Canada to admit 230,000 foreign workers in 2026, new rules open doors for small businesses

Canada plans to admit up to 230,000 foreign workers through two major temporary work permit programmes in 2026, according to the federal government's annual immigration levels plan. The target covers 60,000 workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and 170,000 through the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The announcement comes with new rules that could allow some employers operating multiple small work locations to hire more low-wage temporary foreign workers. This is expected to attract significant interest from Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking jobs in Canada.

What the new employer rules say

Previously, employers were generally restricted to having low-wage temporary foreign workers make up no more than 10% of their workforce through the TFWP. The limit was higher at 20% for certain in-demand sectors, including healthcare, construction and food production.

Under the updated calculation method, employers can now assess their workforce at individual qualifying locations rather than relying solely on their total nationwide workforce. The change could be particularly significant for businesses operating several small establishments.

For example, an employer running multiple restaurants, care facilities or construction sites could potentially qualify to hire more low-wage foreign workers if each location meets the relevant requirements. At a work location with fewer than 10 employees, an employer may hire one low-wage temporary foreign worker. Businesses in specified in-demand sectors may hire up to two workers per qualifying small location.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the programme requirements on August 18, 2026, to reflect the new workforce calculation approach. The calculation includes full-time and part-time employees, approved temporary foreign workers who have not yet started work, and vacant positions covered by an employer's Labour Market Impact Assessment application. Part-time employees working fewer than 30 hours per week are counted as half an employee for the calculation.

Conditions employers and workers must meet

Despite the changes, employers cannot simply recruit foreign workers without meeting existing requirements. Businesses hiring through the low-wage TFWP must still obtain a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring or retaining workers. The LMIA process is designed to establish that qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available to fill the position.

Canada also maintains restrictions on low-wage TFWP recruitment. Since September 2024, low-wage LMIA applications have generally not been processed for positions in certain urban areas where unemployment exceeds 6%. Employers must also meet additional obligations, including covering transportation costs to and from Canada, ensuring suitable accommodation, and providing private health insurance where provincial or territorial coverage does not apply.

International Mobility Program remains the bigger route

The International Mobility Program remains the larger pathway, accounting for 170,000 of the projected 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026. Unlike the TFWP, the IMP is generally exempt from the LMIA requirement and covers workers whose employment is considered to provide broader economic, cultural or other benefits to Canada.

For Nigerians and other prospective applicants, the latest figures highlight the scale of Canada's temporary foreign worker intake, while the new employer rules could create additional hiring capacity in selected sectors and locations. Anyone interested must still meet immigration and employment requirements, including securing a valid job offer and work permit.