Canada Opens Permanent Residence Pathway for 6,000 Undocumented Construction Workers!
The Canadian immigration department has announced major changes to support the country’s construction industry.
🔹 Key Changes:
✅ 6,000 permanent residence spots reserved for undocumented construction workers currently residing in Canada.
✅ Qualified temporary foreign workers can now enroll in apprenticeship programs without requiring a study permit.
📢 Official Announcement by Immigration Minister Marc Miller
On March 7, 2025, during a press conference in Woodbridge, Ontario, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), unveiled these significant changes.
Miller stated that starting March 7, 2025, the Canadian government will allow eligible foreign workers to register for apprenticeship programs without requiring a study permit. Previously, most foreign workers could not apply for a study permit in Canada, but now they can participate in training programs while working.
📌 The government has not yet announced the official implementation date for the new construction worker permanent residence pathway, nor the specific eligibility criteria.
🔹 Formation of an Advisory Council on Construction
Minister Miller also announced the creation of an advisory council to assist the government in shaping policies related to the construction sector. This council will include representatives from the government, labor unions, and industry employers and is expected to convene as early as next week.
📌 The advisory council will help the government determine:
✅ Prevailing wages in the construction sector.
✅ The number of foreign construction workers Canada needs to admit.
✅ Regulations and eligibility criteria for immigration pathways in the construction industry.
The minister also revealed that up to 14,000 foreign national construction workers may be admitted to Canada, but it is unclear whether they will enter through permanent, temporary pathways, or both.
🔹 Why is Canada Making These Changes?
Canada is facing a severe shortage of construction workers, which is exacerbating the housing crisis and rising real estate prices.
📌 Critical statistics:
🏠 Canada needs to build 6 million new homes by 2030 to restore housing affordability (according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
👷 23% of construction workers in Canada’s residential sector are immigrants (according to Statistics Canada).
💬 Minister Miller emphasized: “Despite our efforts to train workers domestically, we simply cannot meet the labor demands of the construction sector.”
🔹 Recent Changes to Express Entry for Skilled Trades
On February 27, 2025, IRCC adjusted priority occupations in the Express Entry system, creating more immigration opportunities for construction workers.
📌 New occupations added to the skilled trades category include:
✅ Construction managers
✅ Construction estimators
✅ Bricklayers
✅ Roofers and shinglers
✅ Floor covering installers
✅ Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
👉 For the full list of priority occupations under Express Entry, visit the IRCC website.
🔹 Previous Immigration Measures for Undocumented Construction Workers
📌 Canada has previously introduced measures to support this group:
🔹 In January 2020, IRCC launched a pilot program allowing undocumented construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to apply for permanent residence.
🔹 This policy was extended multiple times before officially ending on December 31, 2024.
🔹 As of November 2024, 1,365 undocumented construction workers and their dependents had obtained permanent residence through this pathway.
📢 The newly announced immigration program builds upon previous policies and aims to provide more workers with the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
🔹 Impact of Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan on Construction Immigration
🔸 The Canadian government recently announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which reduces overall immigration targets to avoid further straining the housing market.
🔸 Minister Miller previously predicted that reducing the number of temporary residents (international students and foreign workers) would free up an additional 670,000 housing units without requiring additional investment.
🔸 However, the construction sector remains a priority as it directly affects the ability to increase housing supply. Therefore, Canada will continue to attract construction workers, especially those with work experience in Canada.
📌 Canada’s key immigration objectives:
✅ Welcoming 82,890 new permanent residents through the “In-Canada Focus” category (prioritizing those already working in Canada).
✅ Avoiding additional pressure on the housing crisis by prioritizing immigration for workers already in Canada rather than bringing in new foreign workers.
📢 The government will release more details about the new construction worker immigration program in the coming months.
