What are the new rules for Canada PR?

New PR rules in Canada focus on targeted pathways for skilled workers in labour shortage sectors, such as healthcare, IT, and engineering. The major changes include the introduction of new Express Entry routes for doctors, the permanent Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, and an increased provincial focus through applications to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The new policies aim to convert 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence by 2027. The revised PR policies in Canada are also making adjustments for caregivers and applicants for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).

Canada introduced updated PR rules for international students with a primary focus on mandatory Canadian work experience gained through a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The candidates can also qualify for programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to meet the revised policy criteria. The fund requirements and study permit caps are stricter for the upcoming year for CEC candidates, with some leniency shown for Master's/PhD students who have off-campus work hours of 24/week.

The following are the key criteria under the new rules introduced by Canada for international students:

• Qualify for a PGWP
• Work in (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) skilled jobs.
• Meet language proficiency criteria.
• Apply for Express Entry or PNP.

Yes, Canada offers permanent residency to Indians through various pathways, including the Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) program, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorship. Indian skilled workers are in high demand in various skill-shortage sectors of Canada that face high labour demand. This makes the country seek qualified Indian professionals to work in different job roles, such as engineering, healthcare, and trades, provided they qualify in terms of language proficiency, age limit, and relevant years of work experience.

Canada offers a new pathway for foreign workers to convert from temporary residence (TR) to permanent residence (PR). The TR to PR pathway is not a single new program but a collective approach focusing on temporary workers and graduates to PR. New streams for the PR pathway are anticipated for specific skill shortage categories according to the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Additionally, existing PR applicants will receive a longer Open Work Permit (OWP) until December 31, 2026, while their PR application is being processed.

The minimum bank balance for a Canadian PR depends on the family size and is mostly required for certain PNP programs and the Express Entry program. Submitting proof of funds is not necessary for all Canada PR applicants, like those applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program or those with work authorization in Canada.

The table below has the list of minimum funds required for Canada PR, while applying through Express Entry:

Canada Express Entry pathway observed significant changes with the introduction of new rules for permanent residence in the country. Extra points were removed for LMIA-supported job offers to create a sense of fairness among applicants and reduce fraud. The focus shifted to category-based selections targeting specific skilled workers in sectors such as healthcare, trades, IT, and engineering. Additionally, high language proficiency has been made mandatory through the TOEFL as an accepted English test.

The work experience requirements for different programs have not been revised under the new rules introduced for permannet residency in Canada. The updated policies emphasize Canadian work experience for specific categories, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals. However, employers in Ontario cannot look for professionals with Canadian work experience in job posting apps to encourage newcomers to apply in the Canadian job market. Most economic immigration programs through Express Entry which ask for work experience in specifically designated TEER (0, 1, 2, 3) categories, have remained unchanged.

The new rules for Canada PR focus on stricter scrutiny of the relationship to verify authenticity. The revised policies for permanent residence of spouses in Canada have more stringent open work permit (OWP) eligibility criteria for partners with enhanced sponsor obligations. This means that the new spousal application for PR needs solid proof of a partner relationship and enhanced financial support. Under the updated policies, the in-Canada applicants will be given more priority for family reunification.

The processing time for Canada permanent residence will change under the revised rules for the upcoming year. Candidates through Express Entry are expected to receive faster approval for PR, while other pathways, such as Base PNP or Family Sponsorship, take longer. IRCC will focus on clearing backlogs in Express Entry and aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) from last year, aiming for 100% inventory clearance for specific streams. The overall processing time for each stream, however, will vary based on the volume of applications and the complexity of the documents.

The updated PR rules in Canada will benefit skilled workers by creating targeted pathways and prioritizing in-demand skills. Candidates are expected to get faster PR approval through Express Entry's category-based draws (like healthcare, trades, STEM) and pilots (Caregivers, Agri-Food). The rules for Canada PR aim to offer approval for permanent residence in a shorter timeframe, allowing temporary workers and graduates to access healthcare, public services, and other citizenship benefits in Canada.