Canada remains one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for immigrants seeking professional opportunities, family reunification, permanent residence and a better quality of life. However, the country’s immigration system is evolving as the government works to balance economic growth, labor-market requirements, housing availability and population management.
On November 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published supplementary details of Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining the country’s immigration targets for the next three years.
The announcement provides important information for skilled workers, international graduates, temporary foreign workers, provincial nominee applicants, family sponsorship candidates and people considering permanent residence in Canada.
Under the new plan, Canada intends to maintain an annual permanent resident admission target of 380,000 while stabilizing new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 per year.
The government is also maintaining its focus on economic immigration, increasing targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec and introducing additional measures to transition certain people already living in Canada to permanent residence.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, explain the major immigration categories and discuss what the new targets could mean for prospective applicants.
1. What Is Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2027–2029?
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan is a government policy framework that establishes how many new permanent residents the country intends to admit over a specified period.
It also provides targets for new temporary resident arrivals, particularly international students and temporary workers.
The plan helps the Canadian government manage immigration while considering several national priorities, including:
- Supporting economic development and addressing labor shortages.
- Attracting skilled workers and international talent.
- Maintaining family reunification opportunities.
- Supporting refugees and people requiring humanitarian protection.
- Strengthening rural, regional and Francophone communities.
- Managing population growth and pressure on public services, infrastructure and housing.
The 2027–2029 plan continues Canada’s approach towards a more sustainable and predictable immigration system.
Rather than significantly increasing the number of new arrivals, the government intends to maintain stable immigration targets and prioritise applicants who can contribute to Canada’s economic and social development.
Key highlights of the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan
Here are the most important announcements:
| Immigration category | Annual target |
|---|---|
| New temporary resident arrivals | 370,000 |
| Temporary workers | 220,000 |
| International students | 150,000 |
| Permanent resident admissions | 380,000 |
| Economic immigration | 244,700 |
| Family sponsorship | 81,000 |
| Refugees and protected persons | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian and other admissions | 5,000 |
The economic immigration category will represent approximately 64.4% of planned permanent resident admissions throughout the three-year period.
These figures demonstrate that economic immigration will remain Canada’s largest immigration priority.
2. Canada’s Temporary Resident Targets for 2027–2029
One of the most significant aspects of the new plan is the decision to stabilize new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 annually.
Temporary residents include foreign nationals entering Canada for purposes such as employment and education under the relevant temporary immigration programmes.
The government’s targets focus on two principal groups: temporary workers and international students.
Temporary resident targets by category
| Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Mobility Program | 170,000 | 170,000 | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Total temporary workers | 220,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International students | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
| Total new arrivals | 370,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
The overall temporary resident arrival target also has a planning range of 355,000 to 385,000 for each year.
It is important to understand that these figures refer to new arrivals under the relevant temporary worker and international student program. They are not the total number of temporary residents living in Canada.
Permit extensions, visitors, in-Canada study and work permit applications and asylum claimants are not assigned individual arrival targets under this table.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program has an annual target of 170,000 temporary worker arrivals.
The program covers work permits that do not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
It includes several categories of work permits issued under international agreements, Canadian economic and social interests, and other eligible immigration provisions.
Examples include certain work permits issued through international agreements and applicable economic immigration arrangements.
An important clarification concerns Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). Although PGWPs are associated with the International Mobility Program, IRCC does not include them in these new-arrival targets because it treats them as an extension or change of status rather than a new arrival in Canada.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Canada has allocated 50,000 annual new worker arrivals to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals when suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available to fill specific positions.
Employers generally need a positive or neutral Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), where required, before hiring a foreign worker under the program.
The LMIA process evaluates the potential impact of employing a foreign national on Canada’s labor market.
The 2027–2029 targets include eligible non-seasonal workers who remain in Canada for longer than one year. Certain seasonal workers entering and leaving Canada within the same calendar year are excluded from these targets.
For foreign workers, the allocation indicates that employer-supported temporary employment will continue to form part of Canada’s immigration system.
However, the target does not guarantee that an employer can obtain approval to hire a foreign worker. Employers and applicants must satisfy the applicable programme requirements.
International Student Arrivals
Canada plans to welcome 150,000 new international student arrivals annually between 2027 and 2029.
These targets relate to foreign nationals studying for six months or longer at eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs).
