Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Plan: What You Need to Know
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking details on permanent resident admission caps for 2026-2028
- Express Entry program changes that could boost your chances
- Provincial Nominee Program shifts affecting all provinces
- New temporary worker restrictions in high-unemployment regions
- Francophone immigration targets rising to 12% by 2029
Summary:
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, releasing by November 1, 2025, will reshape immigration for millions of hopeful newcomers. With permanent resident admissions capped at 416,500 annually and temporary residents facing stricter limits, competition is intensifying. However, Express Entry targets are actually increasing, and provinces are successfully negotiating higher Provincial Nominee allocations. The plan prioritizes French-speaking immigrants and maintains steady international student caps at 305,900. Understanding these changes now gives you a crucial advantage in planning your Canadian immigration journey.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Permanent resident admissions will stay below 416,500 (1% of Canada's population)
- Express Entry targets increased to 124,680 for 2025, up from 117,500 previously
- Provincial Nominee Program cuts were reduced to 55,000 but provinces are negotiating increases
- Francophone immigration targets will reach 12% by 2029 under current government promises
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program faces major restrictions in regions with 6%+ unemployment
Maria Santos refreshed her browser for the hundredth time, waiting for Canada's immigration announcement. Like thousands of skilled workers worldwide, she knew the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan would determine whether her dream of Canadian permanent residence remained achievable or became nearly impossible.
If you're planning your Canadian immigration journey, this upcoming plan will directly impact your timeline, program options, and success probability. Here's everything you need to know about the changes coming in Canada's most significant immigration policy update.
What's Changing with Permanent Resident Admissions
The federal government has committed to a clear mathematical ceiling: permanent resident admissions cannot exceed 1% of Canada's total population annually. With Canada's population at 41.65 million as of July 2025, this means a maximum of 416,500 new permanent residents per year.
This represents a dramatic shift from previous ambitious targets. The government slashed 2025 targets by 20% compared to their 2023 plan, dropping from 500,000 to 395,000 admissions. The trend continues downward through 2027:
2025: 395,000 permanent residents
2026: 380,000 permanent residents
2027: 365,000 permanent residents
This stabilization approach reflects Canada's response to housing pressures and infrastructure strain in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. For applicants, it means increased competition but more predictable planning horizons.
Express Entry Gets a Surprising Boost
Here's where things get interesting for skilled workers. Despite overall immigration cuts, Express Entry allocations actually increased. The program restructured into two streams that, combined, offer more opportunities than before.
The new "Federal Economic Priorities" stream targets 41,700 admissions in 2025, focusing on in-demand occupations and French-speaking candidates. The "In-Canada Focus" stream allocates 82,980 spots for temporary residents already in Canada. Together, these total 124,680 Express Entry admissions—up from 117,500 under the previous "Federal High Skilled" category.
What this means for you: If you're already in Canada on a work or study permit, your pathway to permanent residence actually improved. The "In-Canada Focus" stream recognizes that you've already integrated into Canadian society and contributes to the economy.
For 2026 and 2027, Federal Economic Priorities allocations increase further to 47,400 and 47,800 respectively, while In-Canada Focus maintains substantial numbers at 75,830 and 70,930.
Provincial Nominee Programs Face Dramatic Cuts (But There's Hope)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) experienced the most severe reductions, dropping from 110,000 annual admissions in 2024 to just 55,000 for 2025-2027. This 50% cut initially devastated provincial immigration strategies.
However, provinces fought back successfully. British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick all negotiated increased allocations for 2025. On October 16, Immigration Minister Lena Diab met with provincial counterparts specifically to discuss expanding PNP spaces.
This provincial pushback suggests the 55,000 target may increase for 2026-2028. Provinces argue they understand their labor market needs better than federal officials and can integrate immigrants more effectively through targeted nomination programs.
If you're considering a PNP application, focus on provinces that have successfully advocated for increases. These jurisdictions demonstrate stronger political influence and commitment to immigration.
Temporary Worker Programs Under Siege
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) faces unprecedented restrictions that will reshape Canada's temporary immigration landscape. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a "focused approach" targeting only specific strategic sectors and regions.
