Canada just released the most consequential immigration plan in a decade. Permanent residents are staying stable at 380,000 per year. Temporary residents are being cut by nearly half. Study permits have been slashed by 49 per cent. The Provincial Nominee Program has been expanded by 66 per cent. Whether you are applying to come to Canada, already here, or planning your next step — this plan determines your options. Here is every number, explained plainly.
By Maplestime Immigration Desk | Canada | May 23, 2026 Sources: IRCC — 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan | Parliamentary Budget Office | Last verified: May 23, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Canada will admit 380,000 permanent residents per year from 2026 to 2028 — stable but lower than the 395,000 target in 2025
- Temporary resident arrivals are being cut from approximately 673,000 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026 — a 43 per cent reduction
- International student permits are being cut by 49 per cent — from 305,000 in 2025 to 155,000 in 2026
- Economic immigration makes up 64 per cent of permanent admissions by 2028 — the highest share in the program’s history
- The Provincial Nominee Program has expanded to 91,500 spots in 2026 — up 66 per cent from 55,000 in 2025
- Parents and Grandparents Program cut by 40 per cent — from 24,500 in 2025 to 15,000 per year from 2026 onward
- Canada’s goal: reduce temporary residents to below 5 per cent of total population by end of 2027
- One-time regularisation initiative for 115,000 protected persons and up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers
The Big Picture — What Canada Is Actually Doing
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan focuses on a return to sustainable immigration levels through continued decreases to temporary resident arrivals and stabilized permanent resident admissions. The Plan prioritizes economic immigration to support the labour market while managing the overall size of Canada’s non-permanent resident population.
For years, Canada was growing its immigration numbers aggressively — reaching nearly 500,000 permanent residents in 2023, plus an even larger number of temporary residents. The housing crisis, healthcare strain, and public debate around immigration sustainability forced a rethink. The 2026-2028 plan is that rethink, made official.
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets permanent resident admission targets at 380,000 per year and reiterates the government’s commitment to reduce the non-permanent resident population to less than 5 per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027. The Parliamentary Budget Office projects that the share of non-permanent residents will fall from its 2024 peak of 7.6 per cent to just under 5 per cent by the end of 2027, aligning with the government’s target.
For permanent residents and those pursuing permanent residence — this plan is broadly good news. Targets are stable, economic immigration is expanding, and the PNP has grown dramatically. For temporary residents — students, workers, and visitors — the picture is significantly harder.
Related: Express Entry Canada 2026 — New Categories, CRS Scores & What Every Applicant Must Know
Permanent Residents — What the 380,000 Target Means by Category
The 380,000 permanent resident target for 2026 is divided across four broad categories. Here is exactly how those spots are allocated and what it means for each type of applicant.
Economic Immigration — 64 Per Cent of All Admissions
Economic admissions make up 64 per cent of the total by 2027-2028, driven by Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. This is the highest proportion of economic immigration in the program’s history.
In practical terms, approximately 240,000 of Canada’s 380,000 permanent resident spots in 2026 are reserved for economic immigrants — skilled workers, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and others who Canada has determined will contribute directly to the economy.
Federal High Skilled (Express Entry): The Federal High Skilled category is allotted 109,000 permanent resident admissions in 2026, covering the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
Provincial Nominee Program: The PNP target is 91,500 permanent resident admissions in 2026, representing a significant increase from the 55,000 allocated under the 2025-2027 plan — a 66 per cent expansion.
Atlantic Immigration Program: 4,000 admissions across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland.
Economic Pilots (Caregivers, Agri-Food): Approximately 10,000 combined admissions across caregiver and agricultural streams.
Related: Provincial Nominee Program Canada 2026 — Complete Guide
Family Reunification — Approximately 80,000 to 84,000 Admissions
Family-class admissions remain around 80,000 to 84,000 per year under the 2026-2028 plan, but the Parents and Grandparents Program has been cut sharply from 24,500 in 2025 to 15,000 per year from 2026 onward — a nearly 40 per cent reduction.
Spousal and partner sponsorship remains the largest component of family immigration and is largely unchanged. The PGP cut is the significant shift — families hoping to sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residence will face a much smaller available pool in 2026 and beyond.
For families planning to sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residence: The sharp reduction in PGP spots makes this significantly more competitive in 2026. The Super Visa — which allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry — remains an option for extended visits that does not depend on the PGP lottery.
Refugees and Protected Persons — 13 Per Cent of Admissions
Canada remains committed to refugee resettlement and protected persons, dedicating 13 per cent of all permanent admissions to these streams. The 2026 target is 56,200 admissions for refugees, protected persons, and humanitarian cases.
A major one-time initiative is included in the plan: The transition of 115,000 protected persons already in Canada to permanent residence — one of the largest single regularisation initiatives in Canadian immigration history.
Humanitarian and Compassionate — Approximately 6,900 in 2026
The Humanitarian and Compassionate stream covers individuals already in Canada who would face hardship if required to leave. Typical cases involve people with strong family or community ties but no formal immigration pathway. The 2026 target is 6,900 admissions, falling to 5,000 in 2027 and 2028.
The Temporary Resident Cuts — The Most Dramatic Change
This is where the 2026 plan creates the most significant disruption for people currently in Canada or planning to come temporarily.
The number of new temporary residents will fall by more than 288,000 from 2025 to 2026 — a cut of about 43 per cent, bringing the temporary share of the population below 5 per cent by 2027.
