Maple News reports that the Government of Canada has unveiled its new Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, introducing a fresh focus on temporary residents—including international students—for the first time in the plan’s history. This move signals a more balanced approach to immigration that considers both temporary and permanent residents as part of the nation’s long-term strategy.
Announced on October 24, the updated plan continues Canada’s tradition of setting annual goals for permanent resident admissions across family, economic, and humanitarian categories. However, what sets this year apart is the formal inclusion of targets for temporary residents—most notably, international students and temporary foreign workers.
According to federal projections, Canada aims to admit 305,900 new international students each year from 2025 through 2027. These figures are based solely on new arrivals and do not include students renewing their study permits from within the country.
Interestingly, the plan outlines a decreasing trend in the number of incoming temporary foreign workers. Worker entries are expected to taper down to 210,700 in 2026 before slightly rising to 237,700 in 2027, from a high of 367,750 in 2025. This shift means that, by 2026 and 2027, international students will make up a larger share of the temporary resident population than work permit holders.
In line with the country’s broader immigration goals, the plan also emphasizes boosting permanent residency transitions for those already living in Canada. This includes international students and work permit holders who may apply through pathways such as the Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Programs. The plan’s “in-Canada focus” intends to ease pathways to permanent status for temporary residents already contributing to Canadian society and the economy.
While the Immigration Levels Plan provides firm targets for 2025, the figures for 2026 and 2027 remain notional and will be reviewed and finalized annually by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) each November.
As Canada continues to navigate post-pandemic labor market needs and population growth strategies, the 2025–2027 immigration plan reflects a measured but inclusive approach. For international students, the consistent intake targets and enhanced pathways to permanence suggest a more stable and transparent future.
Maple News will continue to monitor how these changes unfold and what they mean for both prospective and current international students in Canada.