Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Fewer Temporary Residents, Stronger Focus on Economic Immigration

Bassel Zoueiter
Nov 5
3 min read

The Government of Canada has released its new Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028, outlining how many newcomers will be welcomed each year and what direction the country is taking on permanent and temporary immigration.

The plan continues to position immigration as a driver of economic growth but introduces tighter management of temporary residents and a stronger focus on permanent pathways that support long-term integration.

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026

Permanent Resident Admissions:

Total: Around 380,000 new permanent residents per year from 2026 to 2028
Economic Class: ~239,800 (about 63% of total admissions)
Family Reunification: ~84,000 (about 22%)
Refugees and Humanitarian: ~56,200 (about 15%)

Temporary Resident Admissions:

The federal government is tightening the inflow of temporary residents, including both foreign workers and international students.
2026: ~385,000 total temporary residents
2027–2028: ~370,000 annually (150,000 students and 220,000 workers on average)

The government’s stated goal is to reduce the overall temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2026.

Economic Priorities

Canada is increasing the share of immigrants selected under the economic class, rising from around 59% to 64% of all newcomers. This shift emphasizes skilled workers, international graduates, and professionals who can meet labour market needs and fill shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, construction, and technology.

In addition, the government announced a pathway to permanent residence for approximately 33,000 work permit holders between 2026 and 2027, offering more stability to those already contributing to the Canadian economy.

What This Means for International Students

The number of new study permits will continue to decline following the federal cap introduced in 2025. With roughly 155,000 international students expected in 2026, institutions and agents will need to plan carefully, especially in provinces that have already reached or exceeded their allocations.

While the total volume is lower than in previous years, the focus is shifting toward quality, compliance, and better student outcomes, ensuring that students are well-supported and that study pathways lead to genuine post-graduation opportunities.

What This Means for Temporary Residents Already in Canada

For those already in Canada as temporary residents, holding a work permit, study permit, or visitor record, the new plan will affect extensions and transition pathways.

With the focus on reducing the temporary resident population, IRCC is expected to review applications for extensions more carefully and limit approvals to cases that clearly align with Canada’s long-term immigration and labour goals.

Individuals who can demonstrate continued employment, legal status, strong language skills, and intent to settle permanently will remain well-positioned for programs such as CEC and Provincial Nominee Programs. However, those relying on repeated extensions or holding permits tied to low-skilled or short-term employment may find renewals more difficult.

For temporary residents planning to stay, maintaining valid status, full documentation, and a clear plan toward permanent residence will be essential.

What This Means for French-Speaking Candidates

Among all immigration categories, programs for French-speaking applicants remain steady. The government continues to prioritize French-speaking newcomers under both the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker category and several Provincial Nominee Programs, with stable targets maintained through 2026–2028.

IRCC reaffirmed its commitment to increase the share of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec to at least 6% by 2026, building on the record levels reached in 2024 and 2025.

For candidates who can demonstrate proficiency in French and an intention to live and work outside Quebec, this remains one of the strongest and most stable immigration pathways. French-speaking applicants continue to receive priority consideration in draws and are frequently selected under targeted invitations, particularly in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

This trend highlights the growing importance of bilingualism in Canada’s immigration system. Candidates who invest in improving their French language skills can significantly strengthen their eligibility across multiple federal and provincial streams.

The Bigger Picture

The 2026–2028 Canada Immigration Levels Plan shows a balanced approach: maintaining strong immigration levels to support economic growth, while managing temporary resident numbers to address housing, infrastructure, and labour pressures.

Canada remains committed to immigration as a key pillar of national growth, but the focus is now shifting toward long-term integration, linguistic diversity, and system sustainability.

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