CIMM – Regularization of Undocumented Workers – November 25, 2024

Key Facts and Figures

• Estimates suggest there could be as many as 500,000 undocumented migrants living in Canada.
• Over the past several years, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a number of regularization initiatives:
  • From 2020 to October 31, 2024, approximately 9,195 individuals obtained permanent residence through the Guardian Angels public policy;
  • From October 2020 to October 2024, close to 1,350 individuals obtained permanent residence through the Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area public policy, and
  • From 2005 to October 31, 2024, approximately 85,865 permanent residents have been admitted through a public policy to enable out-of-status spouses and common-law partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for permanent residence.

Key Messages

• IRCC recognizes the vulnerabilities and barriers that a lack of status creates for undocumented migrants as well as the social and economic benefits of regularization.
• IRCC continues to explore options to regularize certain individuals without immigration status who have been contributing socially and economically to Canadian communities.
• The lessons learned from existing pilot programs that regularize status, along with the views and expertise of stakeholders, the academic community, and those with lived experience are being taken into account as we explore the path forward.
• The Levels Plan has set a small number of admissions (50 in 2025, 100 in 2026, 200 in 2027) aside for undocumented individuals as the Department continues to explore options to regularize their status. All further developments will be communicated publicly as they become available.

Supplementary Information

• The Out of Status Construction Worker public policy was renewed on January 3, 2023, doubling the number of eligible beneficiaries under the pilot to up to 1,000 out-of-status construction workers. It was then extended until December 31. This means that the pilot will close either on December 31, 2024, or when 1,000 principal applicants have been accepted through this initiative, whichever comes first.