Canada’s New Permanent Pathway for Construction Workers: What You Need to Know and How to Benefit

On March 7, 2025, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a significant policy shift to support the country’s construction industry and address an urgent labour shortage. These changes offer new opportunities for construction workers, including undocumented individuals and temporary foreign workers, to gain permanent residency or advance their careers in Canada.

This article outlines the new measures, who qualifies, and how to take advantage of the changes.

Overview of the 2025 Policy Changes

The Canadian government introduced a three-part initiative aimed at strengthening the construction workforce:

1. A new permanent residence pathway for up to 6,000 undocumented construction workers already in Canada.
2. A study permit exemption for temporary foreign workers enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs.
3. The creation of an advisory council involving industry leaders and policymakers to guide future immigration and labour policy related to the construction sector.

These measures are designed to stabilize Canada’s construction workforce while contributing to the national goal of addressing the housing shortage.

Why the Construction Industry Needs Immigration Support

Canada is currently facing a severe shortage of skilled construction workers, partly due to an aging domestic workforce and insufficient training pipelines. To meet the demand for housing and infrastructure, the government has prioritized immigration policies that support long-term labour force needs. Construction plays a critical role in building housing, and without enough skilled labour, the goal of adding millions of homes over the next decade would be difficult to achieve.

Immigrants already make up a significant portion of construction tradespeople in Canada. The new policy shifts aim to regularize and upskill those already working in the industry while reducing reliance on temporary permits.

Permanent Residence for Undocumented Construction Workers

One of the most impactful changes in 2025 is the decision to open a permanent residency pathway to undocumented construction workers who are already contributing to the economy. Up to 6,000 such workers may be eligible under this policy.

These individuals have typically been working without status for years, often under the risk of exploitation and without access to health coverage or legal protections. The new pathway provides an opportunity for them to obtain legal status and build a secure life in Canada.

While full eligibility criteria have not yet been released, candidates will likely need to demonstrate consistent work in the construction field, good character, and a clear absence of criminal history. Applicants should begin gathering proof of employment, pay records, tax documentation, and any records of past immigration history.

The program is not yet open, but it is expected to launch later in 2025. Once the application portal is available, eligible workers will need to submit comprehensive documentation and may be asked to attend interviews or medical exams.

Study Permit Exemption for Apprentices

Another major change is the removal of the requirement for a study permit for temporary foreign workers who enroll in approved apprenticeship programs. This exemption became effective on February 26, 2025, and will remain in place until at least February 2027.

To qualify, a foreign worker must:

• Hold a valid work permit.
• Be working in a designated construction trade.
• Be registered in a recognized provincial or territorial apprenticeship program.

This policy makes it easier for workers to become certified in Red Seal trades or other regulated construction occupations, increasing their chances of permanent residency through existing immigration streams such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.

This measure not only benefits workers but also improves the quality of the workforce and safety on construction sites.

Express Entry and Construction Trades

In early 2025, Canada updated its Express Entry system to include more construction-related occupations in the skilled trades category. New eligible occupations include construction managers, estimators, bricklayers, roofers, tilers, painters, and other technical roles.

Express Entry is a points-based system that ranks applicants based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors. The inclusion of more construction trades makes it easier for qualified workers in these roles to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

Applicants in the construction field should create an Express Entry profile and ensure that their credentials and language test results are up to date. They may also benefit from provincial nomination streams that prioritize skilled trades.

How to Prepare and Apply

If you are a construction worker looking to benefit from these new pathways, here are steps to take now:

1. Determine Your Status
   Understand whether you are working with a valid permit or without status. Your eligibility for different pathways will depend on this.
2. Document Your Work History
   Collect employment letters, pay stubs, contracts, and other documentation proving your experience in construction trades. This is critical for proving eligibility.
3. Check Your Qualifications
   If you are a temporary foreign worker, make sure your occupation is among those targeted in the recent policy changes.
4. Enroll in Apprenticeship Training
   If you are eligible for the study permit exemption, register in an approved apprenticeship program as soon as possible. Contact your provincial apprenticeship office for details.
5. Seek Legal Advice if Undocumented
   If you are working without legal status, consult with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer who can help you prepare for the upcoming regularization pathway.
6. Monitor Government Announcements
   Keep checking official updates for the launch of the permanent residency pathway. Timely application submission is crucial once the program opens.

What Employers Should Know

Employers in the construction sector also have a vital role to play. Those who rely on foreign labour should:

• Encourage undocumented workers to legalize their status.
• Support employees in applying for PR through available pathways.
• Facilitate access to apprenticeship training and credential recognition.
• Partner with immigration professionals to ensure workforce compliance and stability.

By helping their workers gain permanent residency, employers can build a more committed and legally protected workforce.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s new immigration policies for construction workers are designed to strengthen the labour force and accelerate housing development. For workers, these measures represent a rare opportunity to gain permanent status, enhance their credentials, or transition from temporary to long-term employment in Canada.

If you are eligible, it is important to act now. Prepare your documents, explore your options, and seek guidance to ensure you are ready to take advantage of these historic changes. Whether you are working in Canada legally or not, the door is open for thousands of construction professionals to build not only homes, but also their future.

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