Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government has unveiled its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, laying out significant revisions to its permanent and temporary residency targets. The new strategy includes a sharp increase in spots for provincial nominees, while scaling back submissions under work and student visa programs, with the aim of rebalancing the nation’s immigration streams.
According to the plan, Canada is raising its 2026 target for permanent residents through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to 91,500—a 66% increase from the previous goal of 55,000. The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate based on regional labor market needs.
Meanwhile, the number of admissions through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will drop significantly. The government aims to accept just 60,000 workers via TFWP by 2026, down from the previously planned 82,000. This reflects a broader pivot away from low-wage, low-skilled temporary work streams.
The International Mobility Program (IMP), which covers workers exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessments, such as intra-company transferees, will grow to accommodate 170,000 people in 2026—a 32% increase from last year’s target of 128,700. This highlights a preference for facilitating employer-tied job mobility and high-skill talent migration.
Notably, the 2026 student permit target has been set at 155,000, nearly half of the prior plan’s 305,900. This cut comes amid growing concerns over pressure on housing and educational resources, as well as the exploitative practices faced by some international students.
Overall, the total target for temporary residents—including both workers and students—has been revised to 385,000 for 2026, a marked decrease from 673,650 in 2025 and the prior estimate of 516,600 for 2026. These reductions come after real admissions for 2025 already fell significantly, with student admissions dropping by 70% and temporary worker admissions down by 50%.
Looking ahead, the government projects a continued decline in temporary residence volumes, down to 370,000 annually in both 2027 and 2028. The shift indicates a strategic focus on stabilizing population growth and economic integration through more controlled and permanent immigration pathways.
This recalibration of Canada’s immigration framework aligns with broader national priorities—including economic sustainability, housing capacity, and targeted labor market needs—while maintaining a welcoming stance for regional and skills-based newcomers through the expanded PNP.
More analysis and updates on Canada’s evolving immigration policy will be made available by Maple News as the plan’s implementation unfolds.