To restore immigration to sustainable levels and ensure more economic opportunities for Canadian citizens and residents, the federal government has announced plans to reduce the number of international students, temporary residents, and new permanent residents as part of Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Canada’s plans to reduce immigration numbers are in line with easing pressures on housing, services and infrastructure, bringing down the temporary resident population to less than five percent, and permanent resident admissions to one percent of the total population.
- Canada aims to allow only 155,000 new international student arrivals in 2026, which is 49 percent fewer than last year’s target
- Only 230,000 new temporary workers will be let in: 37 percent less than last year
- The target for permanent residents, who are to account for 64 percent of all immigration targets in 2027 and 2028, will be set at 380,000, four percent lower than last year
- The plan includes increasing francophone newcomers (outside of Quebec) to 10.5 percent of immigration targets by 2028
- Asylum claimants and in-Canada study/work permit applicants will also be included in the calculations to reach the target of under five percent of temporary residents
Also read: Pre-arrival immigrants, get started toward a smooth transition in Canada
“Canadians and newcomers deserve a system that prioritizes those who support our communities and economy, and who can contribute to a stronger Canada in their own way,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), in her Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, which was released alongside the Immigration Levels Plan.
“This year, we worked hard to deliver on that commitment,” she added. “Our immigration levels plan for 2026-2028 will build on that work to restore Canadians’ confidence in our immigration system and demonstrate that we are on the right track.”
Immigration to focus on labour gaps, economic needs
Both temporary and permanent resident targets will offer priority to those applicants who can fill the specific labour market needs required to grow and expand the economy. Key sectors that need skilled migrants include emerging technologies, health care, and the skilled trades.
To ensure Canada continues to attract global talent, the country will embark on a five-point plan to encourage skilled workers:
- Prioritize bringing talent to key sectors to support the Canadian economy
- Retain top talent through expanding faster processing and streamlining the application process
- Promote Canada as a destination of choice for top talent, entrepreneurs and start-ups
- Identify clear pathways to permanent residence to keep the temporary workers and recent graduates that our country needs
- Include graduate students in pathways to permanent residence, to foster research and innovation
New one-off government initiatives announced
Two new government initiatives have been announced: one is to help people with protected status (such as refugees and asylum seekers) settle into the country, while the other offers a fast-track pathway to permanent residents for certain skilled workers.
- Some 115,000 applications are expected from people recognized as needing protection, under a one-time, two-year initiative (2026-27) to offer them permanent residency.
- Similarly, about 33,000 skilled temporary workers are expected to transition to permanent residence over the next two years. Many of these workers are already employed in high-demand sectors, with a focus on rural areas.
What led to Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan?
The country’s current plan reportedly comes after extensive consultations with organizations concerned with immigration, including non-profits, educational institutions, and businesses. Also surveyed with individuals, 72 percent of whom lived in large cities, while the vast majority of respondents (85 percent) spoke English as a first language.
From the consultations came the following key points to streamline immigration and best utilize it to grow Canada’s economy.
- Leveraging immigration for economic growth
- Building a more predictable, efficient immigration system
- Aligning credentials with workforce needs
- Planning infrastructure and increasing the quality of life
- Enhancing data for better planning
- Supporting international students and academic excellence
- Tailoring immigration to regional and rural needs
- Helping newcomers thrive in communities across Canada
- Promoting public education and inclusive narratives
- Advancing Francophone immigration outside Quebec
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