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Canada Stabilizes Permanent Resident Admissions and Decreases Temporary Resident Targets in 2026-2028 Immigration Levels

🇨🇦 CanadaInternational Agreements1 recorded versionLast change 16 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually from 2026 to 2028. Temporary resident arrival targets are set at 385,000 for 2026, and 370,000 for 2027 and 2028, with a goal to reduce Canada's temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Economic category admissions will constitute 64% by 2027 and 2028. The target for Francophone admissions destined for outside Quebec is increased to 10.5% by 2028, supporting a broader goal of 12% by 2029. Family class admissions remain stable at 21.3-22.1%. Refugee and Protected Persons admissions account for 13% of overall admissions. Additionally, one-time initiatives will transition approximately 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027, beyond the overall permanent resident targets.

Overview

Canada is investing approximately $1.5 million in three new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program, alongside additional funding for the Université de l’Ontario français. These initiatives, announced on 20 March 2026, are designed to boost Francophone immigration and support French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec by attracting skilled French-speaking and bilingual immigrants, addressing labour needs, and fostering economic development.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • New temporary resident arrivals (students and workers)
  • New permanent resident admissions
  • French-speaking applicants who plan to live outside Quebec
  • Protected Persons in Canada who are on a path to permanent residency
  • Temporary workers with strong ties to the community and useful skills for becoming permanent residents

What changed in the latest version

Before

Canada invested about $1.5 million in three new projects. These projects are part of the Francophone Immigration Support Programme. They aim to make the French-speaking population stronger in information and communications technology. They also provide help to attract and keep French-speaking skilled workers in Northern Ontario. And they inform French-speaking people about job, immigration, and settlement options in Canada's French-speaking communities outside Quebec. Also, Canada set aside up to $575,000 over three years. This money comes from the Settlement Programme. It is for Université de l’Ontario français. The university will use it to create a short course on how to manage Francophone immigration.

After

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets permanent resident admissions at 380,000 each year. This is for 2026, 2027, and 2028. Targets for new temporary resident arrivals are 385,000 for 2026. They are 370,000 for 2027 and 2028. The plan aims to reduce Canada's temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Admissions for the economic category will make up 64% by 2027 and 2028. The target for French-speaking people admitted outside Quebec has increased to 10.5% by 2028. This supports a wider goal of 12% by 2029. Family class admissions will stay steady at 21.3-22.1%. Refugee and Protected Persons admissions make up 13% of all admissions. Also, special one-time programmes will help people become permanent residents. About 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and up to 33,000 temporary workers will transition. This will happen in 2026 and 2027. These numbers are extra and are not part of the main permanent resident targets.

This plan shows Canada is changing its immigration system. It aims for 'sustainable immigration levels'. This means fewer temporary resident arrivals. But it keeps permanent admissions steady. The plan prioritises economic immigration. It sets 64% of admissions for this group by 2027 and 2028. This is to help with job shortages and attract skilled people from around the world. The increased focus on Francophone immigration outside Quebec aims to make these communities stronger. Also, the special programmes for Protected Persons and some temporary workers offer a clear path to permanent residence. This helps people already in Canada and meets humanitarian promises.

Explained simply

Imagine Canada as a house with a certain number of rooms. This plan decides how many new permanent residents (people who live here for good) and temporary residents (people visiting or working for a while) can move in each year. For permanent residents, the number will stay steady at 380,000 for 2026, 2027, and 2028. For temporary residents, like international students or temporary workers, Canada is actually planning to let fewer new people in each year, reducing the numbers from 385,000 in 2026 to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028. This is to make sure the 'house' isn't too crowded, with the goal of having fewer than 5% of the total population being temporary residents by the end of 2027. The plan also includes special ways for people already here as protected persons or skilled temporary workers to become permanent residents faster.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v2Effective 1 Jan 2026PublishedHigh impact
    Canada Stabilizes Permanent Resident Admissions and Decreases Temporary Resident Targets in 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan

    Canada has released its 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. It will keep the number of people given permanent residence the same. This number is 380,000 each year for 2026, 2027, and 2028. Canada has also set new targets for people arriving as temporary residents. The target is 385,000 for 2026. It will decrease to 370,000 for 2027 and 2028. The plan aims to make the temporary population less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. The plan greatly increases the target for Francophone admissions outside Quebec. It aims for 10.5% by 2028, and 12% by 2029. Also, special one-time programmes will help certain people get permanent residence faster. About 115,000 Protected Persons and up to 33,000 temporary workers will benefit. This will happen in 2026-2027. These numbers are separate from the main targets.

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