evaluated individually, which means one family member’s delay can slow down the entire application.

Can PR applications be refused even after submission of all the documents?

Yes. Applications can still be refused due to misrepresentation, incomplete documents, expired tests, inconsistent travel history, incorrect employment duties, or criminal inadmissibility—even when you submitted your documents before the intake limits had been reached.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.