The federal government’s new “in-Canada focus” policy represents a fundamental change in how permanent residence applications are processed, favoring temporary residents—particularly international students and temporary workers who have already established themselves within the country.
Understanding the In-Canada Focus Policy
The in-Canada immigration transitions policy reflects Canada’s recognition that temporary residents already living, studying, and working within the country represent ideal permanent residence candidates. These individuals have demonstrated their ability to integrate successfully, contribute economically, and adapt to Canadian society—factors that predict long-term settlement success.
Under the new Levels Plan, an emphasis is placed on ensuring that admissions are dedicated to facilitating transition to permanent residence for those already in Canada as students and workers. This strategic direction acknowledges that temporary residents possess invaluable Canadian experience, credentials, and connections that make them better positioned for successful permanent integration than applicants without Canadian exposure.
The policy addresses a growing challenge within Canada’s immigration system: hundreds of thousands of temporary residents have been contributing to the economy, paying taxes, and building lives in Canada while facing uncertain pathways to permanent residence. By prioritizing in-Canada PR pathways, the government creates clearer, more accessible routes for these established contributors to secure their Canadian futures.
Why Canada Is Prioritizing In-Canada Applicants
Several compelling factors drive Canada’s increased focus on facilitating in-Canada immigration transitions for students and workers already residing within the country:
Proven Integration Success
Temporary residents who’ve lived in Canada have already demonstrated successful integration. They understand Canadian workplace culture, possess Canadian credentials or work experience, have established social networks, and navigate daily life confidently. This proven adaptability suggests they’ll transition smoothly to permanent residence and long-term settlement.
Economic Contribution Recognition
International students and temporary workers contribute significantly to Canada’s economy. Students pay substantial tuition fees supporting educational institutions and communities, while workers fill critical labor shortages across sectors. Many have been contributing for years, and the new policy recognizes that these ongoing contributions deserve pathways to permanence.
Retention of Talent and Investment
Canada invests considerable resources in attracting international students and skilled workers. When these individuals leave due to unclear permanent-residence pathways, Canada loses both the economic benefits of their continued presence and the return on investment in their integration. Prioritizing in-Canada PR pathways improves retention of this valuable talent pool.
Labor Market Alignment
Temporary residents already working in Canada fill positions in industries and regions experiencing shortages. They’ve proven their ability to succeed in the Canadian labor market, making them ideal candidates for permanent residence programs designed to address workforce needs.
Reducing Temporary Resident Volumes
Canada has committed to reducing the number of temporary residents to less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027. Facilitating transitions to permanent residence for qualifying temporary residents supports this goal while recognizing their contributions and established presence.
How In-Canada Immigration Transitions Benefit Students
International students represent one of the primary beneficiary groups under the new in-Canada immigration transitions priority. Students who’ve completed Canadian credentials and gained work experience find themselves particularly well-positioned for permanent residence pathways.
Canadian Experience Class Advantages
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry specifically targets individuals with Canadian work experience. International students who transition to Post-Graduation Work Permits and gain at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience become eligible for CEC—one of the fastest permanent residence pathways.
Under the in-Canada focus, CEC applications receive priority processing, recognizing that these candidates have already demonstrated their ability to contribute successfully. Recent Express Entry draws have increasingly featured category-based selections targeting specific occupations where temporary residents, including former students, are well-represented.
Provincial Nominee Program Graduate Streams
Many provinces operate dedicated Provincial Nominee Program streams exclusively for international graduates. These programs recognize that graduates possess locally relevant credentials, understand regional labor markets, and have established community connections.
Under the in-Canada PR pathways priority, provinces receive increased allocations to nominate qualifying temporary residents. Several provinces, including Nova Scotia and Manitoba, will receive increased allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program, with Nova Scotia’s allocation reportedly increased by 559 spots, bringing the total to 3,709, and Manitoba securing an additional 1,500 nominations.
These increased allocations create more opportunities for international graduates to secure provincial nominations, which add 600 Comprehensive Ranking System points to Express Entry profiles—virtually guaranteeing Invitations to Apply.
Streamlined Requirements
Several provinces have introduced or enhanced graduate-specific streams with streamlined requirements recognizing students’ Canadian credentials. Ontario’s International Student Stream, for example, allows master’s and PhD graduates to apply without work experience or job offers—a significant advantage under the in-Canada focus policy.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces all offer dedicated graduate pathways with requirements tailored to recognize Canadian education’s value. The in-Canada priority ensures these streams receive adequate allocations and processing resources.
How In-Canada Immigration Transitions Benefit Workers
Temporary foreign workers, including those on closed and open work permits, also benefit significantly from the priority for in-Canada immigration transitions. Workers who’ve demonstrated their value to Canadian employers and labor markets find clearer pathways to permanent residence.
Express Entry Prioritization
Workers with Canadian experience receive preferential treatment in the Comprehensive Ranking System of Express Entry. Canadian work experience awards substantial CRS points, with one year of Canadian experience providing more points than three years of foreign experience in equivalent positions.
The in-Canada focus ensures that Express Entry draws increasingly target candidates with Canadian experience, whether through general draws with accessible cutoff scores or category-based draws targeting occupations where temporary workers are concentrated.
