published on 30 January 2026 @ 2:23 pm · COMMENT

Increased Admissions Targets for LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Canada has introduced important updates to LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) for 2026. The federal government has raised the admissions target to 170,000, a 32% increase from previous plans, while the target for LMIA-based permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been reduced to 60,000. These targets apply only to new admissions, not renewals, reflecting a shift toward LMIA-exempt pathways as a flexible tool to address labour market needs.

For international students, the government has frozen the list of programs eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) throughout 2026. Programs that had been slated for removal will remain eligible, and graduates of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs continue to be exempt from field-of-study requirements. This freeze provides stability for students planning their careers in Canada and ensures employers can rely on a predictable pool of qualified international graduates.

Taken together, these changes demonstrate Canada’s dual approach of balancing labour market demand with program stability, expanding LMIA-exempt work permit opportunities while maintaining clarity and continuity for international graduates entering the workforce.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE