Taking a new approach to immigration
We are focusing immigration on where it delivers the greatest impact — filling labour gaps, strengthening key sectors of the economy and supporting communities across the country. Our balanced and sustainable approach will support Canada’s own workforce, while attracting and keeping the world’s best talent with the skills and experience needed to grow the economy.
The 2026 - 2028 Immigration Levels Plan reduces arrival targets for new temporary residents and stabilizes targets for permanent resident admissions. We’re also introducing additional measures that will restore balance and control of the immigration system, while providing stability to those already living, working, and contributing to our country.
As part of the development of this plan, we consulted extensively with provinces and territories, a wide variety of stakeholders and partners, as well as other federal government departments.
Temporary and permanent resident targets for 2026
To help build Canada’s long-term economic growth and support our existing domestic workforce, both temporary resident and permanent resident targets will prioritize those who fill specific labour market needs and provide the talent we need to grow the economy. Permanent economic immigration will account for 64% of all immigration in 2027 and 2028, the highest proportion in decades.
Read the overall planned admissions for 2026 - 2028
Who counts as a temporary resident (student and workers)
Targets are set for new arrivals only under temporary worker programs and the international student program.
Temporary workers
Temporary workers are foreign nationals who are authorized to work in Canada. Most temporary workers require a work permit to be able to work in Canada. Some temporary workers fill immediate labour market needs for specific employers, where qualified Canadians are not available. Others support Canada’s broader economic, cultural or other competitive interests.
There are 2 types of temporary workers:
- those under the International Mobility Program
- those under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
International students
Most international students require a study permit to study in Canada. Some also have the opportunity to work and immigrate to Canada permanently after graduation.
Snapshot of current volumes of students and temporary workers
Other categories not included
- Asylum claimants who are seeking protection in Canada as they are entitled to have their claim assessed. We can’t control these volumes like we do with other programs
- Work or study permit extensions or change of status from within Canada
- Seasonal workers who enter and leave Canada within the same year
- Visitors into the country, including
- tourists or those travelling through Canada
- business people and academics
- family and friends visiting Canada
Who counts as a permanent resident
Permanent resident categories include:
Economic (work)
63% of total admissions for 2026
Canada prioritizes economic immigration, welcoming people and their families who bring valuable skills and experience to strengthen our economy. These people are selected through economic immigration programs, including the Federal High-Skilled and the Provincial Nominee Program. Economic immigrants contribute meaningfully to our communities by addressing labour shortages across key industries and sectors. Some of these programs focus on bringing people to fill regional labour market gaps.
Family
22% of total admissions for 2026
The family category supports the reunification of families. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor family members to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents, including:
- spouses, partners, and dependent children
- parents and grandparents
- other relatives in special circumstances
Refugees and protected persons, Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other
15% of total admissions for 2026
Refugees identified for resettlement abroad are referred by the United Nations Refugee Agency, private sponsors and other referral partners
Protected persons are people who
- have been recognized as needing protection by the independent Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or
- have been granted protection through IRCC’s pre-removal risk assessment process
The Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category is also part of our efforts to support those affected by international conflicts, crises, natural hazards and other situations. These initiatives go beyond our regular programs to address the urgent needs of people facing extraordinary circumstances.
155,000
new student arrivals
49% fewer than last year’s target
230,000
new temporary worker arrivals
37% fewer than last year’s target
380,000
new permanent residents
4% fewer than last year’s target
Focusing on the skills and people that build Canada
We are focusing on attracting the best talent in the world to build our economy and to address labour market shortages in specific sectors.
Targeting top talent
To help make Canada a top destination for global talent, we will:
- prioritize bringing talent to key sectors to support our economy
- retain top talent through expanding faster processing and streamline 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
That includes graduate students who often play a critical role in research and innovation and go on to remain in Canada permanently.
Prioritizing highly skilled workers in key sectors in Canada, like:
- emerging technologies
- health care
- skilled trades
One-time initiatives starting in 2026
We will also implement two one-time initiatives. These initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to provide stability for those already living, working and contributing to our country, while also recalibrating the system to more sustainable levels.
Offering stability to those with protected status
A one-time, two-year initiative (in 2026 and 2027) to recognize eligible protected persons in Canada as permanent residents and process applications from those who have been recognized as needing protection by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or by IRCC.
Approximately 115,000
applications over 2 years for individuals who have been recognized as needing protection
Accelerating permanent residence for select skilled workers
A one-time, two-year initiative (in 2026 and 2027) to fast track permanent residence for skilled temporary workers who are already contributing to communities, and working in Canada in specific in-demand sectors – with a focus on those in rural areas.
33,000
skilled temporary workers will transition to permanent residence over 2 years
Meeting our commitments to Canadians on immigration
Controlling immigration numbers will help ease pressures on our housing, services and infrastructure. We have made concrete commitments to make sure that immigration supports and strengthens our communities, and contributes to specific sectors and the overall economy.
Our Levels Plan and one-time initiatives will help us achieve the commitments we’ve made to Canadians.
Supporting the unique needs of our communities
The different regions of Canada have specific labour market needs and must be supported in ways that help each area thrive. We are working with provinces and territories to strengthen regional labour markets and build vibrant Francophone communities. We are also considering industries and sectors impacted by tariffs and the unique needs of rural and remote communities.