Kathmandu. The Canadian government has launched a program to provide permanent residency (PR) to foreign workers. The announcement was made by Immigration Minister Lena Metellez Diab.
The programme aims to provide permanent status to 33,000 foreign workers in the next two years in demand-driven sectors.
The PR program was announced in November last year. However, details were not provided. Diab said the government would be able to provide more details in April.
The latest government figures show that 2.1 million temporary residence permits expired in 2025. In 2026, 1.9 million licenses will expire. This has raised concerns about a potential increase in the undocumented population.
Attempts to reduce non-permanent residents{{
The program is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s effort to reduce the share of non-permanent residents in Canada’s population to less than 5 per cent by 2027. That was 6.8 percent at the end of 2025.
Converting temporary migrants into permanent residents is considered a key way to achieve this goal. “If you are in a temporary position in Canada, whether it’s a visitor, student or work visa, and for any reason you want to stay outside the deadline, apply for an extension,” Diab said. If you do not apply, we expect you to honor your commitment and leave. ’
Bill C-12 also discussed
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The Canadian government’s bill, Bill C-12, is currently under discussion. It will give immigration officials the power to cancel or suspend documents and applications in the public interest. “The government’s goal is to reduce the number of temporary residents, stabilize permanent resident entry and implement an international talent attraction strategy,” Diab said. ’
Diab said Canada needs to strike a balance between labour needs and worker safety. Hundreds of industries and businesses need large numbers of workers. There aren’t enough Canadians to fill jobs in many sectors. “So we have to strike a balance and we are working to attract skilled foreign workers,” Diab said. –Agency