The figures should not be confused with the number of study permit applications accepted or approved. Study permit application caps operate separately from the immigration arrival targets.
For students, the announcement indicates that Canada intends to maintain a controlled and consistent level of new international student arrivals over the next three years.
3. Canada’s Permanent Residence Targets for 2027–2029
Permanent residence remains a major component of Canada’s immigration strategy.
According to the new plan, Canada will maintain an annual permanent resident admission target of 380,000 throughout 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The overall planned admissions also have a range of 352,500 to 422,000 per year, providing operational flexibility to respond to changing immigration priorities and application pressures.
Permanent resident admission targets
| Immigration category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | 244,700 | 244,700 | 244,700 |
| Family | 81,000 | 81,000 | 81,000 |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | 49,300 | 49,300 | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian and Other | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Total permanent resident admissions | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
The distribution demonstrates that economic immigration will account for nearly two-thirds of planned admissions.
Family reunification, refugee protection and humanitarian commitments will continue to represent important parts of the country’s immigration policy.
It is also important to remember that permanent resident admissions refer to people admitted as permanent residents, not the number of applications received by IRCC.
4. Economic Immigration: Canada’s Largest Immigration Priority
Economic immigration is the most significant category in Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan.
The government has allocated 244,700 permanent resident admissions annually to this category, representing approximately 64.4% of all planned permanent resident admissions.
The objective is to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and workers who can support Canada’s economy and address labor-market shortages.
The economic category includes several immigration program and regional pathways.
Economic immigration targets by programme
| Program or category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal High Skilled | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Federal Business | 1,500 | 2,725 | 1,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 7,900 | 6,175 | 7,400 |
| Rural Community Immigration Program | 5,500 | 6,000 | 6,500 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 95,000 | 95,000 | 95,000 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Total Economic | 244,700 | 244,700 | 244,700 |
The Federal High Skilled, Federal Business and pilot program categories have different planning ranges for individual years. The Quebec figures are to be determined under Quebec’s own immigration planning framework.
A. Federal High Skilled Immigration
The Federal High Skilled category has a target of 100,000 permanent resident admissions annually.
It includes three important federal immigration program:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
This program is designed for skilled workers with qualifying foreign work experience who meet the relevant education, language, selection and other eligibility requirements.
It offers an immigration pathway for eligible professionals who have developed their careers outside Canada.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for eligible skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience.
It is particularly relevant to temporary workers and international graduates who obtain qualifying Canadian work experience and meet the program requirements.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This program provides a permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled tradespeople with qualifying work experience and other required qualifications.
It supports Canada’s demand for workers in specific skilled trades.
What does the 100,000 target mean for Express Entry applicants?
Express Entry is Canada’s application management system for several federal economic immigration program, including the three programmes mentioned above.
The 100,000 Federal High Skilled target indicates the planned scale of admissions through this category.
IRCC will continue using labor-market information, economic priorities and consultation with provinces, territories and other stakeholders to determine which candidates may receive invitations through applicable Express Entry selection categories.
However, the 100,000 target does not guarantee that every eligible Express Entry candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Candidates must continue to satisfy the requirements of their selected program and any applicable invitation criteria.
B. Federal Business Immigration
Canada has allocated the following admissions targets to its Federal Business category:
- 2027: 1,500 admissions.
- 2028: 2,725 admissions.
- 2029: 1,000 admissions.
This category includes admissions associated with the Start-up Visa Program and the Self-employed Persons Program.
The figures vary significantly across the three years, demonstrating that the government does not intend to maintain a uniform target for this category.
However, admission targets do not necessarily represent new application spaces or confirmation that a program is accepting applications.
Applicants considering business immigration should verify the current program status, eligibility requirements and application arrangements before making investment or business plans.
C. Federal Economic Immigration Pilots
Federal Economic Pilots have an important role in addressing specific labor shortages and supporting economic development.
The government has allocated 7,900 admissions in 2027, 6,175 in 2028 and 7,400 in 2029.
The category includes several program and initiatives, such as:
- Home Care Worker Immigration pilots.
- Agri-Food Pilot.
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
- Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
These initiatives are designed to address particular economic, occupational, regional and community needs.
For example, home care program support the recruitment of eligible workers in child care and home support.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot connects eligible skilled refugees and displaced people with Canadian employers and economic immigration opportunities.
