Canada Immigration 2026–2028: What to Expect in PNP & Express Entry
What to Expect from Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
As we approach 2026, many newcomers and prospective immigrants are eagerly awaiting details about Canada’s next Immigration Levels Plan. The federal government is expected to unveil this important update on or before November 1, 2025, outlining the country’s immigration targets for the years 2026 through 2028.
This three-year roadmap offers insight into how many permanent and temporary residents Canada hopes to welcome, and it influences everything from Express Entry draws to international student enrolment and the Manitoba PNP. Let’s take a closer look at what we already know—and what we might expect—from the upcoming plan.
Key Highlights
- Permanent resident targets will continue to stabilize, with levels likely staying below 1% of Canada’s population.
- Express Entry admissions are expected to rise, focusing on economic priorities and in-Canada applicants.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets were halved last year but may increase in 2026 based on recent negotiations.
- Temporary resident admissions will likely be capped to reduce the non-permanent population to below 5%.
- Francophone immigration is a growing priority, with targets increasing annually through 2028.
- International student intake continues to be capped, with a focus on managing study permit volumes.
Stabilizing Permanent Resident Levels
The federal government has pledged to keep permanent resident admissions under 1% of the national population, which was approximately 41.65 million as of mid-2025. That sets an informal cap of 416,500 admissions per year.
In line with this, the most recent Immigration Levels Plan set targets of:
| Year | 2025-2027 Plan | 2024-2026 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 395,000 | 500,000 |
| 2026 | 380,000 | 500,000 |
| 2027 | 365,000 | – |
This marks a 20% decrease from the previous plan, suggesting the government is serious about slowing immigration growth to a more sustainable pace.
Express Entry Focus: Economic Priorities and In-Canada Applicants
Interestingly, while overall immigration targets have been trimmed, the Express Entry system—Canada’s flagship economic immigration pathway—saw an increase in admissions. The newer categories, Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus, replaced the older “Federal High Skilled” category.
| Year | Federal Economic Priorities | In-Canada Focus | Former FHS (2024-2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 41,700 | 82,980 | 117,500 |
| 2026 | 47,400 | 75,830 | 117,500 |
| 2027 | 47,800 | 70,930 | – |
This split signals a dual emphasis: attracting global talent in high-demand fields while offering permanent residence to those already contributing to the Canadian economy with temporary status.
Provincial Nominee Program: A Possible Rebound?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) saw dramatic cuts in last year’s plan—from a high of 120,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 for each of the following three years.
| Year | 2025-2027 Plan | 2024-2026 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 55,000 | 120,000 |
| 2026 | 55,000 | 120,000 |
| 2027 | 55,000 | – |
However, provinces like Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador have since negotiated increased nomination allocations for 2025. These adjustments hint at potential upward revisions for the 2026 PNP targets.
With the federal government re-engaging with provincial stakeholders, we may see a rebalancing in favour of local labour market needs across the country.
Temporary Resident Admissions: A New Direction
For the first time, last year’s Immigration Levels Plan introduced formal targets for temporary residents—such as international students and foreign workers. This came with a new policy goal: to reduce the non-permanent resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Mobility Program | 285,750 | 128,700 | 155,700 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program | 82,000 | 82,000 | 82,000 |
| Students | 305,900 | 305,900 | 305,900 |
| Total Arrivals | 673,650 | 516,600 | 543,600 |
We can expect continued scrutiny of temporary programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Amidst political pressure and recent reforms—including wage increases and caps on low-wage jobs—it’s unclear how TFWP targets will shift going forward.
Strengthening Francophone Immigration
Francophone immigration outside of Quebec is becoming a bigger focus. The government aims to gradually raise the share of French-speaking permanent residents each year:
- 2025: 8.5%
- 2026: 9.5%
- 2027: 10%
Looking ahead to 2028, the federal government is eyeing 12%—in line with recent campaign promises. To support this, IRCC has introduced several initiatives, like French-language category draws and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
What About International Students?
While international students continue to be welcomed in large numbers, the government has implemented caps on new study permit applications to manage growth. The targets for student arrivals remain steady at 305,900 per year through 2027:
| Year | International Student Arrivals |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 305,900 |
| 2026 | 305,900 |
| 2027 | 305,900 |
To enforce these limits, students must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit application—an extra step introduced to help provinces manage their intake levels more effectively.
Final Thoughts: What Lies Ahead?
While we won’t have the official numbers until the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan is released later this year, the direction is becoming clearer. Canada is shifting toward a more managed, sustainable immigration approach—focusing on economic needs, regional balance, and long-term integration success.
Whether you’re applying through Express Entry, the Manitoba PNP, or as a student or worker, staying informed and planning ahead is key. Policies are
