Major updates are coming to LMIA-exempt work permits in 2026. These changes include a higher intake target, a freeze on eligible study programs for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), and other confirmed and possible policy updates.
Higher Admissions Target For Foreign Workers
The federal government has increased the number of workers it plans to admit under LMIA-exempt work permits in 2026.
The latest Immigration Levels Plan sets the target for work permits issued through the International Mobility Program (IMP) at 170,000 for 2026. This is a 32% increase from the earlier target of 128,700 set in last year’s plan.
All LMIA-exempt work permits fall under the IMP.
This admissions target refers only to new temporary residents entering Canada through the IMP. It does not include renewals of current work permits or permits issued to foreign nationals already living in Canada.
At the same time, the government reduced the target for LMIA-based work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The new target for 2026 is 60,000, down from the earlier planned number of 82,000.
Freeze On PGWP-Eligible Fields Of Study
The federal government has announced that it will not change the list of eligible fields of study for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) in 2026.
Under the field of study rules, international students who graduate from non-exempt programs must complete a program linked to a labour shortage to qualify for a PGWP, along with meeting all other PGWP requirements.
This field of study rule applies to students who submitted their first study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024.
Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are not subject to this field of study requirement.
For eligibility, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the list that was active on the date the student submitted their first study permit application, unless the student later changed programs.
There are currently 1,107 study programs on the PGWP eligibility list.
On June 25, 2025, the government updated the list by adding 119 new programs and removing 178 programs. However, on July 4, the government reversed this decision and announced that the 178 removed programs would stay on the list until “early 2026.”
Under the current freeze, announced on IRCC’s website on January 15, 2026, these 178 programs will remain on the list for the rest of the year instead of being removed.
This freeze comes while the government works on a major update to the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), which is the system used to organize post-secondary programs using unique codes.
The current version, CIP 2021 version 1.0, will be replaced by CIP Canada 2027 Version 1.0. According to Statistics Canada, this new version is expected to be released publicly in late 2027 or early 2028.
Work Permits For Provincial Nominee Candidates
As we know that major updates are coming to LMIA-exempt work permits in 2026, let us discuss about the work permits for provincial nominee candidates.
Well, a public policy that allows provincial nominee candidates to receive special work permits with support from their province or territory was set to expire on December 31, 2025.
The Manitoba and Yukon nominee programs had created special work permit streams under this policy. These permits could be issued for up to two years.
To qualify under this policy, a foreign national must:
- Have a valid work permit at the time of applying
- Have had valid work status on May 7, 2024
and must also have:
- A letter of employment from their current employer
- A letter of support from their province or territory
IRCC’s webpage, last updated on June 17, 2026, still lists the status of this policy as “Open until December 31, 2025.”
IRCC has not yet announced whether it plans to extend this policy.
Work Permits For Ukrainians And Their Family Members
Thousands of Ukrainians and their family members have received work permits under a temporary public policy, but its future is unclear.
The “Temporary public policy to facilitate continued access to open work permits and study permits for foreign nationals in Canada who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures – Extension” (CUAET) is set to expire on March 31, 2026.
This policy allows open work permits and study permits for Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024 and received temporary resident status through CUAET.
IRCC has not announced whether it will renew this policy.
If the policy expires and is not renewed, people with work permits under this policy will not be able to extend them. They will need to explore other ways to maintain legal status in Canada if they wish to stay.
Work Permits For Iranians
A temporary public policy that supports work permits for Iranian nationals is also set to expire this year.
The “Updated temporary public policy for nationals of Iran in Canada as temporary residents” will expire on February 28, 2026.
Under this policy, Iranians who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025 can apply for work permits and study permits.
The federal government has not announced whether it plans to extend this policy.
Proposed Changes Through New Legislation
A major immigration bill is currently moving through the Canadian Parliament.
Bill C-12, titled “An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures,” includes important changes that could affect temporary residents, including work permit holders.
If passed into law, this bill would give the federal government wide powers over temporary residents.
These powers would mainly be held by the Governor in Council. This role represents Canada’s monarch and usually acts based on advice from the prime minister and cabinet.
The bill would allow the Governor in Council to:
- Stop accepting work permit applications
- Pause processing of applications
- End processing of applications
- Change, cancel, or suspend immigration documents
- Add new conditions to temporary resident status.
These powers could only be used in situations that the Governor in Council believes are in the public interest. The bill defines public interest as situations related to administrative errors, fraud, public health, public safety, or national security.
Bill C-12 also proposes major changes to the asylum system. These changes include limits on new asylum claims and rules that allow officials to decide that some claims have been abandoned or withdrawn in certain cases.
The bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on December 11, 2025. To become law, it must also pass three readings in the Senate and then receive royal assent.
In Canada, it is uncommon for the Senate to reject bills that have passed the House of Commons.
The Senate is expected to begin reviewing Bill C-12 after it returns on February 3, 2026.
New Work Permit For Agriculture And Fish Processing
The immigration department is working with ESDC to create a new, sector-specific work permit for agriculture and fish processing workers.
This information comes from IRCC’s 2025–2026 Departmental Plan.
The government has not yet announced when this permit will launch or what the eligibility rules will be.
These upcoming changes show that Canada is shifting its approach to work permits in 2026. While LMIA-exempt permits will increase, other programs may become more limited or subject to new rules. Foreign workers, students, and employers will need to stay informed as policies continue to evolve.
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