Skip to content
Out-Of-Status Construction workers GTA

IRCC Doubles PR Quota For Out-Of-Status Construction Workers In GTA


Last Updated On 20 January 2023, 1:04 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Today, IRCC announced doubling the Permanent Residency (PR) quota, for the out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport and Peter Fonseca, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville made this announcement today, on the behalf of IRCC Minister Sean Fraser.

Out-Of-Status Construction Workers pilot program was initially announced in 2019 with allocation of PR spots to 500 out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Today, IRCC extended and expanded, doubling its scope to 1,000 out-of-status construction workers in the GTA.

GTA for this pilot program consists of City of Toronto and the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, York. This pilot is currently open until January 2, 2024.

Eligibility For Out-Of Status Construction Workers Pilot Program?

Applicants with significant work experience in construction occupations in the GTA, family members in Canada, and a referral letter from the CLC.

Furthermore, they have no reason for being inadmissible other than overstaying their visa and working without authorization.

You can apply for permanent residency under this governmental policy, if you:

  • have entered Canada as a temporary resident but currently have no status
  • live in Canada and have been here for at least 5 years
  • have worked a minimum of 4,680 hours in these 5 years (1 full-time job OR 1 or more part-time jobs OR a combination of full-time and part-time work)
  • have family in Canada (mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin)
  • be referred by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
  • be otherwise admissible to Canada

List of Eligible Occupations For Out-Of Status Construction Workers Pilot Program

  • NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
  • NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
  • NOC 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
  • NOC 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
  • NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
  • NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
  • NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers
  • NOC 72103 – Boilermakers
  • NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • NOC 72105 – Ironworkers
  • NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
  • NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
  • NOC 72202 – Power system electricians
  • NOC 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
  • NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable workers
  • NOC 72205 – Telecommunications installation and repair workers
  • NOC 72300 – Plumbers
  • NOC 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  • NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
  • NOC 72310 – Carpenters
  • NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
  • NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
  • NOC 72321 – Insulators
  • NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
  • NOC 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
  • NOC 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
  • NOC 72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations
  • NOC 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
  • NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • NOC 72403 – Railway carmen/women
  • NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • NOC 72405 – Machine fitters
  • NOC 72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics
  • NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • NOC 72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
  • NOC 72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
  • NOC 72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers
  • NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics
  • NOC 72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
  • NOC 72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers
  • NOC 72500 – Crane operators
  • NOC 72501 – Water well drillers
  • NOC 72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations
  • NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
  • NOC 73101 – Tilesetters
  • NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
  • NOC 73111 – Glaziers
  • NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers
  • NOC 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • NOC 73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers
  • NOC 73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women
  • NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
  • NOC 73401 – Printing press operators
  • NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
  • NOC 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers

New OAS Clawback Rules In 2026

Many Canadians could notice changes to Old Age Security payments this summer as new OAS clawback rules take effect for the next recovery period. The adjustment is based on income reported on 2025 tax returns, which means the July payment change may not match someone’s current financial situation in 2026. The Government of Canada has…

New Canada Immigration Levels 2027-2029 Consultations Open Now

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially opened the 2026 consultations on immigration levels, running from May 12 to June 14, 2026. Canada is giving the public a direct opportunity to influence the next chapter of its immigration system, and the window is narrow. The feedback collected through an online survey will help inform…

New IRCC Processing Times As Of May 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published its latest processing time data as of May 12, 2026, and the numbers contain some of the most dramatic swings of the entire year so far. Inland work permit processing has plunged by 44 days since late March, with the figure now sitting 29 days below the…

Next CEC Express Entry Draw Cutoff May Rise With New Pool Update

IRCC conducted the first Express Entry draw of the month on May 11 under the Provincial Nominee Program, and the next draw in this cluster is expected to be a Canadian Experience Class round. Candidates waiting for a CEC invitation should prepare for the possibility that the CRS cutoff will remain close to the last…

First Express Entry Draw Of May 2026 Sent 380 PR Invitations

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first Express Entry draw of May 2026 on May 11, targeting candidates who already hold a provincial nomination. The round issued 380 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program category. The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 798 points,…

