On This Page You Will Find
- An overview of Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
- Temporary resident targets for workers and students
- Permanent resident admission targets by immigration category
- Key changes to Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program and family sponsorship
- One-time measures for protected persons and temporary workers
- What the plan means for prospective immigrants
- Frequently asked questions
Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan marks a significant shift in the country’s immigration strategy, moving away from years of rapid expansion towards a greater emphasis on sustainability.
The federal government plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026, 2027 and 2028, while continuing efforts to reduce the number of temporary residents. The strategy is designed to ease pressure on housing, public infrastructure and services, while ensuring immigration continues to support Canada’s long-term economic and labour market needs.
Rather than focusing solely on higher immigration numbers, the plan prioritises better management of the overall immigration system. It maintains strong support for economic immigration, family reunification and humanitarian commitments, while introducing measures to slow growth in the temporary resident population.
Major Reduction In Temporary Residents
A central objective of the plan is to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population to below five per cent of the total population by the end of 2027.
To achieve that goal, the federal government is significantly reducing new admissions of temporary foreign workers and international students through tighter eligibility rules, revised program requirements and lower intake targets.
The reductions affect Canada’s major temporary residence pathways, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the International Mobility Program and the international student program, reflecting the government’s broader effort to bring immigration levels onto a more sustainable footing.
Temporary Resident Admissions Targets (2026–2028)
| Category | 2026 Target | 2027 Target | 2028 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Temporary Residents | 385,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
| Workers (Total) | 230,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International Mobility Program (IMP) | 170,000 | 170,000 | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) | 60,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Students | 155,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Key Points:
- The total number of new temporary residents will fall from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026 – a 43 per cent year-over-year decrease.
- The number of new study permits will drop by nearly half, signalling a major shift in the management of international education.
- The TFW Program will see the sharpest proportional decline, with a 17 per cent reduction between 2026 and 2027.
- Post-Graduation Work Permits are not included, as IRCC counts them as changes of status rather than new arrivals.
IRCC says these reductions will “restore control and predictability” while targeting labour and study programs to areas where they are most needed – including industries affected by tariffs and regions struggling with worker shortages.
Critics, however, caution that such cuts could deepen labour gaps in sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction, and elder care, where reliance on temporary workers is significant.
Permanent Resident Admissions: Stability and Strategic Focus
While temporary immigration is being scaled back, permanent resident admissions will remain steady at 380,000 annually between 2026 and 2028. The focus shifts from quantity to quality, with a growing share of economic immigrants and a stronger regional approach through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Permanent Resident Admissions Targets (2026–2028)
| Immigration Category | 2026 Target | 2027 Target | 2028 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Permanent Residents | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| Economic Class | 239,800 | 244,700 | 244,700 |
| Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) | 109,000 | 111,000 | 111,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 91,500 | 92,500 | 92,500 |
| Federal Business (SUV, Self-Employed) | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Economic Pilots (Caregiver, Agri-Food, Community, EMPP) | 8,175 | 8,775 | 8,775 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Family Reunification | 84,000 | 81,000 | 81,000 |
| Spouses, Partners & Children | 69,000 | 66,000 | 66,000 |
| Parents & Grandparents | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Refugees & Protected Persons | 49,300 | 49,300 | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 6,900 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| French-speaking Outside Quebec | 9% (30,267) | 9.5% (31,825) | 10.5% (35,175) |
Highlights:
- Economic admissions make up 64 per cent of the total by 2027–2028, driven by Express Entry and PNP allocations.
- Family class stays stable at around 21–22 per cent, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to reunification.
- Humanitarian and refugee programs remain strong at 13 per cent of admissions, keeping Canada a global leader in protection and resettlement.
- Francophone immigration targets outside Quebec rise to 10.5 per cent by 2028, advancing the federal goal of 12 per cent by 2029.
Economic Immigration
The economic class remains the cornerstone of Canada’s immigration system. Annual admissions will rise from 239,800 in 2026 to 244,700 in 2027 and 2028, ensuring a consistent supply of skilled talent aligned with labour market needs.
Federal High Skilled (Express Entry)
Targets: 109,000 in 2026; 111,000 in 2027 and 2028.
This category includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class – all managed through Express Entry. It is Canada’s primary tool for attracting skilled professionals in demand across multiple sectors, including health care, technology, and trades.
The ranges (85,000–122,000) provide flexibility for adjustments based on labour market data and regional priorities.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Targets: 91,500 in 2026; 92,500 in 2027 and 2028.
The PNP continues to grow as Canada’s most regionally responsive program. It allows provinces and territories to nominate immigrants with skills that fit their local economies, such as health care workers in Atlantic Canada or construction professionals in Alberta.
Federal Business (Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons)
Targets: 500 admissions per year, with a range of 250–1,000.
This stream focuses on entrepreneurs who can launch innovative businesses and contribute to Canada’s competitiveness. While modest in scale, the federal business category plays a key role in fostering innovation-driven economic growth.
Economic Pilots (Caregiver, Agri-Food, Community, and Economic Mobility Pathways)
Targets: 8,175 in 2026; 8,775 in 2027 and 2028.
These pilot programs target specific needs:
- Caregiver pilots address home care and child care shortages.
- Agri-Food pilots support the agricultural and food processing industries.
- Community Immigration pilots help smaller towns and rural areas attract and retain newcomers.