Recent changes already implemented include:
- Regional moratoriums: No low-wage LMIA processing in areas with 6%+ unemployment
- Higher wage thresholds: Increased requirements for high-wage stream eligibility
- Workforce percentage caps: Lower limits on TFWP workers per employer
- Restricted spousal permits: Open work permits only for spouses of TEER 0-1 workers and select TEER 2-3 occupations
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has called for complete TFWP abolition, adding political pressure for further restrictions.
The 2025-2027 plan maintains TFWP admissions at 82,000 annually, but expect this number to face downward pressure in the 2026-2028 update. If you're considering temporary work in Canada, apply immediately before additional restrictions take effect.
International Students Hit Steady-State Caps
International student admissions stabilized at 305,900 annually through 2027, enforced through Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) required for study permit applications. This cap system, updated each January, gives provinces control over student distribution.
Unlike other immigration streams, international student targets show no increases planned. The government views current levels as appropriate for infrastructure capacity while maintaining Canada's position as a top study destination.
For prospective international students, this means consistent but competitive admission standards. Focus on programs with strong post-graduation work opportunities, as the "In-Canada Focus" Express Entry stream favors graduates already contributing to the Canadian economy.
Francophone Immigration Gets Priority Treatment
French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec represent Canada's fastest-growing immigration priority. Current targets increase from 8.5% in 2025 to 10% in 2027, but Carney's election promise pushes this to 12% by 2029.
IRCC demonstrates this commitment through:
- Category-based draws: Dedicated Express Entry rounds for French speakers
- Pilot programs: Francophone Community Immigration Pilot expansion
- Settlement support: Enhanced services for French-speaking newcomers
If you speak French, your immigration prospects improved significantly. Even basic French proficiency can provide substantial Express Entry points and access to dedicated immigration streams.
International Mobility Program Faces Steep Declines
The International Mobility Program, covering NAFTA professionals, intra-company transfers, and other exempt workers, faces dramatic reductions from 285,750 admissions in 2025 to 128,700 in 2026, before recovering slightly to 155,700 in 2027.
This decline reflects Canada's broader strategy to reduce temporary resident populations below 5% of total population by 2027. For multinational companies and professionals relying on these programs, expect increased scrutiny and longer processing times.
Strategic Implications for Your Immigration Plan
These changes create clear winners and losers in Canada's immigration system:
Advantage: French-speaking skilled workers, especially those already in Canada Advantage: Express Entry candidates with Canadian experience Advantage: Applicants in provinces successfully advocating for higher PNP allocations Disadvantage: Low-wage temporary workers in high-unemployment regions Disadvantage: International students seeking work-to-permanent residence pathways Disadvantage: Employers relying heavily on temporary foreign workers
Timeline Considerations
The 2026-2028 plan announcement by November 1, 2025, will trigger immediate application strategy adjustments. If current trends continue, expect:
- Express Entry draws to maintain frequency but require higher scores
- Provincial programs to become more competitive with fewer nominations
- Temporary worker applications to face additional restrictions
- French-language immigration streams to expand significantly
What This Means for Your Family's Future
Canada's immigration system is becoming more selective but also more predictable. The government's commitment to staying below 1% of population growth provides planning certainty, while program-specific increases in Express Entry offer hope for skilled workers.
The key to success lies in understanding which streams align with government priorities. French language skills, Canadian experience, and in-demand occupations represent your strongest advantages in this increasingly competitive landscape.
Start preparing now for the opportunities that match your profile. The 2026-2028 plan will set immigration policy for three crucial years—position yourself strategically before the announcement creates a rush of applications in your preferred stream.
FAQ
Q: What are the specific permanent resident admission targets for 2026-2028, and how do they compare to previous years?
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan caps permanent resident admissions at 416,500 annually (1% of Canada's population), but actual targets are significantly lower. For 2025-2027, admissions decrease from 395,000 to 380,000 to 365,000 respectively. This represents a dramatic 20% reduction from the original 2023 plan that targeted 500,000 admissions. The government implemented this mathematical ceiling in response to housing pressures and infrastructure strain in major cities. While 2028 specific targets aren't finalized, expect similar conservative numbers around 365,000-380,000. This stabilization approach means increased competition among applicants but provides more predictable planning horizons. The consistent downward trend reflects Canada's shift from rapid population growth to sustainable integration, making early application preparation crucial for success.
