Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028: What It Means for You
- Tiffany Chia
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Published: November 4, 2025 | By: Tiffany Chia
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
Canada has always opened its doors to people seeking opportunity, safety, or world-class education. However, after several record years of growth, the pace of arrivals is now outstripping the country’s capacity to provide affordable housing, healthcare, and schooling.
The new Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 is designed to restore balance — keeping Canada welcoming, but making growth sustainable for everyone — you, your family, your employer, and your community.
This guide explains what’s changing and how it will affect people planning to come to Canada, newcomers already here, employers, H-1B holders in the United States, and businesses that depend on international students and workers.
If you prefer to read the blog in Traditional Chinese, please click here.
1. The Big Picture
Temporary-resident numbers doubled in just six years — from 3.3 % of Canada’s population in 2018 to 7.5 % in 2024. That unprecedented increase strained housing and services.
To address this, Canada will stabilize permanent-resident (PR) targets and reduce temporary-resident (TR) numbers.
Key shift: the share of economic immigrants rises from 59 % to 64 %, strengthening Canada’s focus on labour-market needs.
These targets are calibrated to keep PR arrivals under 1 % of Canada’s population beyond 2027 and reduce total temporary residents to under 5 % by the end of 2027.
2. Permanent Resident Targets (2026 – 2028)
What does the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028 means for you:
Express Entry and PNP remain the core pathways to PR — steady but competitive.
Family Sponsorship continues with finite capacity — apply early and error-free.
Protected Persons already in Canada will be granted PR through a one-time two-year initiative.
Up to 33 000 work-permit holders will transition to PR in 2026–2027.
French-speaking immigration outside Quebec is expanding (see Section 7).
3. Temporary Resident (Work Permit + Study Permit) Targets
What this means for you:
Fewer new permits mean more selective approval for study and work permits.
Programs aligned with labour shortages (healthcare, construction, advanced industries) will have an edge.
If you’re already in Canada on PGWP or TFWP/IMP, start your PR planning now.
Policy note: The TR target reduction costs the government $168.2 million over four years (from 2026-27) and $35.7 million ongoing — mainly from lost fee revenue.
4. How This Affects You
If You Plan to Come to Canada
Be strategic — select study programs or jobs that lead to in-demand skills. Strong language scores and complete documentation matter more than ever.
If You’re Already Here (Students or Workers)
You’re in a good position. Those already in Canada will have smoother TR→PR pathways. Keep status valid, maintain proof of funds and employment, and monitor Express Entry and PNP draws.
If You’re a Canadian Employer
Expect tighter controls on temporary workers but greater predictability for PR.
Review roles under NOC 2021.
Keep records for LMIA / IMP compliance.
Support staff toward PR to reduce turnover.
The plan also considers industries affected by tariffs and the unique needs of rural and remote communities.
If Your Job or Business Depends on International Students
Education institutions, landlords, retail, and service businesses may see slower growth as study-permit caps tighten. Now is the time to diversify and build long-term resilience.
If You’re on H-1B in the U.S.
Canada will soon launch an accelerated pathway for H-1B holders. Start preparing documents — language tests, reference letters, transcripts, and Express Entry eligibility checks — to move quickly once details are released.
5. Foreign Credential Recognition & Labour Shortages
A new Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund ($97 million over five years from 2026-27) will improve the fairness and speed of credential recognition in health and construction sectors. If you’re a regulated professional (nurse, engineer, tradesperson), begin your licensing process early.
6. Research & Innovation Talent
Canada will recruit over a thousand highly qualified international researchers, while funding new research chairs, infrastructure, and support for international doctoral students, post-docs, and assistant professors.
Funding at a glance:
$1 billion over 13 years (from 2025-26) for accelerated research chairs.
$400 million over 7 years (from 2025-26) for research infrastructure.
$133.6 million over 3 years (from 2026-27) to bring top doctoral and post-doctoral fellows to Canada.
