Canada's new immigration plan 2026-2028

Canada has just unveiled a new immigration plan for 2026–2028.
There are many changes in it. Some open up new opportunities, while others create serious restrictions. If you are thinking about moving to Canada or obtaining permanent residency, read until the end. We will explain how to use the new rules to your advantage.

So, on November 4, the Canadian government announced its plans for issuing both permanent residence and temporary permits for study and work for the next three years.

Canada is setting a stable target of 380,000 permanent residents per year for all three years. This differs from the previous plan, where the numbers were gradually decreasing. We consider this excellent news, because many people expected the opposite. Under the previous plan, 395,000 permanent residents were planned for 2025, then 380,000 for 2026, and only 365,000 for 2027. Now we see a stable 380,000 every year until 2028 inclusive.

What does this mean for you? Predictability. You can plan your immigration knowing the exact numbers for the coming years. For provinces and employers, this also provides clarity and certainty in planning.

Now let’s move to the negative side.
The government has seriously focused on reducing the number of temporary residents — students and workers. If 673,650 new temporary visas were planned for 2025, in 2026 this number drops to only 385,000. That is a decrease of almost 43%. In 2027 and 2028, the numbers will be even lower — 370,000.

For students, the quota is reduced to 155,000 new study permits in 2026 and 150,000 in the following years.
For temporary workers, the numbers are 230,000 in 2026 and 220,000 in 2027–2028.

Why such dramatic changes? Let’s look at the reasons behind these radical measures.
In 2018, temporary residents made up only 3.3% of Canada’s population. By 2024, this figure had more than doubled to 7.5%. This created unprecedented pressure on housing, healthcare, and schools.

The government set a goal to reduce the share of temporary residents to below 5% by the end of 2027. And the results are already visible. Asylum applications have dropped by one third. The arrival of new temporary workers has decreased by approximately 50%, and new international students by 60% compared to 2024. In this way, the government is trying to regain control over the system.

Now let’s talk about what truly opens up opportunities.
The share of economic immigration will increase from 59% in 2025 to 64% by 2027–2028. In concrete numbers, this means 239,800 spots under economic programs in 2026 and 244,700 in 2027 and 2028. This includes federal programs for highly skilled professionals, provincial nominee programs, pilot programs, and caregiver categories for children and seniors.

Why is this important for you?
If you are a qualified specialist, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare or skilled trades, your chances are increasing. The government is clearly prioritizing economic immigrants who can help build a strong economy.

Canada is not forgetting other categories either.
Family immigration is the next point.Family immigration will receive 84,000 spots in 2026 and 81,000 in 2027–2028, which is approximately 21–22% of the total. This includes reunification with spouses, partners, children, as well as parents and grandparents.

For refugees, protected persons, and humanitarian categories, 56,200 spots are allocated in 2026 and 54,300 in 2027–2028. Canada continues to uphold its humanitarian commitments at approximately 14–15%.

If you speak French, you gain a serious advantage.
Canada has set a strategic goal of reaching 12% francophone immigration outside Quebec by 2029. The new plan provides for gradual growth: 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028. This equals approximately 30,000–35,000 francophone immigrants per year.

In 2024, this indicator already reached 7.2%, exceeding the target of 6%. Out of 30,550 francophone immigrants, the majority — 25,195 people — arrived through economic programs. An important point is that francophone immigration is primarily focused on the economic category.

If you already speak French, this is your trump card. If not, it is easy to fix. 

If you are already in Canada as a temporary worker, additional opportunities open up for you.
The government is planning a one-time measure to accelerate the transition of 33,000 work permit holders to permanent resident status in 2026 and 2027. The reason is simple: these workers are already established in their communities, pay taxes, and help build the economy.

Moreover, it is expected that over 40% of all new permanent residents in 2025 will be students or workers already in Canada. This shows a clear government priority to favor those who have already integrated into Canadian society.

It is also planned to grant permanent resident status to protected persons over the next two years, as most of them cannot return to their countries of origin.

Pay attention to regional programs.
They accounted for 45% of economic admissions in 2024. These include provincial nominee programs, Atlantic immigration programs, and pilot programs for rural and francophone communities. These programs are specifically designed to respond to regional labor market needs and stimulate population growth outside major cities.

If you are willing to move to a smaller city or rural area, you may gain additional advantages. For example, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot admitted 4,070 people in 2024 across eleven communities in Canada. Although this program has ended, it has been replaced by new pilot programs.

Let’s summarize and move to practical conclusions.
The new plan creates a more predictable system with clear targets for three years ahead. Stabilization at 380,000 permanent residents provides certainty, but there is also a downside. The reduction in temporary visas means tougher competition. If you plan to come as a student or temporary worker, prepare your application as carefully as possible — every detail matters.

At the same time, the increase in economic immigration to 64% opens more opportunities for qualified specialists, especially those with experience in critical sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, and IT. This is not a formality. Professional preparation of applications under the new conditions is not just important — it is critically important. Mistakes can cost you years of waiting.

If you are seriously considering immigration to Canada and want to understand which programs suit you under the new plan, sign up for a personal consultation.