The Francophone program support French-speaking newcomers and the development of Francophone communities outside Quebec.
An important detail is that the Federal Economic Pilots allocation includes admissions from previous program and applications that continue to be processed. Therefore, the target should not be interpreted as a completely new application quota for every listed pilot.
Applicants should check whether a particular program is currently open and accepting applications.
5. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program remains one of the largest economic immigration categories in Canada’s new immigration plan.
IRCC has set an annual target of 95,000 permanent resident admissions through the PNP for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate eligible foreign nationals who meet their regional economic and program-market requirements.
Different provinces have different immigration priorities. Some focus on skilled professionals, while others may priorities healthcare workers, tradespeople, technology professionals, international graduates or workers in occupations experiencing shortages.
Why is the PNP important?
Canada has significant economic and labour-market differences between provinces and territories.
The PNP allows regional governments to identify applicants whose qualifications and experience match local requirements.
For eligible applicants, provincial nomination can provide an important route towards permanent residence.
However, each province operates its own immigration streams, eligibility criteria and nomination arrangements.
A person who qualifies under one provincial program may not qualify under another.
What should PNP applicants expect in 2027–2029?
The stable annual target of 95,000 indicates that provincial nomination will remain an important component of economic immigration.
Prospective applicants should monitor provincial immigration announcements, nomination allocations, occupation priorities and changes in selection criteria.
It is also important to distinguish between provincial nominations and federal permanent residence admissions. Receiving a provincial nomination does not automatically mean permanent residence has been granted. Applicants must still complete the applicable federal immigration process.
6. Rural Community Immigration Program and Atlantic Immigration Program
Canada is also continuing to support immigration outside its largest metropolitan areas.
The 2027–2029 plan includes separate targets for rural and Atlantic immigration initiatives.
Rural Community Immigration Program (RCIP)
The Rural Community Immigration Program has the following annual admission targets:
| Year | Target |
|---|---|
| 2027 | 5,500 |
| 2028 | 6,000 |
| 2029 | 6,500 |
The gradual increase reflects Canada’s interest in supporting rural communities and addressing regional labour shortages.
The program is designed to connect eligible foreign workers with participating rural communities and employers.
Applicants must meet the applicable program requirements, including the relevant employment and community conditions.
A noteworthy detail is that the admissions target also includes remaining applications from the former Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which will continue to be processed.
Therefore, the entire allocation should not be interpreted as new places available to future applicants.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program has an annual target of 6,000 permanent resident admissions throughout the three-year period.
It supports eligible skilled foreign workers and international graduates who wish to establish themselves in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick.
- Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Nova Scotia.
- Prince Edward Island.
The program connects prospective immigrants with designated employers and regional employment opportunities.
Eligible applicants must satisfy the relevant work experience, education, language, settlement and other program requirements, although some international graduates may qualify for specific exemptions.
For foreign nationals interested in living outside Canada’s largest cities, the Atlantic Immigration Program may be worth exploring.
7. Family Sponsorship
Family reunification remains an important part of Canada’s immigration policy.
The new plan allocates 81,000 permanent resident admissions annually to the Family category.
This represents approximately 21.3% of planned permanent resident admissions.
Family sponsorship targets
| Family immigration category | Annual target |
|---|---|
| Spouses, Partners and Children | 66,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 15,000 |
| Total Family | 81,000 |
Spousal and Partner Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor their spouses or partners for permanent residence, subject to the applicable requirements.
These program help families remain together and establish their lives in Canada.
Eligible relationships may include spouses, common-law partners and conjugal partners, depending on the specific circumstances and immigration requirements.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Canada also continues to provide permanent residence opportunities for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The annual target for this category is 15,000 admissions.
However, applicants should understand that the Parents and Grandparents Program has its own intake arrangements, eligibility requirements and selection procedures.
The annual admission target does not mean that applications are continuously open or that every interested sponsor can immediately submit an application.
Prospective sponsors should follow official IRCC announcements for the latest intake instructions.
8. Refugees and Protected Persons
Canada maintains its commitment to protecting refugees and people who need humanitarian protection.
The 2027–2029 plan allocates 49,300 permanent resident admissions annually to the Refugees and Protected Persons category.
This represents approximately 13% of planned permanent resident admissions.
