policy update
Canada's 2026–28 levels plan: what it means for your timeline
Annual permanent-residence admissions are planned at 380,000 through 2026–28, while new temporary-resident admissions fall. Here is what that shift means for pathway planning.
Last reviewed 2026-07-29 · Next review due 2026-08-29
What changed
Planned PR admissions held at 380,000/year; new temporary-resident targets fall.
Who it may affect
Skilled workers, students weighing a study-to-PR plan, and employers hiring temporary workers.
What to check next
Review the current departmental plan and your program's category before assuming a prior year's numbers still apply.
Canada's 2026–28 immigration levels plan holds annual permanent-residence admissions at 380,000 while targeting fewer new temporary-resident admissions — 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027–28. The economic-class share of planned admissions rises to 64% by 2027. In practice, this favours applicants who can show documented, economic-pathway readiness — Express Entry and PNP fit, legitimate employer pathways, and family reunification — over generic study-to-PR assumptions. Always confirm the current-year plan on the official source below before making a decision based on any specific number.