On This Page You Will Find
- PR transition rates for health care TFWs since 2000
- Key immigration pathways used by TFWs
- The impact of recent immigration policy changes
- Source country trends for PR transitions
- Tips for TFWs planning to stay in Canada permanently
Health Care TFWs Are Moving Toward Permanent Residency in Canada
More temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada’s health care system are successfully becoming permanent residents (PRs). This shift reflects both the growing need for long-term care workers and the availability of immigration pathways that reward experience and stability in Canada.
A recent Statistics Canada study confirms that PR transition rates have steadily improved for foreign workers in health care since the early 2000s. The trends are especially strong for workers from countries like the Philippines and India, who often begin in caregiver roles and continue to build their lives in Canada.
These rising rates show that temporary status is no longer just a short-term stop – for many, it’s the first step in a permanent journey.
Transition Rates Are Rising with Each New Cohort
One of the clearest trends in the study is the steady increase in the percentage of TFWs who go on to obtain PR status. Among those who first worked in Canadian health care between 2000 and 2004, 54.5 percent became permanent residents within five years. For those who arrived between 2010 and 2014, that rate rose to 59.6 percent.
For even newer cohorts, the transition to PR is happening even faster. TFWs who arrived between 2005 and 2014 took about seven years to reach a 63 percent transition rate. Earlier cohorts needed more than 15 years to reach the same level. These numbers suggest that Canada’s immigration system has become more responsive to the contributions of foreign care workers.
Immigration Pathways Have Evolved to Help More Workers Stay
Over the past two decades, Canada has introduced and expanded several immigration streams that benefit foreign workers in health care.
Between 2005 and 2019, a significant share of health care TFWs – about one-quarter – obtained permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program. However, this stream has since been phased out. In its place, other options have become more popular and more flexible, including:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): A common route for workers across provinces needing health care staff
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For those with one year of Canadian work experience, especially in health-related roles
- TR to PR Pathway: A special temporary policy introduced in 2021 that granted PR to many frontline health workers during the pandemic
In 2022 and 2023, more than a quarter of former TFWs who received PR did so through the TR to PR Pathway.
These evolving immigration programs have created more accessible and targeted options for those with Canadian work experience in essential sectors like health care.
Female Workers Lead the Transition to Permanent Residency
The data show that most health care TFWs who become permanent residents are women. From 2005 to 2023, around three-quarters of the 105,000 former TFWs who transitioned to PR were female. This aligns with the gender distribution in caregiving roles, which often attract more women globally.
The average age at landing also decreased slightly, from 36.9 years in the 2005–2009 period to 33.3 years for those landing in 2020–2021. This may reflect more proactive immigration strategies by younger workers, as well as faster transitions for recent arrivals.
The Philippines and India Are the Top Source Countries
Two countries dominate the numbers for TFWs who move into permanent residency in Canadian health care: the Philippines and India.
Between 2005 and 2014, more than 30 percent of TFWs who transitioned to PR came from the Philippines. Since 2020, Indian workers have accounted for over one-quarter of all successful transitions. These groups have often worked in long-term care or home health roles, which are in high demand across Canada.
The continued strength of these countries in Canada’s immigration landscape highlights the importance of stable recruitment relationships and the long-term value of consistent policy support for source-country pipelines.
Occupation Type Matters for Long-Term Sector Retention
Gaining permanent residency is just one part of the story. What happens afterward also matters – especially when it comes to retaining talent in the health care system.
Statistics Canada found that TFWs with health-occupation-specific work permits were far more likely to stay in the health care sector after gaining PR. One year after becoming permanent residents, over 80 percent of them remained in health roles. Even after five years, that figure stayed above 75 percent.
By contrast, those who held open work permits or who worked in non-health jobs while in temporary status were much more likely to leave the sector after getting PR. Fewer than half stayed in health care five years after landing.
This difference shows how important it is to connect permit types, occupations, and long-term career goals – not only for immigration success, but for health system stability.
What Newcomers Can Learn from These Trends
Health care workers coming to Canada on temporary permits can take several lessons from this data:
- Choose targeted roles in care sectors with high demand and strong PR pathways
- Apply early for permanent residency, as policies now support faster transitions
- Understand your work permit type – health-specific permits may help you stay in the field longer
- Consider location – provinces like Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia offer the most opportunities and program options
- Take advantage of special pathways like the TR to PR program when available
Canada’s immigration system rewards consistent work in essential roles. Foreign workers who plan ahead and stay informed can make the journey from temporary to permanent more successfully.
Transition to PR Essential for Canada
The pathway from temporary status to permanent residency is becoming smoother for health care workers in Canada. Transition rates have increased significantly since 2000, and more immigration programs are designed to help workers with Canadian experience settle permanently.
Women, especially from countries like the Philippines and India, have led the way. Their success stories show how temporary work permits can open doors to long-term opportunities – not just for individuals, but for the communities they serve.
As Canada’s population continues to age and health care demand rises, supporting this transition is not just good immigration policy – it’s essential for the future of the health care system.
FAQ
How many temporary health workers in Canada become permanent residents?
Over half of TFWs working in health care transition to permanent residency within five years. Recent cohorts show even higher transition rates, especially after policy changes in the 2010s.
Which immigration programs help TFWs become permanent residents?
Health care TFWs often transition through the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, or special programs like the TR to PR Pathway introduced in 2021.
Do workers with health-specific work permits have better long-term outcomes?
Yes. Workers with health-specific permits are more likely to stay in the sector after gaining PR, with retention rates above 75 percent even five years later.
Are women more likely to transition to PR in health care roles?
Yes. About 75 percent of health care TFWs who become permanent residents are women, reflecting global caregiving patterns and the structure of Canada’s long-term care workforce.
What can newcomers do to improve their chances of getting PR?
Focus on high-demand health roles, choose provinces with strong nominee programs, understand your permit type, and apply as soon as you’re eligible. Staying informed is key.
