Canada’s immigration system is under renewed strain as 1.8 million temporary resident permits are set to expire this year.
This is according data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The development is heightening uncertainty for international students, foreign workers, and visitors who had hoped to transition to permanent residency.
IRCC data indicates that over 1.8 million temporary resident permits will expire by the end of 2026, down from nearly 2.1 million in 2025.
Temporary residents are individuals legally allowed to stay in Canada for a fixed period for study, employment, or short-term visits, making them a key part of Canada’s labour and education ecosystem.
Immigration lawyer Mario Bellissimo described the figures as the result of a backlog built over several years, driven by surges in international student admissions and work permits.
“The scale of expiring permits is not unexpected,” Bellissimo said, noting a “runaway inventory” of temporary residents accumulated in recent years.
He added that Canada’s permanent residency intake is tightening, with the federal government planning to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026, nearly 15,000 fewer than last year.
“Many temporary residents now feel the rules have shifted,” Bellissimo said. “Individuals who believed they would eventually be allowed to remain in Canada now feel the understanding they had with the government has changed, creating frustration and uncertainty.”
The reduced intake has dampened expectations for those hoping for a clear path to citizenship, leaving many in limbo.
