The Government of Canada has released its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining a new direction focused on balancing economic needs with sustainable immigration growth. The plan sets clear targets for both temporary and permanent residents while emphasizing a steady approach to population management and labour market demands.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the three-year plan aims to stabilize permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually from 2026 through 2028, while gradually reducing the number of temporary residents entering the country. The government’s goal is to ensure that temporary residents make up less than 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
For temporary residents, the plan targets 385,000 arrivals in 2026, dropping to 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028. These figures include workers and international students arriving through programs such as the International Mobility Program (IMP) and the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. IRCC says this adjustment is designed to strengthen Canada’s workforce while maintaining sustainable population growth.
On the permanent residency side, economic immigration will continue to lead, accounting for up to 64% of total admissions by 2028. The plan boosts numbers in the Federal High Skilled and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams to attract top global talent and address provincial labour needs.
Canada is also reinforcing its humanitarian commitments, maintaining 13% of total admissions for refugees and protected persons, while keeping family reunification steady at about 22% of total admissions.
In a major humanitarian move, the government will fast-track permanent residence for approximately 115,000 Protected Persons already in Canada, along with up to 33,000 temporary workers transitioning to permanent status in 2026 and 2027.
The plan also advances Canada’s Francophone immigration goals, with the target for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec expected to rise from 9% in 2026 to 10.5% by 2028, supporting the vitality of Francophone minority communities nationwide.
IRCC said the 2026–2028 plan “reflects Canada’s commitment to restoring balance and sustainability to the immigration system, while maintaining compassion and ensuring economic competitiveness.”
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