On This Page, You Will Find:
- Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan for 2027, 2028 and 2029
- The complete permanent resident admission targets by immigration category
- Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program and economic immigration targets
- International student and temporary foreign worker targets
- Details of the new 200,000-person permanent residence transition measure
- Canada’s family sponsorship, refugee and humanitarian immigration targets
- New rural immigration and Francophone immigration commitments
- How the 2027-2029 plan compares with the previous plan
- What the immigration targets mean for prospective applicants
- Frequently asked questions about Canada’s immigration levels
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan establishes how many permanent residents and new temporary residents the federal government intends to admit each year.
The latest 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan, announced on November 5, 2026, maintains annual permanent resident admissions at 380,000 and sets new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 for each of the next three years.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also published the detailed admission targets for individual immigration programs, confirming significant changes to Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, rural immigration and humanitarian pathways.
The latest plan maintains Canada’s overall immigration targets while changing how permanent residence places are distributed.
Federal High Skilled admissions will fall to 100,000 annually, while Provincial Nominee Program admissions will increase to 95,000. The Atlantic Immigration Program will receive 6,000 admissions annually, and Canada will establish a permanent Rural Community Immigration Program.
The government has also announced an additional, time-limited measure to help up to 200,000 people already living in Canada transition to permanent residence during 2027.
These changes reflect a shift towards selecting immigrants who meet regional labour market needs, possess priority skills or have already established themselves in Canada.
What Is Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan?
The Immigration Levels Plan is a three-year forecast of Canada’s planned immigration admissions.
The federal government publishes a new plan annually, setting targets for the coming year and provisional targets for the following two years.
The plan covers four main permanent residence categories:
- Economic immigration
- Family immigration
- Refugees and protected persons
- Humanitarian and compassionate and other admissions
Since 2024, the plan has also included targets for new temporary residents, including foreign workers and international students.
These targets help the government manage immigration while considering economic requirements, provincial labour shortages, housing availability and public service capacity.
The plan does not determine whether an individual applicant qualifies for immigration. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the immigration program concerned.
It also does not guarantee that Canada will admit exactly the target number of immigrants. IRCC publishes admission ranges to provide flexibility if circumstances change.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the immigration minister must table an annual report to Parliament containing the immigration levels plan.
The government released the latest plan alongside Budget 2026 on November 5, 2026, followed by the detailed program-level figures.
Canada’s 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan At A Glance
The government has maintained the permanent resident and temporary resident targets previously established for 2027 and 2028 and extended them into 2029.
| Immigration Category | 2027 Target | 2028 Target | 2029 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent residents | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| Economic immigrants | 244,700 | 244,700 | 244,700 |
| Family immigrants | 81,000 | 81,000 | 81,000 |
| Refugees and protected persons | 49,300 | 49,300 | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian and other immigrants | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| New temporary resident arrivals | 370,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
| Temporary workers | 220,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International students | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
The figures show that Canada intends to admit 1.14 million permanent residents over three years.
Economic immigration will account for approximately 64.4% of all regular permanent resident admissions.
Family immigration will account for 21.3%, refugees and protected persons for 13%, and humanitarian and other admissions for approximately 1.3%.
The plan also supports the government’s objective of reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
Canada Permanent Resident Targets For 2027-2029
Canada’s permanent resident target will remain at 380,000 annually throughout the plan.
The official planning range for each year is 352,500 to 422,000 permanent residents.
| Year | Admissions Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 380,000 | 352,500 | 422,000 |
| 2028 | 380,000 | 352,500 | 422,000 |
| 2029 | 380,000 | 352,500 | 422,000 |
The overall target remains unchanged from the 2026-2028 plan, although the new plan revises the planning ranges.
The government says maintaining stable admissions will help Canada balance immigration’s economic benefits against the pressure that rapid population growth can place on housing, infrastructure and public services.
Permanent resident admissions include individuals who already live in Canada as temporary residents.
Consequently, the admissions figures should not be interpreted as the number of people newly arriving in Canada from abroad.
