Canada to Welcome 230,000 Foreign Workers in 2026

The Government of Canada is set to admit up to 230,000 foreign workers in 2026 through two primary temporary work permit programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). This target includes 60,000 workers under the TFWP and 170,000 through the IMP.

The announcement is expected to attract many Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking employment in Canada, although applicants must meet specific immigration and employment requirements. Changes introduced allow employers with multiple small work locations to hire more low-wage temporary foreign workers, increasing the previous limit of 10% of their workforce to 20% in certain in-demand sectors.

The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the program requirements on August 18, 2026, to reflect a new workforce calculation method. Employers must still obtain a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring foreign workers, ensuring that qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available for the positions.