Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: What Newcomers Need to Know

The Government of Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028 sets the targets for how many permanent residents Canada intends to admit each year. This plan, tabled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), represents a significant shift from the aggressive growth targets of earlier years, reflecting the government's stated goal of managing immigration more carefully in response to housing affordability, infrastructure capacity, and labour market conditions.

Key Targets at a Glance

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan establishes the following permanent resident admission targets:

• 2026: 380,000 permanent residents
• 2027: 365,000 permanent residents
• 2028: 355,000 permanent residents

These targets represent a deliberate reduction from the 2024 levels, when Canada admitted approximately 485,000 permanent residents. The downward trajectory signals a shift toward what IRCC describes as a more sustainable pace of permanent immigration growth.

How the Targets Break Down by Program

Canada's immigration system admits permanent residents through three main categories. The 2026 targets are approximately:

Economic Immigration (Approximately 60% of Total)

Economic programs are designed to attract workers and entrepreneurs who contribute to Canada's economy. For 2026, the economic category is expected to account for the largest share of admissions, including:

• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades): The core programs for skilled worker immigration. Express Entry remains the primary pathway for skilled immigrants with strong language skills, education, and work experience.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Provinces and territories nominate immigrants who meet local labour market needs. PNP allocations remain significant, supporting regional immigration distribution.
• Atlantic Immigration Program: Employer-driven immigration for the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot / Successor Programs: Programs targeting immigration to smaller communities outside major urban centres.
• Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Programs: For entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals.

Family Reunification (Approximately 25% of Total)

Family class immigration allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members:

• Spouses, partners, and children: The largest family category. Processing times for spousal sponsorship have been a focus for IRCC.
• Parents and grandparents: The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and Super Visa provide pathways for family reunification with older generations.

Refugees and Protected Persons (Approximately 15% of Total)

Canada maintains commitments to refugee resettlement and protected persons:

• Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR): Refugees selected overseas with government support.
• Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR): Refugees sponsored by private organizations and community groups.
• Protected Persons in Canada: Individuals who receive refugee protection after claiming asylum within Canada.

Why the Targets Are Declining

The Government of Canada has stated several reasons for the reduced targets:

Housing and Infrastructure Pressures

The government has acknowledged that rapid population growth, driven partly by high immigration levels, has contributed to housing affordability challenges and strain on infrastructure including healthcare, transportation, and social services. The lower targets are intended to allow infrastructure to catch up with demand.

Temporary Resident Population

Canada's temporary resident population (international students, temporary foreign workers, and visitors) grew significantly in 2022-2024. Reducing both temporary and permanent admission levels is part of a broader strategy to manage total population growth more carefully.

Labour Market Adjustments

While Canada continues to experience labour shortages in certain sectors (healthcare, skilled trades, technology), the broader labour market has softened from the post-pandemic highs. The government aims to better align immigration targets with current labour market conditions.

Public Confidence

The government has stated its intention to maintain public confidence in the immigration system by ensuring that growth is manageable and that settlement and integration supports are adequate for newcomers.

What This Means for Prospective Immigrants

Express Entry Applicants

Express Entry will continue to be the primary pathway for skilled immigrants. However, with reduced targets, competition for invitations to apply (ITAs) may increase. Key considerations:

• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores: Minimum CRS scores for general Express Entry draws may remain elevated. Candidates should focus on maximizing their CRS score through language testing, education credentials, and Canadian work experience.
• Category-based draws: IRCC has introduced category-based Express Entry draws targeting specific occupations (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, French-language proficiency). These draws invite candidates who meet specific criteria regardless of their overall CRS score, though minimum thresholds still apply.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants

PNP remains a strong pathway, particularly for those with job offers from employers in specific provinces. Each province and territory operates its own streams with distinct eligibility requirements. PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points in Express Entry, effectively guaranteeing an invitation.

Family Sponsorship Applicants

Family reunification targets remain a significant component of the plan. Spousal and partner sponsorship continues to be processed, and IRCC has stated its intention to manage processing times. The Parents and Grandparents Program intake capacity will depend on the annual allocation.

Refugee Applicants

Canada maintains its humanitarian commitments, though the overall numbers in the refugee and protected persons category will adjust with the plan.

Processing Times and Application Strategies

IRCC publishes processing time estimates on its website at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Processing times vary by program and have been a source of frustration for applicants. Key points:

• Express Entry: IRCC's service standard is 6 months for most Express Entry applications, though actual times can vary.
• Spousal Sponsorship: IRCC has been working to reduce processing times, with a target of 12 months for most applications.
• PNP: Processing times include both the provincial nomination phase and the federal permanent residence application.

Strategies for Applicants

• Improve language scores: Higher IELTS or CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French) scores have the single largest impact on CRS points. Consider retaking language tests if your scores are not at the CLB 9+ level.
• Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Ensure your foreign education is assessed by a designated organization for immigration purposes.
• Consider French: French language proficiency provides CRS points and opens eligibility for French-language category-based draws and Francophone immigration programs.
• Explore PNP pathways: If you have skills in demand in a particular province, a PNP nomination can significantly strengthen your application.
• Gain Canadian experience: Canadian work experience (through a work permit) and Canadian education both provide CRS advantages.

What Comes Next

The Immigration Levels Plan is reviewed and updated annually. Future plans will depend on economic conditions, housing supply progress, infrastructure development, and public policy priorities. The government has indicated it will monitor outcomes and adjust as needed.

For the most current information, prospective immigrants should consult the official IRCC website at canada.ca/immigration and monitor official announcements regarding draw invitations, program changes, and processing updates.

Key Official Resources

• IRCC Immigration Levels Plan: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels.html
• Express Entry: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html
• Provincial Nominee Programs: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html
• Processing Times: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
• CRS Calculator: ircc.canada.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp