Canada Targets Additional 230k Foreign Workers in Jobs Paying KSh 3k to 4k Per Hour

• Canada’s federal government has set targets to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers through two major permit programmes in 2026
• New rules introduced in August 2026 allow eligible employers to hire more low-wage workers across small work locations, potentially widening opportunities
• Kenyan job seekers could benefit as more employers qualify to bring in foreign workers, though competition for the 60,000 TFWP slots remains stiff

Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.

Canada’s federal government has announced plans to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026 through its two main work permit pathways, with wages for qualifying positions reaching between KSh 3,000 and KSh 4,000 per hour depending on the province.

The targets, outlined in the government’s annual immigration levels plan, allocate 60,000 admissions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and 170,000 to the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The TFWP figure marks a 27% reduction from the previous target of 82,000, while the IMP allocation has increased.

Canada’s broader immigration policy aims to bring the share of temporary residents below 5% of the national population by the end of 2027.

The updated rules could open additional pathways for Kenyan workers, as more employers across multiple small sites may now qualify to sponsor foreign hires. However, overall TFWP admissions remain capped at 60,000 for the year, meaning competition among international applicants will remain high.

Two Work Permit Pathways to Canada

The TFWP requires employers to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a formal process to demonstrate that no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the role.

The IMP operates without this requirement and accounts for the larger share of permits issued annually.

Within the TFWP, positions are classified as either low-wage or high-wage. A role falls into the low-wage stream when the offered pay is below 120% of the regional median hourly wage.

In Ontario, that threshold currently stands at CAD 36.92 (approximately KSh 3,397) per hour. British Columbia’s cutoff is CAD 38.40, Alberta’s is CAD 37.50, and Quebec’s is CAD 36.00.

New Rules Expand Hiring for Small Worksites

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the programme requirements on August 18, 2026, changing how low-wage workforce caps are calculated for employers running multiple small locations.

Previously, most employers were capped at hiring low-wage temporary foreign workers representing no more than 10% of their total workforce, rising to 20% in sectors such as health care, construction, and food production.

Under the revised rules, ESDC now permits a site-specific calculation for worksites with fewer than 10 employees. Qualifying employers can bring in one low-wage worker per small location, or up to two in the specified high-demand sectors.

The change is particularly relevant for restaurants, care facilities, retail businesses, and construction-related operations running several small sites simultaneously.

Since March 13, 2026, provinces have also been empowered to raise the low-wage cap to 15% for rural employers, creating additional hiring capacity outside major cities.

Employers using the low-wage stream carry mandatory obligations: they must cover the worker’s return travel costs, arrange suitable housing at no more than 30% of the worker’s pre-tax income, and provide private health insurance where provincial coverage is unavailable.

It is worth noting that since September 2024, low-wage LMIA applications have generally not been processed for positions in urban areas where unemployment exceeds 6%, limiting options in some larger cities.

Which careers are in demand in Canada?

In other news, Kenyans planning to move to Canada in 2026 are being advised to choose careers that align with areas experiencing labour shortages, although an in-demand occupation does not automatically guarantee a job offer or permanent residency.

Healthcare and social services, including nursing, caregiving, social work and early childhood education, are among the fields highlighted, alongside trades such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.

Technology, engineering, transport, logistics and agriculture also offer potential opportunities, but applicants will need to meet Canadian qualification, licensing and work requirements where applicable.

Kenyan students and professionals are encouraged to research employment prospects, credential recognition and available immigration pathways before investing in education or relocation.

Source: TUKO.co.ke