Canada’s immigration system is entering a period of recalibration. Under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government is sharply reducing new temporary arrivals while keeping permanent immigration stable. The result is a clearer hierarchy of priorities – and a much clearer sense of who will be at the front of the queue in 2026.
On this page you will find
- An overview of Canada’s immigration priorities for 2026
- Which economic immigrants move to the front of the queue
- Why healthcare workers and trades dominate selection
- How provinces and French-language skills affect priority
- Who faces longer waits under the new system
A system refocused on permanent immigration
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will admit 380,000 permanent residents per year from 2026 to 2028. Within that stable overall number, economic immigrants move firmly to the front, followed by family reunification and humanitarian admissions.
At the same time, new temporary resident arrivals will fall by more than 40 per cent compared with 2025. This shift changes the competitive landscape for anyone hoping to move to Canada.
What matters most in 2026 is not short-term entry, but clear alignment with Canada’s long-term labour market and settlement goals.
Economic immigrants move to the front of the line
Economic immigration will account for roughly 64 per cent of all permanent resident admissions by 2027 and 2028. In practical terms, this means skilled workers with in-demand experience will see the fastest pathways.
The main groups at the front of the queue include:
- Express Entry candidates in targeted occupations
- Provincial Nominee Program applicants with strong regional ties
- Skilled workers already in Canada with Canadian work experience
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary high-skilled selection tool, with targets of 109,000 admissions in 2026, rising to 111,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Within Express Entry, category-based draws matter more than ever.
Healthcare workers – especially physicians – lead priority groups
Healthcare remains Canada’s single biggest immigration priority.
For 2026, IRCC has expanded occupation-specific Express Entry draws and introduced a new physician-focused category for doctors with Canadian work experience. This places healthcare professionals firmly at the front of the queue.
Priority healthcare occupations include:
- Registered nurses and nurse practitioners
- Licensed practical nurses and nurse aides
- Medical laboratory technologists and assistants
- Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists
- Paramedics and respiratory therapists
- Physicians with recent Canadian work experience
The new physician category allows IRCC and provinces to select general practitioners and specialists who are already practising in Canada, directly addressing critical shortages.
Trades workers remain essential
Skilled trades continue to benefit from strong demand linked to housing construction, infrastructure renewal, and industrial development.
Trades workers with experience in areas such as plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, welding, and HVAC systems remain well positioned, particularly when combined with:
- A job offer
- Provincial nomination
- Canadian work experience
Construction managers, estimators, and supervisors also remain in demand, reflecting Canada’s long-term building needs.
Provincial nominees gain a stronger position
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will account for more than 90,000 admissions per year by 2026, making it one of the fastest routes to permanent residence.
Applicants move to the front of the queue if they:
- Match a province’s specific labour shortages
- Have a job offer or local work experience
- Are willing to settle outside major urban centres
Provinces use the PNP to target healthcare workers, tradespeople, and other regionally critical occupations, often with faster processing and lower CRS thresholds than federal draws.
Francophone applicants outside Quebec rise in priority
Francophone immigration outside Quebec continues to grow. Targets rise from 9 per cent of permanent admissions in 2026 to 10.5 per cent by 2028.
French-speaking candidates with skills in healthcare, education, trades, and community services benefit from:
- Dedicated Express Entry draws
- Enhanced PNP streams
- Lower CRS cut-offs in some cases
For bilingual applicants, French language ability can now be a decisive advantage.
Workers already in Canada move ahead
One of the clearest messages in the 2026 plan is that Canada wants to retain people who are already contributing.
Two one-time initiatives reinforce this direction:
- Regularisation of 115,000 protected persons already in Canada
- Transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence
Temporary workers with stable employment, tax history, and community ties will be favoured over new overseas applicants in many streams.
Family reunification remains steady but selective
Family sponsorship continues to represent about 21-22 per cent of permanent admissions.
At the front of the queue within family immigration are:
- Spouses and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- Parents and grandparents selected through managed intake
While targets remain stable, intake limits and lotteries mean family streams are predictable but competitive.
Who moves back in the queue?
The biggest shift in 2026 is who moves further back:
- International students face much tighter intake caps
- Low-wage temporary foreign workers see reduced pathways
- Occupations not aligned with Express Entry or PNP priorities face longer timelines
Temporary status alone no longer places applicants near the front unless it leads clearly to permanent residence.
A more selective but predictable system
Canada’s 2026 immigration queue is shorter, clearer, and more selective.
Those at the front share common traits – skills in priority sectors, Canadian work experience, regional ties, and long-term settlement potential. For applicants who meet these criteria, pathways remain strong. For others, competition will be tougher and timelines longer.
Canada’s Immigration Priorities: Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the highest priority for Canada immigration in 2026?
Economic immigrants lead the queue, especially healthcare workers, skilled tradespeople, provincial nominees, and Express Entry candidates in targeted occupations. Applicants with Canadian work experience are strongly favoured.
Are international students still a priority for permanent residence?
International students face tighter study permit caps, but graduates with Canadian work experience can still move quickly to permanent residence through Express Entry or provincial nomination pathways.
Why are healthcare workers prioritised so strongly?
Canada faces persistent shortages across healthcare. The 2026 plan expands targeted Express Entry draws and introduces a physician-specific category to address gaps in hospitals and community care.
How important is the Provincial Nominee Program in 2026?
The PNP is central to Canada’s strategy. It allows provinces to select immigrants for local labour needs and often provides faster and more accessible routes than federal programs alone.
Will family sponsorship be affected by the new plan?
Family reunification remains stable, but intake limits and managed selection mean applicants should expect steady processing rather than expansion, particularly for parents and grandparents.