Complete 2027-2029 Permanent Residence Immigration Targets By Program
The following table provides the detailed immigration program targets established by IRCC.
| Immigration Category Or Program | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Economic Immigration | 244,700 | 244,700 | 244,700 |
| Federal High Skilled | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Federal Business | 1,500 | 2,725 | 1,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 7,900 | 6,175 | 7,400 |
| Rural Community Immigration Program | 5,500 | 6,000 | 6,500 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 95,000 | 95,000 | 95,000 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers And Business | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total Family Immigration | 81,000 | 81,000 | 81,000 |
| Spouses, Partners And Children | 66,000 | 66,000 | 66,000 |
| Parents And Grandparents | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Total Refugees And Protected Persons | 49,300 | 49,300 | 49,300 |
| Protected Persons In Canada And Dependants Abroad | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Government-Assisted Refugees | 11,750 | 11,750 | 11,750 |
| Privately Sponsored Refugees | 17,550 | 17,550 | 17,550 |
| Humanitarian And Compassionate And Other | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Total Permanent Residents | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
The economic subcategories shown do not yet add up to the total economic target because Quebec’s skilled worker and business immigration figures remain to be determined.
Quebec establishes its own economic immigration targets under the Canada-Quebec Accord.
The detailed targets also reveal a redistribution of economic immigration places compared with the previous levels plan.
Economic Immigration Targets For 2027-2029
Economic immigration remains the largest category under Canada’s immigration levels plan.
IRCC has allocated 244,700 annual admissions to economic immigration in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The category supports employers, communities and provincial governments seeking workers with the qualifications and experience needed to fill labour market shortages.
It includes federal skilled worker immigration, provincial nominations, business immigration, regional immigration programs and specialized economic pathways.
The new plan places greater emphasis on provincial and regional programs while reducing admissions through the Federal High Skilled category.
Federal High Skilled Immigration And Express Entry
Canada has allocated 100,000 annual admissions to Federal High Skilled immigration from 2027 to 2029.
This represents a reduction from the 111,000 admissions previously planned for 2027 and 2028.
The Federal High Skilled category includes three programs:
IRCC manages these programs through the Express Entry system.
| Year | Federal High Skilled Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 100,000 | 87,000 | 123,000 |
| 2028 | 100,000 | 87,000 | 123,000 |
| 2029 | 100,000 | 87,000 | 123,000 |
The lower target may increase competition among candidates seeking permanent residence through Express Entry.
However, admission targets do not translate directly into Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
IRCC can issue invitations in one year to candidates who receive permanent residence the following year.
The department also uses category-based selection to invite candidates with skills, experience or language abilities that match government priorities.
Recent changes have increased the emphasis on Canadian work experience, high-wage occupations and candidates who can address specific labour market needs.
Prospective applicants should monitor Express Entry draws and their Comprehensive Ranking System scores to assess their prospects.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories to nominate immigrants who meet their regional economic and labour market needs.
The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan increases the PNP target to 95,000 permanent resident admissions annually.
The previous plan had established provisional targets of 92,500 annually for 2027 and 2028.
| Year | PNP Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 95,000 | 83,000 | 106,000 |
| 2028 | 95,000 | 83,000 | 106,000 |
| 2029 | 95,000 | 83,000 | 106,000 |
The increase strengthens the role of provincial governments in selecting immigrants.
Provinces can prioritize candidates based on local conditions, including shortages in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology and other industries.
However, the federal PNP admissions target does not establish how many nominations each province will receive.
Provincial nomination allocations are determined separately, and individual programs may have their own eligibility criteria and application limits.
Applicants can explore the Provincial Nominee Program and the requirements of participating provinces.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program supports employers in four provinces:
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
The program allows designated employers to recruit eligible foreign workers and international graduates for positions they have been unable to fill locally.
Canada has increased its Atlantic Immigration Program admissions target from the previously planned 4,000 annually to 6,000.
| Year | Atlantic Immigration Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 8,500 |
| 2028 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 |
| 2029 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 |
The higher target gives Atlantic Canada greater capacity to retain skilled workers and support employers facing persistent recruitment difficulties.
