The number of temporary foreign workers present in Canada increased to 310,000 in 2015 from 52,000 in 1996, according to research released today by Statistics Canada. Almost 90% of temporary foreign workers who were still in Canada after 10 years had obtained permanent resident status, having made the transition from temporary foreign worker to landed immigrant.

Results of the study suggest that the majority of temporary foreign workers in Canada left within the first two years after arrival. However, the tendency to stay longer has increased among more recent arrivals.

The study defined temporary foreign workers as individuals who were aged 18 to 64 at the time of their arrival in Canada, who received a work permit between 1990 and 2009, and whose first admission to Canada was primarily for work purposes.