- The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot connects refugees with employers seeking skilled workers.
Atlantic Immigration Program
Targets: 4,000 per year, with a range of 3,000–5,000.
This program continues to strengthen population and labour growth in Atlantic provinces such as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where immigration is essential to demographic renewal.
Quebec Skilled Workers and Business
Figures are to be determined, as Quebec sets its own annual immigration plan under the Canada–Quebec Accord. Quebec remains responsible for selecting its economic immigrants independently.
Family Reunification
The family class remains central to Canada’s immigration policy, promoting social cohesion and long-term settlement success.
Spouses, Partners, and Children
Targets: 69,000 in 2026; 66,000 in 2027 and 2028.
This stream enables Canadians and permanent residents to reunite with their immediate family members. Stable targets reflect IRCC’s goal to maintain consistent processing and prevent backlogs.
Parents and Grandparents
Targets: 15,000 annually, within a range of 13,000–19,000.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows family sponsorship of older relatives, providing emotional and practical support for newcomers. While demand for this program remains high, the government is managing intake to balance fairness with processing capacity.
Overall, family admissions will total 84,000 in 2026, falling slightly to 81,000 in 2027 and 2028, representing roughly 21–22 per cent of total immigration.
Refugees and Protected Persons
Canada continues to uphold its humanitarian commitments, maintaining annual refugee and protected person admissions at 49,300 per year from 2026 through 2028. This accounts for approximately 13 per cent of total immigration.
Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad
Targets: 20,000 annually, within a range of 17,000–30,000.
This category includes individuals granted refugee protection in Canada and their eligible family members abroad.
Resettled Refugees – Government Assisted
Targets: 13,250 per year, within a range of 10,000–15,500.
This long-standing program resettles vulnerable refugees identified by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other partners.
Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office Referred
Targets: 50 annually.
A partnership between the government and private sponsors, this stream assists refugees whose cases are jointly supported by both parties.
Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored
Targets: 16,000 annually.
This program empowers community groups and organisations to sponsor refugees directly. Private sponsorship remains one of Canada’s most recognised humanitarian initiatives, often resulting in strong community integration.
Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other
Beyond traditional refugee and family categories, Canada allocates spaces for humanitarian and compassionate admissions to respond to exceptional global and domestic situations.
Targets: 6,900 in 2026, falling to 5,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
This stream covers individuals already in Canada who would face hardship if required to leave. Typical cases involve people with strong family or community ties but no formal pathway to permanent residence.
Other Humanitarian Programs
These admissions (ranging from 4,000–8,000 in 2026) include responses to specific crises, such as those in Ukraine, Sudan, and Hong Kong. The government retains flexibility to increase numbers if new humanitarian situations arise.
One-Time Initiatives: Recalibrating the System
In addition to the baseline targets, IRCC has announced two major one-time measures to regularise existing residents and support integration:
- Regularising 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada
- Over two years, IRCC will grant permanent status to approximately 115,000 individuals who already have protected person status.
- These individuals are not considered temporary residents but are unable to return home due to conflict or persecution.
- The initiative will expedite their path to full integration and citizenship while fulfilling Canada’s humanitarian obligations.
- Transitioning 33,000 Temporary Workers to Permanent Status
- A second one-time initiative will grant permanent residency to up to 33,000 work permit holders in 2026 and 2027.
- It targets workers who have “established strong roots”, pay taxes, and contribute meaningfully to their local economies.
Shrinking the Temporary Population
The government has committed to reducing Canada’s temporary resident population to less than 5 per cent of the total population by the end of 2027. To help manage this transition, the plan also includes measures to grant permanent residence to some temporary residents already in Canada — recognising the students and workers who are already contributing and settled.
What It Means for Applicants
For prospective immigrants, the message is twofold. Permanent residence remains open, but competition is steady rather than expanding, so a strong profile matters more than ever — particularly in the economic class. Temporary pathways (study and work permits) are tighter, and applicants should plan carefully and expect more selective criteria. Those already in Canada may benefit from measures aimed at transitioning temporary residents to permanent residence. For a broader look at the year ahead, see our guide on what to expect from Canada immigration and the ways to immigrate to Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Canada’s permanent immigration targets for 2026 – 2028?
Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents each year in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The majority of admissions will continue to come through economic immigration programs, with family reunification and humanitarian commitments remaining important parts of the overall plan.
Why is Canada reducing temporary resident admissions?
The federal government wants to reduce pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services while bringing the temporary resident population below five per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027. The plan significantly lowers new admissions for temporary foreign workers and international students.
Which immigration programs receive the largest share of permanent resident spaces?
Economic immigration remains Canada’s priority. Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program receive the largest allocations, supported by regional initiatives such as the Atlantic Immigration Program and community immigration pilots. Family sponsorship and refugee programs also maintain substantial annual targets.
Will the plan help temporary residents already in Canada?
Yes. Alongside lower temporary resident admissions, the government has announced one-time measures to grant permanent residence to some protected persons and established temporary workers already living in Canada. These initiatives are intended to support integration while reducing reliance on new temporary arrivals.
What does the 2026 – 2028 Immigration Levels Plan mean for future applicants?
Permanent residence opportunities remain available, but competition is expected to remain strong because overall admission levels are stable rather than increasing. At the same time, applicants for study permits and work permits should expect tighter eligibility rules and more targeted selection as Canada shifts towards a more controlled immigration system.