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Who gets a work permit, and through which program.
In 2025, 588,695 people got a work permit under the International Mobility Program, which needs no labour market test, and 168,255 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which mostly needs an LMIA.
Data through July 2026Retrieved October 8, 2026Updated monthly, mid-month
New work permit holders by program
| Period | International Mobility Program | Temporary Foreign Worker Program | Post-graduation work permits (part of IMP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 190,390 | 74,510 | 32,855 |
| 2016 | 232,440 | 80,670 | 54,655 |
| 2017 | 248,440 | 79,180 | 55,605 |
| 2018 | 274,185 | 84,770 | 73,815 |
| 2019 | 332,250 | 99,050 | 95,020 |
| 2020 | 253,865 | 85,730 | 102,245 |
| 2021 | 341,850 | 105,235 | 125,670 |
| 2022 | 481,365 | 137,170 | 123,150 |
| 2023 | 784,900 | 186,775 | 240,230 |
| 2024 | 732,525 | 193,535 | 201,525 |
| 2025 | 588,695 | 168,255 | 171,265 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 562,195 | 112,165 | 265,575 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Largest International Mobility Program streams, 2025
New permit holders by IRCC program code group.
| Stream | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-graduation work permit | 172,565 |
| Unknown | 112,375 |
| Spouses of skilled workers | 88,615 |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) | 62,200 |
| Bridging open work permits (BOWP) work permit categories | 26,240 |
| Spouses of students | 22,350 |
| Intra-company transfers | 13,515 |
| Dependent of skilled worker | 12,905 |
| Canada - Provincial/Territorial | 12,155 |
| Significant benefit - general | 10,255 |
| Program not stated | 10,130 |
| Reciprocal Employment - Other | 9,855 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates.
IMP: top countries, 2025
| Country | Value |
|---|---|
| India | 185,615 |
| Ukraine | 60,080 |
| Iran | 32,595 |
| Philippines | 30,275 |
| China | 22,920 |
| France | 20,920 |
| United States of America | 20,265 |
| Nigeria | 18,250 |
| United Kingdom | 14,360 |
| South Korea | 11,270 |
| Mexico | 9,605 |
| Japan | 8,265 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program by stream
Per year.
| Category | Other LMIA-based workers | Agricultural Workers | Live-In Caregivers | Caregivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 27,320 | 40,665 | 7,275 | 205 |
| 2016 | 26,750 | 46,380 | 6,585 | 1,875 |
| 2017 | 25,280 | 48,290 | 3,560 | 2,790 |
| 2018 | 25,610 | 53,710 | 3,010 | 3,330 |
| 2019 | 35,520 | 57,450 | 3,435 | 3,520 |
| 2020 | 30,415 | 52,830 | 2,640 | 795 |
| 2021 | 39,735 | 61,715 | 4,295 | 345 |
| 2022 | 64,740 | 70,275 | 2,950 | 230 |
| 2023 | 110,055 | 74,365 | 3,070 | 310 |
| 2024 | 124,345 | 67,395 | 2,745 | 195 |
| 2025 | 98,255 | 67,670 | 3,285 | 120 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 52,440 | 57,010 | 3,305 | 35 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Post-graduation work permits by metropolitan area, 2025
| Metropolitan area | Value |
|---|---|
| Toronto | 60,185 |
| Vancouver | 20,260 |
| Montréal | 9,480 |
| Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo | 8,890 |
| Calgary | 5,955 |
| Ottawa - Gatineau (Ontario part) | 4,870 |
| London | 4,645 |
| Winnipeg | 4,600 |
| Edmonton | 4,030 |
| Halifax | 3,215 |
| Hamilton | 3,030 |
| Windsor | 2,190 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates.