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Explore PR OptionsAbout Canadian Immigration Plan
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released supplementary details for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan (Levels Plan), a comprehensive strategy outlining targets and ranges for both temporary and permanent residents. This approach ensures Canada's immigration system supports economic growth, humanitarian values, and long-term sustainability while welcoming temporary residents and permanent immigrants over the next three years.
This year's plan emphasizes a balanced approach: gradually reducing temporary resident arrivals while stabilizing permanent resident admissions. By prioritizing skilled economic immigrants, family reunification, and refugee resettlement, we aim to attract global talent, address labor shortages, and uphold Canada's reputation as a welcoming nation.
Returning to Sustainable Immigration Levels
To foster sustainable growth, the Government of Canada is targeting a reduction in the temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. This includes:
New Temporary Resident Arrivals:
- In year 2026: 385,000
- In year 2027: 370,000
- In year 2028: 370,000
These targets focus on new international students and temporary foreign workers, distributed across the International Mobility Program (IMP) and Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. This blend of talent helps drive Canada's economy by filling critical gaps in high-demand sectors.
Stabilizing Permanent Resident Admissions
Permanent resident admissions will remain steady at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028, with a strong emphasis on economic priorities. Here's a breakdown by category:
| Category | Proportion (2026) | Proportion (2027) | Proportion (2028) | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | ~62% | 64% | 64% | Attracting top global talent for nation-building projects and provincial labor needs. |
| Family | 22.1% | 21.3% | 21.3% | Supporting reunification as a core Canadian value. |
| Refugees & Protected Persons | 13% | 13% | 13% | Maintaining leadership in global resettlement. |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate / Other | ~2.9% | ~1.7% | ~1.7% | Fulfilling international commitments. |
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan reflects a balanced and forward-looking approach to nation building by aligning economic growth, social cohesion, and humanitarian responsibility. Economic immigration continues to form the backbone of the plan, with higher targets under programs such as the Federal High Skilled streams and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to address labour shortages in high-demand occupations across provinces and territories. At the same time, Canada is strengthening Francophone minority communities outside Quebec by steadily increasing Francophone admissions, targeting 10.5% by 2028 and working toward a longer-term goal of 12% by 2029. Family reunification remains a core priority, with family-class admissions maintained at approximately 21–22%, while Canada’s global humanitarian leadership is reinforced through consistent allocations for refugees, protected persons, and urgent humanitarian and compassionate cases. Complementing these core targets, the Government is also introducing targeted one-time initiatives between 2026 and 2027 to restore sustainability to the immigration system by fast-tracking permanent residence for protected persons already in Canada and for select temporary foreign workers who have demonstrated strong community ties, steady economic contributions, and long-term integration. Together, these measures ensure that Canada’s immigration system remains fair, efficient, and inclusive—welcoming skilled talent, reuniting families, protecting the vulnerable, and recognizing those who are already helping build the country’s future.
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2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
Temporary Residents
| 2026 | 20271 | 2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Arrivals | 385,000 (375,000 – 395,000) |
370,000 (360,000 – 380,000) |
370,000 (360,000 – 380,000) |
| Workers (Total) | 230,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International Mobility Program | 170,000 | 170,000 | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program | 60,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Students | 155,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Permanent Residents
| Immigrant Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | |
| Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions | 380,000 (350,000 – 420,000)3 | 380,000 (350,000 – 420,000) | 380,000 (350,000 – 420,000) | ||||||
| Overall French-speaking Permanent Resident Admissions outside Quebec4 | 9% (30,267) | 9.5% (31,825) | 10.5% (35,175) | ||||||
| Economic | |||||||||
| Federal High Skilled5 | 109,000 | 85,000 | 120,000 | 111,000 | 86,000 | 122,000 | 111,000 | 86,000 | 122,000 |
| Federal Business6 | 500 | 250 | 1,000 | 500 | 250 | 1,000 | 500 | 250 | 1,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots: Caregivers7; Agri-Food; Community Immigration Pilots8; Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot | 8,175 | 5,000 | 11,800 | 8,775 | 6,600 | 12,400 | 8,775 | 6,600 | 12,400 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 91,500 | 82,000 | 105,000 | 92,500 | 82,000 | 106,000 | 92,500 | 82,000 | 106,000 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business9 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Total Economic | 239,800 (224,000 – 264,000) | 244,700 (229,000 – 268,000) | 244,700 (229,000 – 268,000) | ||||||
| Family | |||||||||
| Spouses, Partners and Children | 69,000 | 63,000 | 75,000 | 66,000 | 60,000 | 71,000 | 66,000 | 60,000 | 71,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 15,000 | 13,000 | 19,000 | 15,000 | 13,000 | 19,000 | 15,000 | 13,000 | 19,000 |
| Total Family | 84,000 (78,500 – 92,000) | 81,000 (75,000 – 90,000) | 81,000 (75,000 – 90,000) | ||||||
| Refugees and Protected Persons | |||||||||
| Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 20,000 | 17,000 | 30,000 | 20,000 | 17,000 | 30,000 | 20,000 | 17,000 | 30,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Government Assisted10 | 13,250 | 10,000 | 15,500 | 13,250 | 10,000 | 15,500 | 13,250 | 10,000 | 15,500 |
| Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office Referred | 50 - 100 | 50 - 100 | 50 - 100 | 50 - 100 | 50 - 100 | 50 - 100 | |||
| Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored | 16,000 | 13,000 | 19,000 | 16,000 | 13,000 | 18,000 | 16,000 | 13,000 | 18,000 |
| Total Refugees and Protected Persons | 49,300 (42,000 – 55,000) | 49,300 (42,000 – 55,000) | 49,300 (42,000 – 55,000) | ||||||
| Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | |||||||||
| Humanitarian and Compassionate11 | 1,100 | 1,000 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 700 | 2,900 | 1,000 | 700 | 2,900 |
| Other12 | 5,800 | 4,500 | 8,000 | 4,000 | 3,200 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 3,200 | 6,000 |
| Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 6,900 (6,000 – 9,000) | 5,000 (4,000 – 7,000) | 5,000 (4,000 – 7,000) | ||||||
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Important Faq's
The Immigration Levels Plan outlines the number of new permanent residents Canada aims to admit each year. It provides targets for different immigration categories such as Economic Immigration, Family Reunification, Refugees, and Humanitarian cases. The plan helps the government manage population growth, meet labor market needs, and uphold humanitarian commitments.
Canada's Immigration Levels Plan focuses on several key categories:
- Economic Immigration: Includes programs like the Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, and Federal Business programs.
- Family Sponsorship: For spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents.
- Refugees and Protected Persons: Includes resettled refugees and protected persons seeking asylum in Canada.
- Humanitarian & Other: Covers compassionate cases and special public policies.
Immigration targets are determined based on various factors, including labor market demands, population aging, and Canada's economic needs. The government also considers humanitarian obligations, ensuring a balance between economic growth and helping vulnerable populations such as refugees. Targets are set annually and updated to adapt to changing conditions.
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