It also reflects the federal government’s emphasis on directing immigration towards regional economic needs.
More information is available in the Atlantic Immigration Program guide.
Rural Community Immigration Program
Canada has confirmed plans to make the Rural Community Immigration Pilot permanent.
The new Rural Community Immigration Program will provide a continuing immigration pathway for eligible workers in participating smaller communities.
The program will receive increasing permanent resident admissions over the next three years.
| Year | Rural Immigration Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5,500 | 4,000 | 6,500 |
| 2028 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 |
| 2029 | 6,500 | 4,000 | 7,000 |
The figures also include admissions from existing applications under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the earlier Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
The permanent program is intended to help communities experiencing population decline, workforce shortages and difficulties attracting skilled workers.
Applicants should review the Rural Community Immigration Pilot for information about the existing pathway while awaiting further implementation details.
Federal Business Immigration
Federal business immigration admissions will vary over the three years.
The category includes the Start-up Visa Program and the Self-Employed Persons Program.
| Year | Federal Business Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1,500 | 500 | 5,000 |
| 2028 | 2,725 | 1,500 | 3,500 |
| 2029 | 1,000 | 500 | 2,000 |
These targets represent planned permanent residence admissions, not new application quotas.
Canada has restricted new applications under its federal business immigration programs, so admissions may include people who submitted applications before the restrictions took effect.
Candidates interested in entrepreneurship can review the Business Immigration overview and available provincial entrepreneur programs.
Federal Economic Immigration Pilots
Federal economic pilots support specific labour market needs and groups of applicants.
The new plan allocates the following admissions:
| Year | Federal Economic Pilots Target | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 7,900 | 5,000 | 15,450 |
| 2028 | 6,175 | 4,400 | 8,250 |
| 2029 | 7,400 | 4,900 | 10,500 |
The category includes admissions through:
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots and previous caregiver programs
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
- Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
Some programs have stopped accepting new applications but will continue processing existing cases.
The Rural Community Immigration Program now has its own separate admissions category.
Applicants should not interpret the economic pilots target as confirmation that every listed program remains open for new applications.
Canada Temporary Resident Targets For 2027-2029
The Immigration Levels Plan also sets annual targets for new international students and temporary foreign workers.
Canada intends to admit 370,000 new temporary residents through these programs in each year from 2027 to 2029.
This compares with the 2026 target of 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals.
| Temporary Resident Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Mobility Program | 170,000 | 170,000 | 170,000 | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program | 60,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Total Temporary Workers | 230,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International Students | 155,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
| Total New Temporary Residents | 385,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
The overall 2027-2029 temporary resident planning range is 355,000 to 385,000 annually.
Workers will account for approximately 60% of new arrivals, while international students will account for approximately 40%.
The figures reflect the government’s efforts to reduce the size of Canada’s temporary resident population while maintaining access to foreign workers and students.
International Student Targets
Canada will target 150,000 new international student arrivals annually in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The target represents a reduction from 155,000 in 2026.
The international student program continues to face restrictions intended to manage enrolment and reduce pressure on housing and public services.
Prospective students must meet the applicable requirements for study permits, including financial support, admission to an eligible institution and any provincial or territorial attestation requirements.
Students considering permanent residence after graduation should also assess their eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and available immigration pathways.
The international student arrivals target does not represent the total number of valid study permit holders in Canada.
Students who extend their permits or receive new permits while already in Canada are not generally counted as new arrivals under these targets.
For more information, see the Canada Study Permit guide.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows Canadian employers to recruit foreign nationals when they cannot find available Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill positions.
Employers generally require a Labour Market Impact Assessment before hiring workers under this program.
Canada will target 50,000 new arrivals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program annually from 2027 to 2029.
This is a reduction from 60,000 in 2026.
The admissions figures cover qualifying non-seasonal workers, including workers expected to remain in Canada for longer than one year.
Certain seasonal workers are excluded from the target.
The government continues to adjust the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to balance employer demand against protections for the domestic workforce.
