Temporary Foreign Worker Program Changes on November 6, 2026: Low-Wage LMIAs Now Last Up to 2 Years

If you work in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, a rule that affects how long your job can last changed on November 6, 2026. Employment and Social Development Canada announced targeted reforms to the program, highlighted by Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu. The biggest change for workers takes effect right away; a second set of changes is only proposed for 2027.

What changed

Effective November 6, 2026, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications in the Low-Wage Stream submitted on or after this date will have a maximum duration of up to two years — an increase from the current one-year duration. An LMIA is the document an employer usually needs before hiring a temporary foreign worker, and its duration sets how long that hiring approval lasts.

Also on November 6, 2026, early childhood educators were added to the list of exceptions in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. In those areas, LMIA applications are normally not processed, with exceptions for priority sectors that already included healthcare, construction and food processing.

Budget 2026 also provides $151.5 million over five years to support TFW Program service delivery, and $82 million over four years for the Migrant Worker Support Program, which helps temporary foreign workers understand their rights while living and working in Canada.

Proposed for March 1, 2027 — not in effect yet

The Minister also proposed regional changes that depend on provinces and territories opting in, to be implemented on March 1, 2027. Under the proposal, employers in large CMAs (population over 250,000) with unemployment under 6% would have targeted access for occupations listed in the Canadian Occupational Projection System, plus occupations provinces and territories add or remove. Rural communities would keep full access to all Low-Wage Stream occupations. Provinces and territories could also let eligible employers hire temporary foreign workers for up to 15% of their workforce through the Low-Wage Stream, up from the current 10% maximum; priority sectors would stay at the existing 20% limit. None of this is in effect yet.

Who it affects

Temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs, and the employers who hire them. If your employer submits a new low-wage LMIA on or after November 6, 2026, the approval can now cover up to two years instead of one — which can mean a longer work permit and fewer renewals to keep your income going.

What to do

• If you are working under an LMIA now: nothing changes for your current approval. The two-year duration applies to applications submitted on or after November 6, 2026.
• If your employer is applying soon: ask whether your application will be submitted on or after November 6, 2026, so the longer duration can apply.
• Do not count on the 2027 changes yet: the March 1, 2027 measures are proposals that need provinces and territories to opt in.

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Sources

• Employment and Social Development Canada — Government of Canada announces targeted reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to respond to labour market needs

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