Migrant workers in Canada are experiencing severe delays in processing their work permits and residency applications, leaving many without legal status, access to health care, or the right to work—forcing some into exploitative situations, according to interviews and government data obtained by Reuters.
The growing backlog in immigration applications, coupled with shifting policies, has left thousands in limbo, unable to renew their permits on time. As a result, migrants who have lived, worked, and paid taxes in Canada are losing their legal status, cutting them off from essential services in a country known for its universal health care system.
Workers Stranded Without Status
Under Canadian immigration rules, temporary foreign workers and other migrants must regularly renew their permits to maintain legal status. However, processing times for work permit renewals and Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs)—a key requirement for many work permits—have surged in recent months.
Data from Canada’s Employment and Social Development Department shows that LMIA processing times for temporary workers hoping to transition to permanent residency have nearly tripled since last year, jumping from 58 business days in September 2023 to 165 business days in March 2025.
While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that applicants can continue working while their renewal requests are processed, many migrants report falling out of status due to prolonged delays. Once their permits expire, they lose access to employment, health care, and social services—pushing some toward underground work or exploitative employers.
Exploitation and Bad Advice on the Rise
With no legal way to earn a living, some migrants are turning to unscrupulous employers who pay below minimum wage or impose unsafe working conditions. Others, desperate for solutions, fall victim to fraudulent immigration consultants offering false promises.
Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups warn that the increasing backlog is creating a crisis.
Canada’s Shifting Immigration Policies
The delays come as Canada attempts to reduce its migrant population, reversing years of pro-immigration policies. The federal government has blamed temporary residents for straining housing and public services, announcing plans to cut the number of temporary permits issued.
While the Liberal government initially promised a pathway to permanent residency for undocumented workers, it later scaled back the plan, offering status only to those in select industries. Now, with an election looming on April 28, immigration has become a key issue.
Conservative leader Mark Carney, who leads in polls, has pledged to cap immigration levels if elected, further fueling uncertainty for migrant workers.
What’s Causing the Backlog?
The immigration department attributes the delays to a surge in applications but has not provided monthly figures on pending cases. Lawyers and experts say frequent policy changes and increased scrutiny of applications are also contributing to the slowdown.
IRCC data shows that while more people are applying for work permits within Canada, rejection rates have also climbed compared to last year.
Undocumented in Canada: A Growing Concern
Canada has historically had a small undocumented population, partly because services like health care are difficult to access without legal status. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of people may be living without authorization in a country of 40 million.
Advocates are urging the government to implement automatic extensions for expiring permits or grant temporary amnesty to those affected by delays.
“These are people who contribute to our economy,” said Marco Luciano of Migrante Canada. “They shouldn’t be punished because the system is failing them.”
For now, migrant workers remain in a precarious position—hoping for approvals that could take months or even years, all while living in fear of losing everything they’ve built in Canada.