International Mobility Program
The International Mobility Program allows eligible foreign nationals to work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
The program includes work permits issued under international agreements and other LMIA-exempt categories.
Canada has maintained its annual new-arrivals target at 170,000 throughout the 2027-2029 plan.
This is unchanged from the 2026 target.
The figure does not include all LMIA-exempt work permits issued in Canada.
For example, IRCC excludes Post-Graduation Work Permits from the new-arrivals target because it treats them as a change or extension of status rather than a new entry to Canada.
The targets also exclude certain short-duration or seasonal streams.
Applicants can learn more about the International Mobility Program.
What Temporary Resident Targets Do Not Include
Temporary resident arrival targets should not be confused with the total number of temporary residents living in Canada.
IRCC excludes several groups from the published new-arrivals figures, including:
- Visitors entering Canada with temporary resident visas or electronic travel authorizations
- People extending existing study or work permits
- Applicants receiving study or work permits while already in Canada
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders changing status after studying
- Asylum claimants
- Certain seasonal and short-duration foreign workers
Although these groups are not included in the published new-arrivals targets, IRCC considers relevant populations when assessing progress towards its overall temporary resident population objective.
Canada’s Target To Reduce Temporary Residents Below 5% Of The Population
The federal government continues to pursue its objective of reducing Canada’s temporary resident population to below 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
This commitment has influenced changes to study permits, work permits and immigration selection programs.
The government argues that slower temporary resident population growth will reduce pressure on housing, healthcare and other services.
At the same time, it continues to recognize the economic importance of temporary foreign workers and international students.
The immigration levels plan therefore combines lower new-arrival targets with measures intended to help qualifying temporary residents transition to permanent residence.
These transitions can reduce the number of people counted as temporary residents without necessarily requiring them to leave Canada.
New Permanent Residence Measure For Up To 200,000 People Already In Canada
The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan introduces an additional time-limited measure to help up to 200,000 people already living in Canada obtain permanent residence.
IRCC has clarified that this measure will provide additional admissions space in 2027, separate from the regular immigration levels targets.
The initiative will support two groups.
| Group | Maximum Number Supported | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Workers and accompanying family members | 100,000 | Address provincial and regional labour market needs |
| Humanitarian and family-related applicants | 100,000 | Complete eligible existing applications and reduce backlogs |
| Total | 200,000 | Support permanent residence transitions in 2027 |
The measure is distinct from the government’s earlier one-time initiatives announced in Budget 2025.
Workers Cohort
Up to 100,000 workers already living in Canada and their accompanying family members will be supported through the workers cohort.
The federal government will work with provinces and territories to identify qualifying workers who can address regional labour market shortages.
Provinces will be able to use additional nomination space to support eligible candidates.
They may also identify workers who already have applications under selected federal programs.
These include the Atlantic Immigration Program, Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programs.
Some of these programs are closed to new applications.
The measure will therefore support the processing of existing applications as well as eligible provincial nominations.
IRCC has not announced a general application process for every temporary foreign worker currently living in Canada.
Applicants must wait for the relevant eligibility and implementation details.
Humanitarian Cohort
The second cohort will support up to 100,000 people with existing humanitarian or family-related immigration applications.
The government has identified several groups that could benefit.
They include applicants under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways and Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
The measure will also support people already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
In addition, IRCC intends to process applications involving spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who already live in Canada.
The government says this additional capacity should help reduce backlogs and bring processing times closer to 12 months for qualifying spouse or common-law partner applications destined for provinces and territories outside Quebec.
The measure is intended to help applicants who have already established themselves in Canadian communities, rather than encouraging a large additional intake of people from overseas.
Existing One-Time Permanent Residence Initiatives For 2026-2027
Canada is continuing two earlier initiatives announced under Budget 2025.
These measures are separate from the new 200,000-person initiative.
Protected Persons Initiative – Up To 115,000 People
The government intends to accelerate permanent residence for up to 115,000 eligible protected persons in Canada and their in-Canada dependants during 2026 and 2027.
