The 2026 PR admissions targets remain largely unchanged, but with notable reallocation:
|
Category |
2025 Target |
2026 Target (New Plan) |
Change |
|
Total Permanent Residents |
380,000 |
380,000 |
— |
|
Economic Immigration |
229,750 |
239,800 |
↑ +10,050 |
|
Family Reunification |
88,000 |
84,000 |
↓ –4,000 |
|
Refugee & Humanitarian |
62,250 |
56,200 |
↓ –6,050 |
The economic category — which includes Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs — now represents nearly two-thirds (64%) of total PR admissions.
Context: What Is the Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan sets out yearly and notional targets for permanent and temporary residents over a three-year period.
- Firm targets apply to the upcoming year.
- Notional targets for the next two years may be revised in future plans.
Last year’s Plan (2025–2027) was the first to include temporary resident targets, and it also reduced the overall permanent resident goal by 20% from the 2024–2026 plan (down from 500,000 per year).
Projected Immigration Targets for 2027–2028
|
Year |
Permanent Residents |
Temporary Residents |
Foreign Workers |
International Students |
|
2027 |
380,000 |
370,000 |
220,000 |
150,000 |
|
2028 |
380,000 |
370,000 |
220,000 |
150,000 |
Compared to last year’s plan, these figures mark a significant decrease in overall temporary resident admissions, particularly in the international student category (down from 305,900 per year).
What This Means for Applicants
The 2026–2028 Plan signals a pivot toward stability and long-term integration. Rather than increasing new temporary entries, the government is focusing on transitioning existing temporary residents to PR — especially work permit holders contributing to essential sectors.
For international students and employers, this means fewer temporary permits available — but potentially more permanent immigration opportunities for those already in Canada.
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