Targets for new temporary resident arrivals are set at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028. These figures represent new temporary worker and student arrivals to Canada.
International Students — 49 Per Cent Cut
International student permits are being significantly reduced, with annual intakes expected to fall from roughly 305,000 in 2025 to 155,000 in 2026 — a 49 per cent decrease.
For prospective international students, this means significantly higher competition for available study permits. Approval rates are falling. Recent data from Canada’s immigration department indicates a sharp increase in study permit refusals, particularly for applicants from certain countries.
For students already in Canada on valid study permits, your existing status is not affected by these intake targets. The cuts apply to new arrivals, not current students.
What this means if you are planning to study in Canada: Apply early. Ensure your letter of acceptance is from a designated learning institution (DLI). Have strong financial documentation. Be specific about your study plan and how it connects to your career goals. Refusal rates are higher in 2026 — weak applications that might have been approved in previous years are being refused.
Temporary Foreign Workers — Significant Reduction
New temporary foreign worker arrivals are down by about 50 per cent compared to 2024.
The government is deliberately tightening the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program, requiring employers to demonstrate stronger domestic recruitment efforts before LMIA-supported hiring of foreign workers is approved.
Francophone Immigration — Growing Priority
The overall French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec represent the number of admissions required to meet the 9 per cent target in 2026, 9.5 per cent target in 2027, and 10.5 per cent target in 2028 of overall permanent resident admissions. These targets are for admissions outside Quebec.
Canada aims to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 10.5 per cent by 2028 and is targeting 12 per cent by 2029 to support French-speaking communities across Canada.
For French speakers applying to Canada: The French-language priority is creating a genuine advantage across multiple immigration streams. Express Entry French-language draws are running at CRS cut-offs as low as 379-393 — the most accessible pathway in the system. PNP streams in provinces like New Brunswick are holding dedicated Francophone draws. If you speak French, this is an advantage worth maximizing in your application.
The 115,000 Regularisation Initiative — Who It Helps
This is one of the most human elements of the 2026-2028 plan and one of the least-discussed.
Canada has launched a one-time regularisation initiative for 115,000 protected persons, recognizing their existing community ties and contributions. This is one of the largest single regularisation initiatives in Canadian immigration history.
Additionally, the In-Canada Workers Initiative is providing a pathway for up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers currently in Canada to transition to permanent residence — a separate but parallel one-time measure.
Together these two initiatives represent Canada acknowledging the large number of people who have built genuine lives in the country as temporary residents and working to provide them with pathways to permanency.
The Full Numbers at a Glance — 2026 Immigration Targets
| Category | 2026 Target | Change From 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Permanent Residents | 380,000 | Down from 395,000 |
| Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) | 109,000 | Similar to 2025 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 91,500 | Up 66% from 55,000 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | Similar to 2025 |
| Family Reunification | 80,000-84,000 | Slightly down |
| Parents and Grandparents Program | 15,000 | Down 40% from 24,500 |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | 56,200 | Maintained |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate | 6,900 | Down from previous |
| New Temporary Residents (total) | 385,000 | Down 43% from 2025 |
| New International Students | 155,000 | Down 49% from 305,000 |
| Economic Class Share by 2028 | 64% | Up from 59% |
Source: IRCC 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
What This Plan Means For You — Based on Your Situation
You are applying through Express Entry: The Federal High Skilled allocation of 109,000 spots is strong. Category-based draws at lower CRS cut-offs continue. The system is working but competitive at the general pool level. If your CRS score is below 508, focus on category-based draws or PNP.
You are pursuing a provincial nomination: The 66 per cent expansion of PNP to 91,500 spots is the biggest opportunity in the entire plan. More invitations, more draws, more provinces hiring aggressively. This is your moment.
You are sponsoring parents or grandparents for permanent residence: The PGP cut to 15,000 spots makes the lottery significantly more competitive. Consider the Super Visa for long-stay visits while waiting for PGP availability.
You are an international student planning to come to Canada: Apply early with a strong application. Refusal rates are higher in 2026. Ensure your DLI is designated and your financial documentation is complete. Your study permit pathway to PR through Express Entry still exists — but starts with getting here first.
You are a temporary foreign worker in Canada: The In-Canada Workers Initiative may apply to you if you have a PR application through an eligible PNP or pilot program and have lived outside a major city for two years. Check the TR to PR guide for your eligibility.
You speak French: Your advantage across the entire system has never been larger. French-language Express Entry draws at CRS 379-393. Dedicated Francophone PNP streams. The 10.5 per cent Francophone target by 2028 creating sustained priority.
Related: IRCC Processing Times May 2026 — What Changed and What It Means for Your Application
The Public Consultation — Your Voice in the Next Plan
IRCC has officially opened the 2026 consultations on immigration levels, running from May 12 to June 14, 2026. Canada is giving the public a direct say in how the next levels plan is shaped. Amir Ismail And Associates
If you have views on Canada’s immigration targets — as a newcomer, a Canadian citizen, an employer, or a community organization — the consultation closes June 14, 2026.
Submit your input at: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2024-2026.html
Sources: IRCC — Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan | Parliamentary Budget Office Report — February 26, 2026 | Clark Hill PLC Immigration Analysis | immigration.ca levels analysis | Data current as of May 23, 2026.
Have a correction? Email [email protected]
How does the 2026 immigration plan affect your situation? Are you a student, worker, or permanent resident applicant navigating these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments — and send this to anyone planning to come to Canada or currently in the system.
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