The initiative applies to qualifying people who have already been recognized as protected persons and are awaiting permanent residence processing.
It is intended to reduce existing application inventories and provide greater certainty for people who have already received protection in Canada.
In-Canada Workers Initiative – Up To 33,000 People
The government is also accelerating permanent residence processing for up to 33,000 work permit holders during 2026 and 2027.
The initiative focuses on workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy, including people working in smaller communities and sectors experiencing labour shortages.
IRCC intends to complete work under this initiative during 2027.
The new 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan confirms that both earlier measures will continue alongside the additional 200,000-person transition initiative.
These special initiatives should not be confused with the regular annual permanent residence targets.
Family Sponsorship Immigration Targets
Family reunification remains a major component of Canada’s immigration system.
The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan allocates 81,000 annual admissions to family immigration.
| Family Immigration Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouses, Partners And Children | 66,000 | 66,000 | 66,000 |
| Parents And Grandparents | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Total Family Immigration | 81,000 | 81,000 | 81,000 |
The planning ranges are 61,000 to 75,000 for spouses, partners and children, and 12,000 to 18,000 for parents and grandparents.
The overall family class planning range is 76,000 to 89,000 annually.
Spousal And Partner Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible spouses, common-law partners and dependent children through Family Sponsorship Immigration.
The annual admissions target for spouses, partners and children will remain at 66,000 throughout the new plan.
The separate humanitarian transition measure could also help qualifying in-Canada sponsorship applicants whose cases have been delayed.
Parents And Grandparents Sponsorship
Canada has maintained its annual parents and grandparents admissions target at 15,000.
However, the target represents planned permanent resident admissions and does not guarantee a new intake of sponsorship applications.
The government has restricted new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program while continuing to process existing cases.
Eligible parents and grandparents may also consider the Super Visa for extended temporary visits to Canada.
Refugee And Protected Person Immigration Targets
Canada has allocated 49,300 annual permanent residence admissions to refugees and protected persons.
This represents approximately 13% of the regular permanent resident target.
| Refugee Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected Persons In Canada And Dependants Abroad | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Government-Assisted Refugees | 11,750 | 11,750 | 11,750 |
| Privately Sponsored Refugees | 17,550 | 17,550 | 17,550 |
| Total | 49,300 | 49,300 | 49,300 |
The planning ranges for the individual categories are:
- Protected persons in Canada and dependants abroad: 16,000 to 29,000 annually
- Government-assisted refugees: 10,000 to 16,000 in 2027 and 8,500 to 14,500 in 2028 and 2029
- Privately sponsored refugees: 14,500 to 20,500 annually
The government-assisted refugee category also includes selected resettlement streams supporting human rights defenders and people requiring protection.
The regular refugee admissions targets are separate from the additional one-time measures for protected persons and humanitarian applicants.
Humanitarian And Compassionate Immigration Targets
Canada has allocated 5,000 permanent residence admissions annually to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category.
The planning range is 4,500 to 8,000 each year.
This category includes people admitted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, under public policies and through certain other immigration provisions.
The government has emphasized reducing existing humanitarian application backlogs through the separate time-limited transition measure.
As a result, the regular 5,000 annual target does not represent the total processing capacity that may become available for eligible humanitarian applicants in 2027.
Francophone Immigration Targets Outside Quebec
Canada has confirmed a significant increase in its targets for French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec.
The government intends to raise the share of Francophone permanent resident admissions outside Quebec to 12% by 2029.
| Year | Target Share | Planned Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9% | 30,267 |
| 2027 | 9.5% | 31,825 |
| 2028 | 10.5% | 35,175 |
| 2029 | 12% | 40,200 |
These targets are intended to support Francophone minority communities and address demographic and labour market needs.
The government continues to use French-language selection categories and specialized immigration initiatives to attract French-speaking candidates.
French-language skills may therefore remain an important advantage for eligible economic immigration applicants.
The official planned admissions figures are calculated using assumptions about admissions outside Quebec and may require adjustments after Quebec publishes its own immigration levels targets.
