Canada to admit 230,000 Nigerian, foreign workers in 2026 - How to apply

Canada is preparing to welcome around 230,000 foreign workers in 2026, a move that will create new employment opportunities for individuals, including Nigerians. The federal government's updated immigration levels plan includes significant adjustments to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The TFWP will accommodate 60,000 workers, while the IMP will bring in 170,000. A key change affects employers operating multiple small work sites. Previously, employers faced a cap limiting low-wage temporary foreign workers to 10% of their workforce, or 20% in specific in-demand sectors like healthcare, construction, and food production.

Under the revised rules, employers with fewer than 10 employees at each individual work location can now calculate their workforce cap based on the number of employees at that specific site. This means they can hire one low-wage temporary foreign worker per location where the 10% cap applies, or up to two workers per location for sectors with the 20% cap.

This adjustment is particularly beneficial for businesses with several smaller branches that previously had limited access to foreign labor under the low-wage stream. Foreign workers cannot apply directly for a TFWP permit; they must secure a job offer from a Canadian employer who has obtained a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This assessment confirms the employer's inability to find a suitable Canadian candidate.