Up to $120 million over 12 years (from 2026-27) to recruit international assistant professors.
7. French-Speaking Immigration Outside Quebec
The target for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec will rise from 9 % in 2026 to 10.5 % in 2028. If you speak French — even as a second language — take the TEF or TCF to qualify for French-priority draws or provincial streams. Start learning French now if you would like to be eligible for the French Language Proficiency Express Entry Draws.
8. Action Steps to Stay Ahead
1️⃣ Book language tests early (English and French).
2️⃣ Collect documents now — degrees, employment letters, IDs, police certificates.
3️⃣ Map your timeline for study permit, work permit, and PR transition.
4️⃣ Employers: plan recruitment 12 months ahead and budget for compliance.
5️⃣ Businesses: if you depend on students or newcomers, diversify and build retention strategies.
9. Policy Notes & Fiscal Impacts
TR target reduction: $168.2 million over four years (from 2026-27) + $35.7 million ongoing (loss of fee revenue).
Protected Persons PR initiative: $120.4 million over four years (from 2026-27) for IRCC & CBSA processing (partly fee-offset).
TR→PR transition of 33 000 workers: $19.4 million over four years (from 2026-27) (partly fee-offset).
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1️⃣ Is Canada reducing immigration?
No — Canada is rebalancing. PR levels stay at 380 k per year through 2028 while temporary entries slow for sustainability.
2️⃣ Will Express Entry continue?
Yes. Economic immigration remains the priority with category-based draws and targeted selections.
3️⃣ I’m on PGWP / a work permit — what now?
Maintain status, document your experience, and follow Express Entry and PNP draw updates.
4️⃣ Are study permits harder to get?
Yes. Choose credible DLIs and career-linked programs, show clear intent and proof of funds.
5️⃣ How does this affect employers?
Recruitment will slow but become more predictable. Compliant employers will benefit.
6️⃣ Will businesses tied to international students feel impact?
Yes — expect moderate declines in international-student-driven revenue. Plan ahead.
7️⃣ How does French help me?
French skills boost CRS points and open exclusive draws and streams.
8️⃣ What about H-1B holders in the U.S.?
Canada is launching an accelerated pathway. Prepare now for language and eligibility requirements.
9️⃣ What’s happening with foreign credentials?
A new $97 M fund (from 2026-27) targets faster recognition in health and construction.
🔟 Do I need a consultant?
DIY is possible, but a licensed RCIC review reduces delays and errors.
11. Free Zoom Webinar — Nov 6, 2025 (Thursday) at 7 PM PST (Vancouver Time)/ 10 PM EST (Toronto Time)
Join our free Zoom webinar on Thursday, Nov 6 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Pacific Time) for a deep dive into the new plan and live Q&A on how it affects you.
You’ll learn:
How the 2026–2028 targets impact study, work and PR applications.
Realistic timelines and planning tips for students and workers.
Live Q&A
👉 Register for the Free Webinar Here 👉 Register for the Free Webinar in Chinese Here on Nov 13, 2025 (Thursday) at 7pm PST(Vancouver Time)/ 10 PM EST (Toronto Time)
Seats are limited — register early to receive the Zoom link. 🔔 Update Notice on Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028
Canada has released Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration levels plan on Nov 5, 2025.
Additional Information on providing further breakdowns to the information provided in the Immigration Level Plan 2026-2028 can be found on our latest blog
About the Author
Tiffany Chia, RCIC #R512971, is the founder of 1to1 Immigration Inc. in Vancouver, Canada. An immigrant from Singapore, Tiffany established 1to1 Immigration in 2015 to simplify the Canadian immigration journey for others. She has helped hundreds of families and professionals with Express Entry, spousal sponsorship, study permits and work permits.
Disclaimer
Canadian Immigration policies can change at any time. Information provided here is current as of November 4, 2025 and provided for general guidance only. It does not constitute legal advice. For personalized assistance, please consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.