Quebec Immigration Targets And The Federal Levels Plan
Quebec has a distinct role in Canada’s immigration system.
Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province is responsible for selecting economic immigrants intending to settle in Quebec.
As a result, Quebec’s economic immigration targets are not specified in the same way as federal and provincial nominee targets.
The 2027-2029 federal immigration levels table lists Quebec Skilled Workers and Business admissions as to be determined.
Quebec publishes its own immigration planning figures and establishes selection priorities through its provincial immigration programs.
Applicants intending to settle in Quebec should review the province’s separate eligibility requirements and admission planning.
For more information, see the Quebec Immigration overview.
How The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan Compares With The Previous Plan
Although the new plan preserves the overall 2027 and 2028 admissions targets, it changes several important program allocations.
The table below compares the 2027 target from the previous 2026-2028 plan with the revised 2027 target under the latest plan.
| Immigration Category | Previous 2027 Target | New 2027 Target | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Permanent Residents | 380,000 | 380,000 | 0 |
| Economic Immigration | 244,700 | 244,700 | 0 |
| Federal High Skilled | 111,000 | 100,000 | -11,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 92,500 | 95,000 | +2,500 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
| Federal Business | 500 | 1,500 | +1,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 8,775 | 7,900 | -875 |
| Rural Community Immigration | Included In Pilots | 5,500 | New Separate Category |
| Family Immigration | 81,000 | 81,000 | 0 |
| Refugees And Protected Persons | 49,300 | 49,300 | 0 |
| Humanitarian And Other | 5,000 | 5,000 | 0 |
| Temporary Resident Arrivals | 370,000 | 370,000 | 0 |
The comparison shows that the government has changed the distribution of economic immigration admissions without increasing the overall number of permanent residents.
The rural immigration category is now listed separately, so its target should not be treated as entirely new admissions compared with the previous plan.
The government has also increased the share of places allocated to regional immigration programs.
The most significant reduction affects Federal High Skilled immigration, where the target has fallen by 11,000 annual admissions.
Canada’s 2026 Immigration Targets Under The Previous Plan
The 2026 targets established under the previous 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan remain relevant for understanding the transition to the new plan.
Canada’s overall permanent resident target for 2026 is 380,000.
However, the composition differs from the new targets for 2027 onwards.
| Immigration Category | 2026 Target |
|---|---|
| Total Permanent Residents | 380,000 |
| Economic Immigration | 239,800 |
| Federal High Skilled | 109,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 91,500 |
| Federal Business | 500 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 8,175 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 |
| Family Immigration | 84,000 |
| Refugees And Protected Persons | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian And Other | 6,900 |
| New Temporary Resident Arrivals | 385,000 |
| Temporary Workers | 230,000 |
| International Students | 155,000 |
The main difference is that the 2027-2029 plan increases economic immigration’s share while reducing the regular family and humanitarian allocations compared with 2026.
It also lowers new temporary resident arrivals by 15,000 annually.
The 2026 figures provide a baseline for assessing how Canada’s immigration priorities are changing.
Canada’s Historical Permanent Resident Admissions
Canada’s immigration targets have changed significantly over the past decade.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual permanent resident admissions generally increased as the government sought to address labour shortages and support economic growth.
Admissions fell sharply in 2020 before recovering strongly in subsequent years.
Canada reached a record 483,655 permanent resident admissions in 2024.
The new annual target of 380,000 represents approximately 21% fewer admissions than the 2024 record.
However, it remains considerably higher than the immigration levels Canada recorded before the pandemic.
The policy therefore represents a period of stabilization rather than a return to the much lower immigration levels of previous decades.
Why Canada Has Reduced Immigration Growth
The federal government has introduced lower immigration targets following several years of rapid population growth.
Canada experienced strong increases in both permanent and temporary residents after the pandemic.
The growth supported employers and educational institutions but also contributed to concerns about housing supply, affordability and pressure on public services.
The government now intends to align immigration more closely with the country’s ability to accommodate newcomers.
At the same time, Canada continues to experience economic and demographic challenges.