Refugee and protected person targets
| Category | Annual target |
|---|---|
| Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 20,000 |
| Government-Assisted Refugees | 11,750 |
| Privately Sponsored Refugees | 17,550 |
| Total | 49,300 |
Protected Persons in Canada
People who receive protected person status in Canada may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the applicable immigration rules.
The category also includes eligible dependents abroad.
Government-Assisted Refugees
Government-Assisted Refugees are selected for resettlement through Canada’s refugee protection and resettlement arrangements.
They receive settlement support through government-assisted program.
Privately Sponsored Refugees
Privately Sponsored Refugees are supported by eligible private sponsors, including groups and organizations that undertake settlement responsibilities.
Canada’s continued allocation to these categories demonstrates that refugee protection remains an important responsibility within the immigration system.
These pathways are different from ordinary economic immigration program and have their own eligibility and referral requirements.
9. Humanitarian and Compassionate Immigration
The government has allocated 5,000 permanent resident admissions each year to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category.
This represents approximately 1.3% of planned permanent resident admissions.
The category includes people selected on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, certain public policy cases and the permit holder class.
Humanitarian and compassionate applications are assessed according to specific legal and administrative requirements.
These provisions may be relevant in exceptional circumstances where an applicant has compelling factors that warrant consideration under the applicable immigration framework.
However, they should not be viewed as a general alternative to meeting the normal requirements of economic or family immigration program.
10. Canada Is Increasing French-Speaking Immigration Outside Quebec
One of the most notable long-term developments in the 2027–2029 plan is the increasing focus on French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec.
Canada aims to strengthen Francophone Minority Communities by attracting more French-speaking newcomers to communities across the country.
The government has announced the following targets:
| Year | French-speaking PR admissions target outside Quebec |
|---|---|
| 2027 | 9.5% — approximately 31,825 admissions |
| 2028 | 10.5% — approximately 35,175 admissions |
| 2029 | 12% — approximately 40,200 admissions |
These figures indicate a gradual increase in Canada’s planned French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec.
Why is French language proficiency important?
Canada has two official languages: English and French.
French-speaking immigrants can contribute to the development of Francophone communities, support public services and help address specific labour-market requirements.
French language proficiency may also be relevant to certain Express Entry selection categories and immigration pathways.
For prospective immigrants, developing French language skills could therefore provide an additional advantage when exploring suitable immigration opportunities.
However, French proficiency does not automatically guarantee permanent residence or an invitation to apply.
Applicants must still meet the specific language, education, experience and other eligibility requirements of the immigration program they choose.
It is also important to note that Quebec has a separate immigration selection framework under the Canada–Quebec Accord. The figures above relate specifically to French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
11. New Time-Limited PR Measure for Certain People Already in Canada
Another important announcement in the new immigration plan is a time-limited measure designed to provide additional capacity for processing permanent residence applications in 2027.
The measure focuses on two groups of people who are already living in Canada.
First Group: Workers and Their Accompanying Family Members
The government plans to transition certain in-Canada workers and their accompanying family members to permanent residence.
This initiative will be implemented in collaboration with provinces and territories.
Its purpose is to support regional labour-market needs and help retain workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy.
The measure may be particularly relevant to discussions about workers who have established employment and community connections in Canada.
However, IRCC has not provided a general eligibility checklist or a specific number of available places for this new measure on the supplementary plan page.
Applicants should not assume that holding a Canadian work permit automatically makes them eligible.
Second Group: People Waiting in Canada for Many Years
The second group focuses on certain individuals already living in Canada who have been waiting for many years for permanent residence.
This humanitarian initiative is intended to provide a more efficient transition to permanent resident status, maintain family unity and help Canada fulfil existing humanitarian commitments.
The initiative is time-limited and is not a general new permanent residence pathway for everyone living in Canada.
The detailed eligibility arrangements will need to be confirmed through further official guidance.
12. Existing One-Time Measures
Alongside the new time-limited measure, IRCC will continue implementing two existing initiatives announced in Budget 2025.
These measures are intended to accelerate the transition of certain people already living in Canada to permanent residence during 2026 and 2027.
The two groups include:
Up to 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and Their In-Canada Dependents and Dependents Abroad
This initiative is intended to accelerate permanent residence transitions for eligible protected persons and their dependents.
Up to 33,000 Work Permit Holders
This measure is designed to transition eligible work permit holders already in Canada to permanent residence.
