Following recent changes to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, Immigration Minister confirmed that priority for permanent residence (PR) will be given to temporary residents already settled in Canada.

The revised plan sets targets for both temporary and permanent residents, focusing on facilitating the transition to PR for individuals with Canadian work experience and community connections.

Express Entry and PNP Focus

While Federal High-Skilled (Express Entry) admissions are expected to remain robust, there will be a slight decline from 124,680 in 2025 to 109,000 in 2026, before stabilizing at 111,000 for 2027 and 2028. Notably, a significant portion of the 2026 PR spots will be allocated to economic programs, benefiting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Moreover, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets are set to increase substantially, with a projected jump from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026, and further rising to 92,500 by 2027. These adjustments indicate a greater emphasis on provincial nominations for in-Canada workers and graduates seeking permanent residency.

Fast-Track PR for Temporary Residents

Two special initiatives have been introduced to expedite the transition of temporary residents to PR:

• Approximately 33,000 skilled workers, particularly those in-demand and located in rural areas, will undergo accelerated PR processing in 2026 and 2027.
• Up to 115,000 Protected Persons recognized by IRCC and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) will be granted PR status during the same period, facilitating their integration into Canada’s workforce and society.

These initiatives align with IRCC’s overarching strategy to maintain stable immigration levels while providing support to individuals already actively contributing to Canada’s labor market.