The Canadian federal government is preparing to unveil its immigration targets for both permanent and temporary residents for the year 2026.
By November 1, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will release the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining the admission goals for the upcoming years.
The government’s commitment to stabilize permanent resident levels is evident in its promise to maintain admissions below 416,500 for 2027, aligning with the population percentage threshold set during the recent election.
Comparing past plans, the government has consistently adjusted its targets, with the 2025 plan reflecting a 20% reduction in permanent residence admissions compared to 2023.
Overview of Permanent Resident Targets
The table below illustrates the progression of permanent resident admission targets over the past few years:
| Year | Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 (published 2024) | Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 (published 2023) |
| 2025 | 395,000 | 500,000 |
| 2026 | 380,000 | 500,000 |
| 2027 | 365,000 | – |
These targets encompass various immigration streams, including economic, family reunification, and humanitarian categories.
Insights on Express Entry
Despite the overall reduction in immigration targets, the Express Entry system has seen an increase in landing targets for economic immigrants, indicating a shift in focus towards this program.