The recent 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan introduced by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) marks a significant shift in the country’s immigration strategy, placing a strong emphasis on in-Canada candidates such as international students and foreign workers—who are already integrated into Canadian society.
This approach not only acknowledges the contributions of individuals already residing in Canada but also aims to streamline the pathway to permanent residency for those who have already integrated into Canadian society.
This prioritization is part of a comprehensive approach to optimise economic contributions, support infrastructure demands, and address social integration challenges.
A New Era of Immigration: Focusing on In-Canada Candidates
The new plan’s “In-Canada Focus” places a strong emphasis on giving temporary foreign workers, international students, and other temporary residents who are already in Canada a path to permanent residency. This focus facilitates easier transitions to permanent residency while simultaneously utilizing their Canadian experience. By leveraging people who have already formed relationships and are familiar with Canadian culture, work norms, and language requirements, this strategy seeks to overcome labor shortages.
For many, this focus represents a more sustainable integration method. As Canada faces infrastructure pressures in sectors like housing and healthcare, prioritising in-Canada candidates can help mitigate these demands. Temporary residents already possess language proficiency, relevant work experience, and familiarity with Canadian norms, allowing them to integrate more quickly and effectively than individuals moving to Canada from abroad.
Strategic Immigration Targets for Sustainable Growth
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan adopts a measured approach to growth by targeting 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, with a gradual decrease to 365,000 by 2027. This reduction aims to balance the need for skilled immigrants with the country’s current infrastructure capabilities, ensuring that public services like healthcare, education, and housing can sustainably meet the demands of an increasing population
In 2025, IRCC planned 82,980 dedicated admission spaces for the In-Canada Focus category. The goal is to leverage their established ties to Canada and streamline their integration into the workforce and society.
In 2025, the target for the In-Canada Focus category is 82,980 new permanent residents, with a range between 39,000 (low) and 89,000 (high). This figure reflects the department’s intention to maintain flexibility, addressing economic and social needs. For 2026, the target drops slightly to 75,380, with an anticipated range from 33,000 to 82,000. In 2027, the target is set at 70,930, with a low range of 66,000 and a high range of 76,000, highlighting IRCC’s aim to balance intake with resource availability and integration support.
These targets for 2026 and 2027 are currently notional, meaning that IRCC will confirm or adjust them annually, with a final revision of each upcoming year’s target on or before November 1. This flexibility allows IRCC to adapt to evolving economic needs, infrastructure capacities, and policy changes, ensuring Canada’s immigration system remains responsive and sustainable
Economic Immigration as a Driving Force
In line with Canada’s economic growth priorities, approximately 62% of the permanent residency allocations by 2027 will be devoted to economic class immigrants. This category includes skilled workers in healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and engineering—fields where Canada is experiencing significant labor shortages. By focusing on those already in Canada, the government ensures that qualified professionals can quickly enter the workforce and address critical gaps.
Supporting Francophone Communities Outside Quebec
A unique aspect of the plan is its increased focus on Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Francophone newcomers bring linguistic diversity and support bilingual communities, enriching cultural cohesion across Canada. By 2027, IRCC aims for 10% of immigrants outside Quebec to be Francophone, promoting Canada’s bilingual identity. Supporting Francophone immigration not only strengthens the language balance but also builds on Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism and diverse communities.
Long-Term Vision: Building a Stable, Inclusive Canada
IRCC’s creation of the In-Canada Focus category aligns with a broader, long-term vision to build a stable and inclusive Canada. Recognizing the pressures on infrastructure and public resources like housing and healthcare, the Canadian government aims to balance growth with sustainability. By prioritizing candidates who are already established in Canada—such as international students and temporary foreign workers—IRCC not only supports economic needs but also addresses integration challenges more seamlessly. These individuals have already built networks, adapted to the local culture, and are familiar with Canadian job markets, making their transition to permanent residency smoother and more likely to result in long-term success.
Another central aspect of this category is IRCC’s effort to manage the number of Non-permanent Residents (NPRs) in Canada, which includes individuals on study and work permits. By 2026, the goal is to reduce the proportion of NPRs from 7% to 5% of the total population. Facilitating the shift of eligible NPRs to permanent residency supports economic needs and strengthens community stability without adding new pressures. This approach reflects Canada’s commitment to making immigration a sustainable force for the economy while considering the country’s housing and affordability constraints.
“As part of our efforts for temporary residents to transition to permanent residency, we will have more domestic draws for us and ask provinces and territories taking part in the Provincial Nominee Program to do the same with their allocations.”- Immigration Minister Marc Miller, March 21, 2024
Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized this strategy in 2024 by advocating for more “domestic” draws for candidates already in Canada through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These draws help meet annual immigration targets with candidates who are primed to integrate fully and contribute to the labor force, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity. Miller’s approach also reflects Canada’s effort to keep immigration aligned with the evolving needs of local communities, particularly in light of the affordability challenges facing Canadians.
By supporting these transitions, IRCC is crafting an immigration system that balances national needs with the well-being of both new immigrants and long-term residents. This focus on stability, inclusivity, and long-term retention reflects Canada’s vision to not only grow its population but to ensure that growth is aligned with the nation’s social and economic capacities, creating a sustainable and welcoming environment for all.
Focusing on in-Canada applicants, Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is a well-balanced approach that aims to promote social sustainability and economic progress. The plan provides a strong, inclusive vision for the future, with goals for temporary residents, lower targets for new permanent residents, and support for humanitarian admissions and family reunion. This new approach demonstrates Canada’s dedication to sustainable growth and offers both Canadians and immigrants a fair route forward.