Q: How is the Express Entry system changing, and what does this mean for my application chances?
Surprisingly, Express Entry allocations increased despite overall immigration cuts. The program now operates through two streams totaling 124,680 admissions in 2025, up from 117,500 previously. The "Federal Economic Priorities" stream (41,700 spots) targets in-demand occupations and French speakers, while the "In-Canada Focus" stream (82,980 spots) prioritizes temporary residents already in Canada. For 2026-2027, Federal Economic Priorities increases to 47,400 and 47,800 respectively. This restructuring significantly benefits candidates already in Canada on work or study permits, as they're viewed as pre-integrated contributors. French-speaking applicants receive additional advantages through category-based draws. However, expect higher Comprehensive Ranking System scores due to increased competition. Your best strategy involves maximizing Canadian experience, French language skills, and targeting in-demand occupations before application volumes surge.
Q: What's happening with Provincial Nominee Programs, and which provinces offer the best opportunities?
The Provincial Nominee Program faced severe 50% cuts from 110,000 to 55,000 annual admissions for 2025-2027. However, several provinces successfully negotiated increases for 2025, including British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. Immigration Minister Lena Diab's October 16 meeting with provincial counterparts specifically addressed expanding PNP allocations, suggesting the 55,000 target may increase for 2026-2028. Provinces demonstrating successful advocacy show stronger political influence and immigration commitment. Focus your PNP applications on these provinces as they understand local labor market needs and can integrate immigrants more effectively. The provincial pushback indicates federal flexibility on PNP numbers, making strategic province selection crucial. Monitor announcements from provinces that have secured increases, as they're likely to maintain higher allocations in the 2026-2028 plan.
Q: How will the new temporary worker restrictions affect my ability to work in Canada?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program restrictions are unprecedented and target specific regions and sectors. Current changes include regional moratoriums in areas with 6%+ unemployment, higher wage thresholds, lower workforce percentage caps per employer, and restricted spousal work permits only for TEER 0-1 workers and select TEER 2-3 occupations. The 2025-2027 plan maintains 82,000 annual TFWP admissions, but expect downward pressure in the 2026-2028 update. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's calls for complete TFWP abolition add political pressure for further restrictions. The International Mobility Program faces dramatic cuts from 285,750 to 128,700 admissions between 2025-2026. If you're considering temporary work, apply immediately before additional restrictions take effect. Focus on high-skilled positions in low-unemployment regions and sectors deemed strategically important by the government.
Q: What advantages do French-speaking immigrants have under the new plan?
French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec represent Canada's fastest-growing immigration priority with significant advantages. Current targets increase from 8.5% in 2025 to 10% in 2027, with Prime Minister Carney's election promise pushing this to 12% by 2029. IRCC demonstrates commitment through dedicated Express Entry category-based draws for French speakers, Francophone Community Immigration Pilot expansion, and enhanced settlement services. Even basic French proficiency provides substantial Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System points and access to dedicated immigration streams. The "Federal Economic Priorities" Express Entry stream specifically targets French speakers among in-demand occupations. French-speaking candidates also benefit from reduced competition in dedicated draws and priority processing. If you have any French language ability, invest in improving proficiency through standardized testing like TEF or TCF, as this represents one of the strongest advantages in Canada's increasingly competitive immigration landscape.
Q: How should I adjust my immigration timeline and strategy based on these changes?
The November 1, 2025 announcement will trigger immediate application strategy adjustments, so preparation is crucial now. If current trends continue, expect Express Entry draws to maintain frequency but require higher Comprehensive Ranking System scores due to increased competition. Start maximizing your score through additional education, improved language testing, or gaining Canadian work experience. For Provincial Nominee Programs, research provinces that successfully negotiated increases and align your skills with their specific labor market needs. French language learning should be prioritized regardless of your primary immigration stream. International students should focus on programs with strong post-graduation work opportunities to access the "In-Canada Focus" Express Entry stream. Temporary workers in high-unemployment regions should consider relocating or transitioning to permanent residence applications immediately. The key is positioning yourself in government priority categories—French speakers, candidates with Canadian experience, and in-demand occupations—before application volumes surge following the official announcement.
