Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028: What to Expect
- Gateway to Canada
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Every year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) releases a forward-looking plan setting the number of permanent and temporary residents that Canada aims to admit over a multi-year horizon.
This “Immigration Levels Plan” serves several purposes:
It gives employers, provinces, territories, settlement agencies, and applicants a clear sense of how many spaces will be available.
It signals the government’s priorities — for example, economic immigration versus family reunification, humanitarian and resettlement programs, or temporary versus permanent residents.
It helps align immigration numbers with housing, infrastructure, settlement capacity, and labour-market needs.
The most recent plan (2025–2027) set targets of 395,000 permanent residents for 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. For the first time, that plan also included targets for temporary residents such as international students and workers. The upcoming 2026–2028 plan will be the next major update.
What We Know So Far
Although the new plan has not yet been officially released, several expectations and signals have emerged from government briefings and policy analysts.
Timing
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to be tabled on or before November 1, 2025.
Key Policy Directions and Constraints
The government has indicated it will aim to keep the number of permanent-resident admissions under 1% of Canada’s total population annually by around 2027.
It also plans to reduce the proportion of temporary residents (students and workers) so that they represent less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
There will likely be a continued emphasis on economic-class immigration, in-Canada transitions (temporary residents becoming permanent), and francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Housing affordability, infrastructure strain, and public attitudes are major factors influencing these targets.
What the Numbers Might Look Like
Analysts suggest a few possible scenarios for 2026–2028:
Permanent resident targets could remain near 380,000 for 2026, similar to the current plan, though a slight increase is possible depending on economic conditions.
Temporary resident numbers could be reduced or stabilized to align with the government’s broader population targets.
What to Watch For
As the plan is announced, key questions will include:
Will overall immigration targets increase, remain stable, or decrease?
How will allocations change among economic, family, and humanitarian streams?
What adjustments will be made to temporary resident programs?
How much emphasis will be placed on regional and francophone immigration?
Will new pathways or pilot programs be introduced for skilled workers or those already in Canada?
Why the Plan Matters
For Canada’s Economy
Immigration remains central to Canada’s strategy for addressing labour shortages and demographic challenges. However, increasing numbers also create pressure on housing, infrastructure, and settlement systems. The new plan will reveal how the government intends to balance these competing priorities.
If targets are reduced or remain flat, employers may face tighter access to foreign talent but benefit from greater predictability. If targets increase, settlement and housing systems will need to expand to keep pace.
For Prospective Immigrants
Applicants under economic and family streams will be closely watching the new quotas and targets. If temporary-resident caps tighten, it may become harder to transition from temporary to permanent status. Those already in Canada may benefit if the government prioritizes in-Canada transitions. Regional and francophone immigration programs could also see expanded opportunities.
For Provinces and Settlement Services
Stable, multi-year targets help provinces, territories, and settlement agencies plan housing, training, and integration programs. Sudden changes can strain or under-utilize resources. Predictability is key for local governments and service providers.
For Public Sentiment and Policy
Immigration levels are not only an economic matter — they are political. The move to limit permanent-resident admissions to under 1% of the population and temporary residents to under 5% reflects an effort to balance public concerns with labour-market needs.
Predictions for the 2026–2028 Plan
While the exact figures remain to be seen, early projections suggest:
Permanent-resident targets around 380,000 to 410,000 for 2026, consistent with the 1% population guideline.
A modest reduction or stabilization in temporary-resident admissions, especially for students and low-wage temporary foreign workers.
Economic-class immigrants to make up roughly 60% of total admissions.
Family and humanitarian categories likely to remain stable or slightly reduced.
A continued increase in francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Possible introduction of new pilot programs to address regional labour shortages and promote in-Canada transitions.
Final Thoughts
The Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 will be a defining moment for Canada’s immigration policy. It will demonstrate how the government plans to balance economic growth with housing capacity, integration resources, and public confidence.
For individuals considering immigration to Canada, as well as employers and policymakers, this plan will offer valuable insight into Canada’s long-term priorities. Whether the targets rise, fall, or stay the same, the next plan will shape the country’s demographic and economic landscape for years to come.
