Canada accelerates permanent residence for 33,000 workers to fill labour gaps in smaller communities
What changed
Canada is putting into practice the one-time In-Canada Workers Initiative. The government announced this plan in Budget 2025. It will make it faster for up to 33,000 workers already in Canada to get permanent residence. This initiative started in 2026. It focuses on people who help rural and remote communities. Canada aims to transition 20,000 workers by the end of 2026. The rest will transition in 2027. This plan helps fill job gaps and makes local economies stable.
The detail
Policy history
Canada accelerates permanent residence for 33,000 workers to fill labour gaps in smaller communitiesRelated changes
United KingdomPermanent ResidenceEffectiveEffective 8 Oct 2026 UK EU Settlement Scheme Updated to Allow Certain Children and Primary Carers to Retain Pre-Settled Status for Education
What changed
On 8 October 2026, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) updated its guidance for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This amendment permits certain children, along with their primary carers, to retain their pre-settled status to ensure they can complete their education within the UK. The change is effective immediately and reflects updates to the broader Immigration Rules, providing continuity for specific educational circumstances under the EUSS.
Published 8 Oct 2026Effective 8 Oct 2026UK Visas and Immigration — News & communications
Canada · OntarioEmployer SponsorshipEffectiveEffective 5 Oct 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme Redesigned with New 'Workforce Priority' Stream and Closure of Eight Previous Streams
What changed
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) has changed the scoring for Canadian work experience earnings history within its Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream's Expression of Interest (EOI) system. As of 5 October 2026, candidates who have earned CAD 80,000 or more in a single year during the last five years will receive 10 points. This update is automatically applied to all existing EOIs and aims to make the assessment process smoother for highly paid candidates in Ontario's workforce.
Published 26 Jun 2026Effective 5 Oct 2026Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program — Programme updates
New ZealandPermanent ResidenceEffectiveEffective 5 Oct 2026 New Zealand Implements Hybrid Selection Process for Parent Resident Visa Category
What changed
Immigration New Zealand has put a new mixed selection system in place for the Parent Resident Visa category, starting from 5 October 2026. This change means all valid Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now in a single group. About 90% will be chosen from this group in the order they were submitted, like a queue, and the other 10% will be picked randomly. The yearly limit of 2,500 visa approvals remains the same, and the first selection under this new system is planned for 10 November 2026.
Published 5 Oct 2026Effective 5 Oct 2026Immigration New Zealand — News
JapanPermanent ResidencePublishedEffective 1 Oct 2026 Permanent Residence Review to Become Stricter; Financial Requirements Tightened in Japan
What changed
Japan is tightening the permanent residence (PR) review process for foreign residents. The Immigration Services Agency published a revised PR guideline on 24 February 2026 and has since proposed further changes. The proposed changes would make financial stability and compliance with public obligations more explicit and would introduce clearer income-related standards. The new framework is expected to take effect from 1 October 2026, subject to finalisation.
Published 24 Feb 2026Effective 1 Oct 2026Immigration Services Agency of Japan
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