Permanent resident targets
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All permanent residents | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| Federal High Skilled (includes Express Entry programs) | 109,000 | 111,000 | 111,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 91,500 | 92,500 | 92,500 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Spouses, partners and children | 69,000 | 66,000 | 66,000 |
| Parents and grandparents | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
Economic immigration makes up about 63% of 2026 admissions, family 22%, and refugees and other groups 15%.
Temporary resident targets
| New arrivals | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary workers | 230,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International students | 155,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
| Total | 385,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
These targets count new arrivals only. Extensions and changes of status from inside Canada, seasonal workers, visitors and asylum claimants aren't included.
Two one-time measures
- Skilled workers: up to 33,000 workers already in Canada will move to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. See who the In-Canada Workers Initiative covers.
- Protected persons: about 115,000 applications over 2 years from people recognized as needing protection.
The government's wider goals
- Reduce temporary residents to less than 5% of Canada's population by the end of 2027
- Keep new permanent residents to less than 1% of the population
- French-speaking admissions outside Quebec of 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028, working toward 12% by 2029
What this means for you
If you're in Express Entry: spaces are stable, but selection is more targeted. Scores matter, and so does your occupation. See the November 2026 CRS changes and category-based draws.
If you're in a province: the PNP target is large, which is why a nomination stays one of the strongest routes. See how to get invited by the BC PNP.
If you're a student or worker: fewer new arrivals are planned, so it matters to plan your route to PR early and keep your status valid.
If you're sponsoring family: the parents and grandparents target is small, and new PGP intake is paused.
FAQs
How many immigrants will Canada accept in 2026?
The plan targets 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026, within a range of 350,000 to 420,000.
Has the 2027 to 2029 levels plan been released?
We couldn't find it on IRCC's website as of November 3, 2026. Check IRCC's levels page for the latest.
Does the plan cap Express Entry draws?
The plan sets admission targets, not a fixed number of invitations per draw. IRCC decides each round's size and type.