Canada's decisive move to help Indian diaspora; 'Bonanza' for Malayalees

OTTAWA: Reports indicate that Canada plans to grant permanent resident status to up to 200,000 temporary residents currently living in the country by the end of 2027. The Canadian government is implementing this as a special, one-time initiative, as announced in the 2026 budget. This decision—spearheaded by Prime Minister Mark Carney—will prove to be a major boon for Indians, including Keralites.

This measure comes in addition to Canada’s existing target of welcoming 380,000 permanent residents annually through 2029. Consequently, the total number of individuals eligible for permanent residency in 2027 will rise to as many as 622,000.

By the end of 2027, 100000 workers—qualified under the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs—will transition from temporary status to permanent residency, helping to address local labour needs across the provinces and territories. Reports indicate that the government has allocated 302 million Canadian dollars over four years, starting in 2027–28, to facilitate the transition of temporary residents to permanent resident status.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has set annual targets for temporary and permanent residents at 370,000 and 380,000, respectively, to be maintained until 2029. The implementation of this new decision would be highly beneficial for Indians, as they constitute a significant portion of both foreign workers and international students. Furthermore, Indians account for approximately 20 per cent of eligible temporary work permit holders. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 40,000 Indians could potentially secure permanent residency through this initiative.

However, the new announcement does not guarantee permanent residency to all temporary residents in Canada. The government is implementing this new initiative with a focus on those currently contributing to Canada’s economy and labour market. The plan is expected to help address the labour shortages and reduce the backlog of pending immigration applications.