Canada Unveils 2026-2028 Immigration Plan, Prioritizing Economic Growth and Stabilization

Canada Sets Stable Immigration Targets for 2026-2028

Ottawa, Canada – Canada has officially unveiled its Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028, outlining a strategic shift towards stabilizing permanent resident admissions while significantly reducing the intake of temporary residents. The plan, released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, confirms a consistent annual target of 380,000 new permanent residents for each of the three years. This move signals a deliberate policy shift from aggressive expansion to a phase of stabilization, aiming to better align immigration levels with the country's housing, healthcare, and labor market capacities.

Permanent Residency Focus on Economic Streams

The new plan places a strong emphasis on economic immigration, which will constitute the largest proportion of admissions. The targets for the economic category are set at 239,800 in 2026, increasing to 244,700 in both 2027 and 2028. This represents approximately 64% of all permanent resident admissions by 2027 and 2028, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing labor shortages and attracting global talent.

Other categories for permanent residents include:

• Family Reunification: Targets are set at 84,000 in 2026, slightly decreasing to 81,000 in 2027 and 2028. This category will maintain a relatively stable proportion of admissions, between 21.3% and 22.1%.
• Refugees and Protected Persons/Humanitarian: Admissions in this category will be reduced to 56,200 in 2026, and further to 54,300 in 2027 and 2028.

Significant Reduction in Temporary Resident Intake

A key feature of the 2026-2028 plan is a substantial reduction in the number of temporary residents entering Canada. The government aims to decrease the overall temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.

Specific reductions include:

• Student Visas: The number of new student visas will be cut by nearly half, from approximately 306,000 in the previous plan to 155,000 in 2026, and then to 150,000 annually in 2027 and 2028.
• Temporary Workers: Targets for new temporary worker arrivals are set at 230,000 in 2026, a significant decrease from nearly 368,000 in 2025.

Overall targets for new temporary resident arrivals are 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028.

New Pathways and Francophone Immigration Goals

The plan also introduces initiatives to facilitate the transition of existing temporary residents to permanent status. A new program will allow up to 33,000 work permit holders to gain permanent residency by 2027, recognizing their contributions to the Canadian economy and communities.

Furthermore, Canada is reinforcing its commitment to Francophone minority communities by increasing the target for Francophone admissions outside Quebec, aiming to reach 10.5% by 2028.

This comprehensive plan reflects the government's strategy to manage population growth responsibly, support labor market needs, and ensure the long-term sustainability and integration of newcomers into Canadian society.