These initiatives should be understood as targeted, one-time measures rather than permanent additions to the standard immigration program.
The published figures represent the maximum intended scale of these initiatives, not a guarantee that every protected person or work permit holder will automatically receive permanent residence.
Applicants must follow the specific instructions and eligibility arrangements established by IRCC.
13. What Does the New Immigration Plan Mean for Express Entry Applicants?
Express Entry is one of the most important immigration systems for skilled foreign workers interested in permanent residence in Canada.
The 2027–2029 plan allocates 100,000 annual admissions to the Federal High Skilled category, which includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
This demonstrates the continued importance of skilled economic immigration.
However, prospective Express Entry applicants should understand that an overall admission target does not determine individual selection outcomes.
The following factors remain important:
- Age and educational qualifications.
- Skilled work experience.
- English or French language proficiency.
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, where applicable.
- Eligibility for category-based selection.
- Provincial nomination opportunities.
- The immigration criteria and invitation arrangements in effect at the time of selection.
IRCC may continue to adjust Express Entry category priorities according to Canada’s economic and labor-market requirements.
Consequently, candidates should focus on improving their qualifications and maintaining accurate, updated Express Entry profiles where eligible.
14. What Should Foreign Workers and Immigrants Do Now?
The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan provides important information about Canada’s immigration priorities, but it does not establish automatic eligibility for any individual applicant.
People interested in moving to Canada should prepare according to their qualifications, professional experience, financial circumstances and immigration objectives.
Here are some practical recommendations.
For Skilled Workers
Research the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Evaluate your education, occupational experience and language proficiency before choosing a pathway.
For Temporary Workers in Canada
Monitor federal and provincial immigration announcements.
Workers with established Canadian employment should understand the available economic immigration and provincial nomination options.
Do not assume that a temporary work permit automatically leads to permanent residence.
For International Graduates
Review Canadian Experience Class eligibility, relevant provincial program and current PGWP requirements.
Canadian education can support long-term career development, but graduating from a Canadian institution does not guarantee permanent residence.
For Provincial Nominee Applicants
Research the immigration priorities of the province where you intend to settle.
Compare nomination streams based on occupation, employment, education and other program requirements.
For French-Speaking Applicants
Consider developing French language proficiency.
French may be relevant to specific Express Entry selection categories and immigration pathways designed to support Francophone communities outside Quebec.
For Family Sponsorship Applicants
Review the current sponsorship requirements, income rules where applicable, relationship documentation and application intake arrangements.
Do not make plans based solely on the annual family immigration target.
15. Important Things to Understand
Although the government has announced stable immigration targets, applicants should understand that targets are planning figures rather than individual guarantees.
There are several important details in the IRCC announcement.
First, permanent residence targets are not application quotas.
The figure of 380,000 represents planned permanent resident admissions, not the number of applications that IRCC will receive or approve.
Second, planning ranges allow flexibility.
The overall permanent resident target of 380,000 has an annual range of 352,500 to 422,000.
These ranges allow IRCC to respond to operational requirements and changes in immigration priorities.
Third, some future targets remain subject to review.
The 2028 and 2029 targets are identified as notional and may be confirmed or adjusted annually.
Temporary resident and permanent resident targets therefore should not all be treated as permanently fixed figures.
Fourth, programme targets do not guarantee new application spaces.
Some programme allocations include applications from previous immigration initiatives that are still being processed.
Applicants should always verify the current status of a programme before submitting an application.
Conclusion
Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan highlights a more controlled and economically focused approach to immigration.
By maintaining an annual permanent residence target of 380,000 and stabilizing new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000, the government aims to provide greater predictability while managing population growth and supporting national economic priorities.
Economic immigration remains the largest category, with 244,700 annual admissions planned. The Provincial Nominee Program will continue to play an important role, while family sponsorship, refugee protection and humanitarian immigration remain central to Canada’s immigration framework.
The increasing focus on French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec and the new transition measures for certain people already in Canada are also important developments.
For skilled workers, temporary residents, international graduates and families considering Canada, understanding these changes is an essential first step towards choosing an appropriate immigration pathway.
However, immigration targets should never be confused with individual eligibility or guaranteed permanent residence.
Before making an immigration decision, applicants should carefully review the latest programme requirements, assess their qualifications and seek reliable professional guidance where necessary.
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