Managing sustainable immigration growth, boosting economic development, and integrating immigrants into local communities are top priorities as Canada prepares to announce its revised immigration levels for 2025–2027.
On 25th October, 2024 Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced new immigration plans for 2025-2027.
The levels plan features controlled targets for both permanent residents and temporary inhabitants, particularly foreign workers and students, for the first time.
By the end of 2026, the Levels Plan also backs initiatives to lower the number of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s total population. Canada’s temporary population will decline over the coming years as a result of the temporary resident reduction measures that were announced in September and this past year.
This is because a greater number of temporary residents will either depart Canada or convert to permanent residency than will arrive.
Why are these measures being implemented?
These changes reflect Canada’s response to shifts over the past year, such as implementing limits on international students and tightening eligibility for temporary workers to improve program integrity. Aiming for long-term economic stability, these adjustments help manage population growth while easing pressures on housing, infrastructure, and social services. This strategy is designed to maintain a balanced and efficient immigration system, support economic prosperity, and set up new Canadians for success, reflecting the public’s expectation for a well-regulated immigration approach.
Key Targets for Permanent Residency
Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reveals a gradual decrease in the overall permanent residency targets over these three years, starting with 395,000 admissions in 2025, dropping to 380,000 in 2026, and down to 365,000 in 2027. These adjustments aim to manage long-term immigration in line with Canada’s capacity to support and integrate newcomers effectively.
Economic immigration categories continue to be prioritized, especially through programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Emphasis is placed on economic immigrants who have a high potential to contribute to Canada’s workforce and economic landscape.
Although Canada’s government is reducing overall immigration numbers, it is boosting the share allocated to economic immigration. Economic immigration targets for 2025 have seen only a modest decrease of about 17%, from 281,000 to 232,000 admissions. Additionally, over 40% of economic immigrants are projected to come from individuals already residing in Canada as temporary residents.
The government has outlined a detailed breakdown for permanent resident admissions over the next three years, focusing on a balanced approach to support economic growth and workforce needs.
Addressing Temporary Resident Admissions
The 2025-2027 plan also focuses on controlling the number of temporary residents, marking the first time Canada has included a target for temporary resident admissions. Temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, play a crucial role in Canada’s economy; however, the government aims to set specific targets to manage the temporary resident population.
A net decrease in temporary resident numbers is projected for 2026, with goals to refine pathways for students and temporary workers transitioning to permanent residency. By adjusting these temporary resident targets, Canada hopes to strike a balance between filling labour gaps and managing population growth sustainably.
Economic Focus: Around 62% of total permanent resident admissions will be dedicated to economic immigration, with priority sectors including healthcare and trades. This emphasis is designed to help address labour shortages and promote Canada’s economic expansion.
In-Canada Applicants: Over 40% of new permanent residents in 2025 are expected to come from temporary residents already in Canada. This approach aims to simplify the shift from temporary to permanent residency, ensuring skilled and educated immigrants can continue contributing to the Canadian workforce effectively.
Temporary Residents Targets
2026 | 2027 | 2025 | |
Overall Arrival | 673,650(604,900 – 742,400) | 516,600(435,250 – 597,950) | 543,600(472,900 – 614,250) |
Workers (Total) | 367,750 | 210,700 | 237,700 |
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 |
Boosting Francophone Immigration Outside Quebec
The plan encourages the dispersion of French-speaking immigrants throughout the nation by establishing challenging targets for Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. This program ensures the expansion of Francophone communities outside of Quebec and demonstrates Canada’s commitment to linguistic diversity. The goal is consistent with Canada’s dedication to promoting and conserving Francophone culture across the country.
Scaling back of Provincial Nominee Programs
This year’s Plan has cut targets for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) admissions by about 50%:
- 2025: 55,000 – down from last year’s targets of 110,000 for 2024 and 120,000 for 2025.
- 2026: 55,000 – down from the 120,000 target in last year’s Plan.
- 2027: 55,000.
This reduction in PNP targets represents a significant shift in immigration policy on the part of the federal government.
Increase in Federal High Skilled Economic Immigration
The Canadian government is increasing its share of economic immigration through the Federal High Skilled (FHS) programs managed by Express Entry. While Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets have been reduced, FHS targets are set to grow.
For 2025, the target is 124,680 (up from the previous 110,770 in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025). For 2026, the target is 123,230, and for 2027, 118,730. These figures for FHS programs combine the “Federal Economic Priorities” and “In-Canada Focus” categories, excluding Federal Business admissions.
Unique Aspects of Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 stands out for setting specific annual targets for both permanent and temporary resident admissions—a first in Canada’s history. This plan typically releases targets on November 1, but this time, they were announced a week earlier. In 2023, Canada had about 2.5 million temporary residents, roughly 6.2% of the total population. The new plan aims to reduce temporary residents to about 5% over the next three years, reflecting a balanced approach to immigration management.
Canada’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable immigration is reflected in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. By taking a methodical approach to economic growth, community integration, and the admission of both permanent and temporary residents, Canada hopes to guarantee that immigration will continue to fortify and diversify the nation for many years to come.