Employer-Supported Pathways
Many temporary workers possess job offers or ongoing employment relationships with Canadian employers. These employer connections strengthen permanent residence applications across multiple programs, including Provincial Nominee Programs with employer-driven streams and programs requiring arranged employment.
Under the in-Canada priority, employer-supported applications from workers already contributing in their roles receive favorable consideration, recognizing that these individuals fill confirmed labor market needs.
Occupational Demand Alignment
Temporary workers often work in occupations experiencing persistent shortages—such as healthcare, skilled trades, technology, transportation, and agriculture. Category-based Express Entry draws target these specific occupations, creating dedicated pathways for workers already employed in high-demand fields.
The in-Canada PR pathways approach ensures that workers filling critical shortages have realistic opportunities to transition to permanent residence, supporting both their personal goals and Canada’s economic needs.
Key Permanent Residence Programs for In-Canada Applicants
Understanding which programs prioritize in-Canada immigration transitions helps you identify optimal pathways based on your circumstances:
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
CEC remains the flagship program for in-Canada transitions, requiring a minimum of one year of skilled Canadian work experience within the last three years. The program doesn’t require job offers or foreign work experience, focusing exclusively on the quality of Canadian experience.
Recent processing times average 6-8 months from Invitation to Apply to final decision, making CEC one of the fastest permanent residence pathways available. The in-Canada focus ensures adequate Express Entry draw frequencies and accessible cutoff scores for qualifying candidates.
Provincial Nominee Programs
PNPs offer diverse streams targeting in-Canada applicants, including international graduate streams, employer-driven streams for workers with job offers, and occupation-specific streams addressing regional labor shortages. Provincial nominations add 600 CRS points, providing powerful advantages in Express Entry competition.
With increased provincial allocations under the new policy, more temporary residents can secure nominations supporting their permanent residence goals.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program targets workers and international graduates in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces. The program requires job offers from designated employers but features relatively accessible requirements and dedicated support for candidates already established in Atlantic Canada.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Workers and graduates in participating rural and northern communities benefit from dedicated pathways through RNIP. The program recognizes that smaller communities face unique retention challenges and provides streamlined routes for temporary residents committed to regional settlement.
Caregiver Programs
Temporary foreign workers in caregiving occupations can transition to permanent residence through dedicated caregiver programs, recognizing their essential contributions supporting Canadian families and addressing childcare and healthcare needs.
Strategic Steps for Maximizing Your In-Canada Transition
To leverage the in-Canada immigration transitions priority effectively, consider these strategic approaches:
Gain Quality Canadian Experience
Focus on accumulating skilled work experience in occupations classified under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. Ensure your job duties substantially match NOC descriptions for your occupation, as this determines eligibility for most permanent residence programs.
Quality matters more than quantity—one year of full-time skilled experience in a high-demand occupation may create better permanent residence prospects than multiple years in less-aligned positions.
Improve Your Comprehensive Ranking System Score
Maximize your CRS score through strategic improvements: achieve higher language test results (targeting CLB 9 or higher), complete additional Canadian education credentials if feasible, gain Canadian work experience in skilled positions, and pursue provincial nominations through targeted applications.
Every CRS point improvement increases your competitiveness in Express Entry draws, particularly as the in-Canada focus creates more opportunities for candidates with Canadian experience.
Research Provincial Options Thoroughly
Don’t limit yourself to federal programs. Investigate provincial nominee programs in your current province and others where you’d consider settling. Many temporary residents overlook excellent provincial opportunities that could provide faster, more accessible pathways than waiting for federal program invitations.
Provincial programs often feature lower language requirements, accept broader occupation ranges, and provide more explicit eligibility criteria than federal programs.
Maintain Perfect Compliance
Immigration officers reviewing permanent residence applications examine your entire Canadian history, including compliance with previous temporary residence conditions. Violations of study permit or work permit conditions can result in permanent residence application refusals, regardless of how strong your qualifications appear.
Follow all authorization conditions meticulously: work only as authorized, maintain the required status, respect work-hour limitations, and notify IRCC of address changes or significant circumstances affecting your status.
Build Employer Relationships
Strong employer relationships can lead to job offers supporting permanent residence applications, reference letters documenting your Canadian experience, and employer willingness to support Provincial Nominee Program applications requiring employer involvement.
Demonstrate your value through excellent work performance, professional development, and long-term commitment to your employer’s success.
Stay Informed About Policy Changes
Immigration policies and program requirements evolve frequently. The in-Canada focus represents just one aspect of ongoing transformations in the immigration system. Follow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announcements, provincial program updates, and Express Entry draw results to identify new opportunities as they emerge.
Canada’s permanent resident targets have been stabilized at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028, with the share of economic immigrants rising from 59 percent to 64 percent. These targets create substantial opportunities for qualifying in-Canada applicants across economic immigration programs.
Your In-Canada Transition Starts Now
The new emphasis on in-Canada immigration transitions is excellent news for international students and temporary workers who’ve been building Canadian lives while facing uncertain prospects for permanent residence. By prioritizing candidates already contributing to Canadian society, the government creates clearer, more accessible pathways for deserving temporary residents to secure their futures.
If you’re currently in Canada as a student or worker, now is the time to plan your permanent residence pathway strategically. Please assess your eligibility for various programs, improve your competitiveness through language testing and additional experience, research provincial opportunities, and ensure you can comply with your current authorization conditions.