An ageing population and labour shortages in certain occupations and regions mean immigration remains an important part of the country’s economic strategy.
The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan attempts to address both priorities by maintaining stable overall admissions and allocating more places to programs connected to specific labour market needs.
What Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan Means For Applicants
The latest plan creates different opportunities and challenges depending on an applicant’s immigration pathway.
Express Entry Applicants
The lower Federal High Skilled target means candidates should not assume overall permanent residence stability will produce unchanged opportunities through Express Entry.
Category-based selection, Canadian work experience and labour market priorities will remain important considerations.
Candidates should assess their Comprehensive Ranking System score and eligibility for different selection categories.
Provincial Nominee Applicants
The higher PNP target gives provinces and territories more regular permanent residence admissions capacity.
Candidates who meet regional labour market priorities or qualify through employer-supported provincial streams may benefit.
However, admission targets do not guarantee that a particular provincial stream will reopen or issue more invitations.
Temporary Foreign Workers
The government’s additional transition measures may benefit people already working in Canada.
Workers with established employment, eligible permanent residence applications or qualifications needed in regional labour markets may be well positioned.
However, eligibility will depend on the rules governing the relevant programs and transition measures.
International Students
The government continues to restrict new international student arrivals.
Students considering Canada should examine the full cost of studying, study permit requirements, Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility and possible permanent residence options.
Graduation from a Canadian institution does not automatically guarantee eligibility for permanent residence.
Family Sponsorship Applicants
Regular family immigration admissions remain stable at 81,000 annually.
Applicants with qualifying in-Canada sponsorship applications may benefit from additional humanitarian processing capacity.
However, the government has not announced a general expansion of family sponsorship eligibility.
Francophone Applicants
The increasing Francophone targets may create opportunities for candidates with strong French-language skills who intend to settle outside Quebec.
French proficiency can be relevant to Express Entry, federal Francophone initiatives and certain provincial immigration programs.
Will Canada Increase Immigration Again After 2029?
The latest plan maintains overall immigration targets through 2029.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously indicated that Canada could eventually return to a controlled increase in population growth once the government is satisfied that immigration is at sustainable levels.
However, those remarks do not establish an immigration target beyond 2029.
Future immigration levels will depend on economic conditions, labour market demand, population trends and the federal government’s policy priorities.
Canada publishes a new Immigration Levels Plan annually, meaning targets for later years can be confirmed or revised.
Applicants should therefore treat the 2028 and 2029 figures as current planning targets rather than guarantees that they will remain unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Canada’s Latest Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada’s latest plan covers 2027 to 2029 and sets annual targets of 380,000 permanent resident admissions and 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals. Economic immigration will account for approximately 64.4% of permanent admissions. The plan also changes allocations for Express Entry, provincial immigration, rural programs and other permanent residence pathways.
How Many Permanent Residents Will Canada Accept In 2027?
Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2027, with an official planning range of 352,500 to 422,000. The target includes 244,700 economic immigrants, 81,000 family immigrants, 49,300 refugees and protected persons, and 5,000 humanitarian and other admissions. Separate one-time measures will provide additional permanent residence processing capacity.
Will Canada’s Express Entry Immigration Targets Increase In 2027?
No. Canada has reduced the Federal High Skilled admissions target from the previously planned 111,000 to 100,000 in 2027. The category includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. The reduction does not automatically mean that Express Entry invitations or CRS cut-off scores will change by the same proportion.
Who Can Apply For Canada’s New 200,000 Permanent Residence Measure?
Canada’s new time-limited measure will support up to 100,000 workers and accompanying family members and up to 100,000 people with qualifying humanitarian or family-related applications. The measure focuses on people already living in Canada. IRCC has not announced a general application process, and eligibility will depend on the relevant program rules.
How Many International Students And Temporary Foreign Workers Will Canada Accept In 2027?
Canada has set a target of 150,000 new international student arrivals and 220,000 new temporary worker arrivals in 2027. The worker target includes 170,000 people under the International Mobility Program and 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. These targets exclude several groups already living in Canada, including people extending existing permits.