'How are we a burden on Canada': Millions, mostly Punjabis, at risk as temporary work permits expire by 2026
This surge in expiries coincides with Ottawa’s plan to reduce the proportion of temporary residents from about 7 per cent to 5 per cent of the population by 2027, tightening pathways to permanent residency in the process
A growing number of temporary residents in Canada are calling on the government to extend work permits and grant them a fair chance to remain in the country, amid a massive wave of expiring visas and tightening immigration policies.
A video of them has surfaced online and has gone viral.
Punjabis and mostly seen in the group, which include international graduates, skilled workers and other temporary permit holders voicing frustration over Ottawa’s handling of permit expiries.
Many argue they have contributed to Canada’s economy and communities and question why they are being forced to leave after years of work and study.
Advocates say the issue affects millions of people across Canada, with nearly 2.9 million temporary resident permits expiring throughout 2025 and 2026 across various streams, including work permits and post‑graduation work authorizations.
This surge in expiries coincides with Ottawa’s plan to reduce the proportion of temporary residents from about 7 per cent to 5 per cent of the population by 2027, tightening pathways to permanent residency in the process.
Data from immigration analysts indicates that approximately 1.05 million temporary work permits expired in 2025, and another 9,27,000 are set to lapse in 2026, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of losing legal status if they cannot extend or change their conditions.
Many impacted individuals have called on the government to adopt policy changes that allow work‑permit extensions, greater transparency on immigration pathways, and fair treatment for long‑term temporary residents. Some community groups note that extending work permits would help address labour shortages in sectors like technology, health care, and construction.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has acknowledged processing backlogs and is under pressure to balance public concerns with policy goals, but no major national extension plan has been announced so far.
Temporary residents with expiring visas demand that Canada allow them to stay:
"Our demand is simple: extend our work permits and give us a fair chance to stay"
"How are we a burden on this country?" pic.twitter.com/rJ3M82YFWJ
— Riley Donovan (@valdombre) February 18, 2026
