The Government of Canada has released details of its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, as announced in Budget 2025. The plan outlines a new approach to managing permanent and temporary resident admissions with the goal of maintaining a sustainable and predictable immigration system.

Overview

Throughout its history, Canada has welcomed people from around the world, including those fleeing persecution and conflict, those seeking to study or work, and those contributing to economic growth and innovation.

The Government has acknowledged that, in recent years, the volume of arrivals—particularly temporary residents—has exceeded Canada’s capacity to provide housing, healthcare, and educational support. In response, the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan establishes new annual targets and priorities.

Key Adjustments

• Permanent Resident Admissions:
  Stabilised at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028, down from 395,000 in 2025.
  • The share of economic immigrants will rise from 59% to 64% of total admissions.
  • Permanent resident admissions will remain under 1% of the population beyond 2027.
• Temporary Resident Admissions:
  Reduced from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026, and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028.
  • These measures aim to reduce the total number of temporary residents to below 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027.

Temporary Resident Admissions (Projected)

Year	Total (Range)	Workers	Students
2026	385,000 (375,000–395,000)	230,000	155,000
2027	370,000 (360,000–380,000)	220,000	150,000
2028	370,000 (360,000–380,000)	220,000	150,000

Definitions:

• Workers include new work permits issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP), including those issued under humanitarian public policies.
• Students include new study permits for foreign nationals studying six months or more at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Permanent Resident Admissions (Projected)

Year	Total (Range)	Economic	Family	Refugee & Humanitarian	Francophone Outside Quebec
2026	380,000 (350,000–420,000)	239,800	84,000	56,200	9% (≈30,267)
2027	380,000 (350,000–420,000)	244,700	81,000	54,300	9.5% (≈31,825)
2028	380,000 (350,000–420,000)	244,700	81,000	54,300	10.5% (≈35,175)

Notes:

• Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec is responsible for the selection of economic immigrants destined for the province.
• Economic immigration ranges are projected at 224,000–268,000 annually through 2028.
• Family reunification targets range between 75,000–92,000 annually.
• Refugees, Protected Persons, Humanitarian and Compassionate, and Other categories range between 46,000–64,000 annually.

One-Time and Transitional Measures

• Protected Persons:
  A one-time initiative will recognise eligible Protected Persons in Canada as permanent residents over two years. The measure will support those unable to return to their country of origin and expedite their integration and path to citizenship.
  • Estimated cost: $120.4 million over four years (starting 2026–27).
• Work Permit Holders:
  Up to 33,000 work-permit holders will be transitioned to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.
  • Estimated cost: $19.4 million over four years (starting 2026–27).
• Fiscal Impact:
  The reduction in temporary resident admissions will result in a net cost of $168.2 million over four years, primarily due to reduced fee revenues.

Additional Considerations

• The plan recognises the ongoing need for temporary foreign workers in certain industries and rural or remote regions affected by tariffs and labour shortages.
• The share of economic migrants will increase to ensure that immigration continues to contribute to Canada’s labour-market needs and competitiveness.
• The Government has reported early indicators of reduced volumes in temporary streams:
  • Asylum claims down by one-third.
  • Temporary foreign worker arrivals down by approximately 50%.
  • New international student arrivals down by approximately 60% compared to 2024.

Next Steps

Further implementation details will be provided when the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tables the 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.

Summary

The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan focuses on stabilising permanent resident admissions, reducing temporary resident volumes, and increasing the proportion of economic immigration. The plan maintains provisions for humanitarian and family categories while introducing specific one-time measures for protected persons and work-permit holders.