Canada Provinces to Get Extra PNP Spaces by March 2027
· Glocal Opportunities
A new opportunity has been opened up for foreign workers in Canada who are living there.According to the latest Canada Immigration News, the PNP spaces are said to move up to 100,000 workers to PR in 2027.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on 12 November 2026, told provinces and territories that they can nominate up to ten thousands more workers for permanent residence (PR).
What is this about?
These extra nominations come from a special one-time plan. Under it, Canada will give PR to up to 100,000 workers who are already in the country. It’s part of the government’s “TR to PR” (temporary resident to permanent resident) measures for 2027, first announced in the federal budget.
So, this initiative is basically an aim to help temporary residents who are already in the country to transition to permanent residence through measures linked to the Canada PNP Program and other pathways in immigration.
These spaces are on top of the regular 95,000 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) spaces planned for 2027. Those regular spaces are mainly for people applying from outside Canada.
Who All Can Benefit?
The plan is for workers living in Canada outside Quebec, plus their family members who come with them. It includes:
- Workers nominated by a province through the PNP
- People who have already applied for PR and are waiting for a decision. Provinces can pick these applicants so their files get processed under the new spaces.
- Applicants under some programs that are now closed, such as the Start-up Visa, the Self-Employed Persons Program, the Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker pilots
- Applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program
It is good news for those who already have an application in. You will not need anything extra to be considered.
How Will The Provinces Make Use Of These Spaces?
The extra spaces are optional. Each province or territory will decide how many to use, based on the workers it needs in its local job market. Nominations can go through both regular PNP streams and Express Entry-linked streams.
Once the March 2027 deadline passes, IRCC will have until the end of 2027 to process these applications.
A Wider Perspective
This initiative is part of the Canada Immigration strategy to manage temporary resident levels while providing eligible individuals with opportunities to settle permanently in the country.This is part of a larger plan to move up to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada to PR by the end of 2027. Apart from workers, the plan also covers some family members of Canadian citizens and PR holders, people who applied under the Hong Kong and Ukraine family pathways, and some humanitarian cases.
What Should You Do Next?
If you are working in Canada on a temporary permit, now is a good time to check whether you qualify for your province’s nominee program. Provinces have a short window, so acting early can help. Our experts at Glocal Opportunities can explain what these updates mean for you and help you choose the right pathway. If you are looking for the best immigration consultants in India for guidance on your plans, our experts are here to help.You can call us at 9958524200 or email at info@glocalopportunities.com.
Frequently asked questions
What are the extra PNP spaces announced for 2027?
On 12 November 2026, IRCC told provinces and territories that they can nominate more workers for permanent residence. The extra nominations come from a special one-time plan under which Canada will give PR to up to 100,000 workers who are already in the country, as part of the government’s TR to PR measures for 2027.
Who can benefit from the extra PNP spaces?
Workers living in Canada outside Quebec and their accompanying family members, including workers nominated by a province through the PNP, people who have already applied for PR and are waiting for a decision, applicants under some closed programs such as the Start-up Visa, the Self-Employed Persons Program, the Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker pilots, and applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Do I need to do anything extra if I have already applied for PR?
No. If you already have an application in, you will not need anything extra to be considered. Provinces can pick these applicants so their files get processed under the new spaces.
Are these spaces in addition to the regular PNP target?
Yes. These spaces are on top of the regular 95,000 Provincial Nominee Program spaces planned for 2027, which are mainly for people applying from outside Canada.
What is the deadline for provinces to use the extra spaces?
Provinces have until March 2027 to use the extra spaces. After that, IRCC will have until the end of 2027 to process these applications.
Can Express Entry candidates benefit?
Yes. Nominations under the extra spaces can go through both regular PNP streams and Express Entry-linked streams. Each province or territory decides how many spaces to use based on its local job market.