New Minimum Wage In 6 Canadian Provinces Coming In 2026

Workers in six Canadian provinces are seeing their minimum wage go up in 2026, with some increases already in effect and others arriving in June and October this year. British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba have all confirmed official rate changes that will reshape paycheques for hundreds of thousands…

New Entry-Level CRA Jobs Hiring Now In Ontario

The Canada Revenue Agency is actively recruiting for multiple entry-level jobs in Ontario right now, and the barrier to entry is remarkably low. No prior work experience is required for any of these openings. Applicants need only a secondary school education to qualify, and starting salaries range from roughly $46,900 to over $73,500 depending on…

New Canada Immigration Consultant Regulation Changes In 2026

The federal government just overhauled how immigration consultants are regulated in Canada, and every applicant should pay attention. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced on May 6, 2026, that sweeping new regulations will reshape consultant oversight nationwide. These new Canada immigration consultant regulation changes take effect on July 15, 2026, and mark the biggest regulatory…

New Canada Immigration Changes and Rules In May 2026

May 2026 is shaping up as one of the most eventful months for Canada’s immigration system in years. There are major changes affecting immigration consultants, Express Entry, provincial nominee programs, and temporary residents across Canada. Some of these changes take effect immediately, while others set critical deadlines or lay the groundwork for transformations arriving later…

New Canada Immigration Index Shows Targets Exceed Capacity

Our New Canada Permanent Resident Absorption Index reveals that Canada’s provinces can collectively stabilize approximately 239,700 total permanent residents per year under current economic and demographic conditions. That number falls well below the federal government’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan target of 380,000 permanent residents per year. The gap produces a national pressure ratio of 1.59…

6 New OCI Rules For Indians In Canada Now In Effect

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders and new applicants are facing a major digital shift in 2026 after India notified changes affecting online registration, renunciation, e-OCI records, biometric consent, and passport rules for minors. India has notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 through a Gazette notification, with official government media reporting the changes on May…

Ontario’s Regulated Market in 2026: A Guide for Residents and Newcomers

Ontario stands apart from every other Canadian province when it comes to online gambling. Since opening its regulated iGaming market in April 2022, the province has built a framework that allows private operators to offer real-money casino games and sports betting under provincial licensing — something no other Canadian jurisdiction has yet fully replicated. For…

New Express Entry Draw Predictions And CRS Trends For May 2026

IRCC has already issued 71,627 Express Entry invitations in the first four months of 2026, and the system shows no official signs of stopping. The biweekly draw rhythm that has defined Express Entry all year points to the week of May 11 as the next likely draw window for candidates in the pool. French-language candidates,…

Best Document Translation Services for Immigrants Applying for Visas, Green Cards, or Citizenship

Immigration paperwork tends to get stressful before the translation even starts. A birth certificate, marriage record, police certificate, passport, bank statement, or diploma can all become part of one application packet, and each document has to be clear, complete, and in the format the receiving office expects. That is why people comparing translation providers usually…

How International eSIMs Are Reshaping the Way We Travel Abroad

Not long ago, landing in a foreign country meant scrambling to find a local SIM card or bracing for outrageous roaming charges. Most travelers accepted it as part of the deal. That reality is fading quickly. Digital SIM technology now lets people activate a cellular plan before they step off the plane, turning what used…

How Moving to Canada Changes Your Diet: A Nutrition Guide for Newcomers

Moving to Canada is an exciting life milestone. But amidst securing housing, finding employment, and bracing for the famous Canadian winter, one crucial aspect of settlement often gets overlooked: your diet. Research shows that newcomers often experience a shift in their eating habits upon arriving in Canada. While the country offers a rich, multicultural food…

How Canada’s Provincial Online Markets Compare For Newcomers

One of the more confusing parts of moving to Canada — for people from countries with a single national gambling regulator — is realizing that Canada doesn’t have one. Online gaming in Canada is governed province by province, and the rules, available platforms, and even the basic question of what’s legal vary substantially depending on…

New Canada TR To PR Details Officially Released, But Not As Expected

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released a significant update on May 4, 2026, confirming that at least 20,000 temporary workers already living in Canada are expected to receive permanent residence this year under the Canada TR to PR initiative. The remaining workers under the broader target of up to 33,000 are expected to transition in…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Discover more from Immigration News Canada

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading