The headline numbers
These are the targets in IRCC's Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. The 2027 and 2028 columns are notional and can move in later plans.
| Target | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent residents, total | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| Temporary resident arrivals, total | 385,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
| New temporary workers | 230,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| New international students | 155,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Where the cuts fall
The cut is on the temporary side: new workers and new students. That is a deliberate shift. Canada is admitting roughly the same number of permanent residents while bringing in fewer people on temporary permits. For the student side in detail, see the 2026 study permit cap.
On the permanent side, the 2026 economic target is 239,800. Within it, 109,000 places go to the federal high-skilled programmes that run through Express Entry and 91,500 to the provincial nominee programmes. Family class is set at 84,000. The plan also describes a one-time measure to move up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.
What this means if you are applying
The Canadian routes still leading to permanent residence
These are the Canadian routes in Transita's catalogue that are open and lead to permanent residence. The Levels Plan does not close any of them. It changes how many places each stream has.
| Programme | Type | Gov. fee | Salary or income floor | Processing | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker | Skilled Worker | $1,570 | None published | 6–12 months | Yes |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class | Skilled Worker | $1,570 | None published | 3–6 months | Yes |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades | Skilled Worker | $1,570 | None published | 6–12 months | Yes |
| Start-up Visa | Entrepreneur | $1,860 | None published | 12–36 months | Yes |
| BC PNP Tech Pilot | Skilled Worker | $1,260 | None published | 2–5 months | Yes, about 2 years |
| Alberta Advantage Immigration Program | Skilled Worker | $1,080 | None published | 6–12 months | Yes, about 2 years |
| Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program | Skilled Worker | $360 | None published | 4–8 months | Yes, about 2 years |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Skilled Worker | $1,170 | None published | 6–12 months | Yes |
If Canada no longer fits
If your plan depended on a temporary route, compare before you commit. Our guide to alternatives for skilled workers covers Australia, Germany, the UK and others, and countries you can immigrate to without a job offer lists every route that needs no job offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada cutting immigration in 2026?
Temporary immigration, yes. IRCC's 2026-2028 Levels Plan, published November 5, 2025, sets new temporary resident arrivals at 385,000 for 2026 and 370,000 in each of 2027 and 2028. Permanent resident admissions are held at 380,000 a year.
How many permanent residents will Canada admit in 2026?
The target is 380,000, of which 239,800 are economic immigrants, including 109,000 through the federal high-skilled programmes (Express Entry) and 91,500 through provincial nominee programmes.
How many international students can come to Canada in 2026?
The Levels Plan targets 155,000 new international student arrivals in 2026 and 150,000 in each of the next two years. The separate study permit cap sets how those places are shared between provinces.
Does the plan affect Express Entry?
Express Entry feeds the federal high-skilled line, which has a 2026 target of 109,000. Fewer new temporary residents also means fewer people building Canadian experience for the Canadian Experience Class over time.
Are the 2027 and 2028 numbers final?
No. IRCC describes the 2027 and 2028 figures as notional, to be confirmed or adjusted in later plans. Treat them as the current direction, not a fixed quota.
See which of these routes fits your profile
Transita checks which Canadian permanent residence routes fit your profile, and which other countries rank higher. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: FSWP · canada.ca·FSWP success-rate data · canada.ca·CEC · canada.ca·FST · canada.ca·SUV · canada.ca·BC PNP Tech · welcomebc.ca·AAIP · alberta.ca·SINP · saskatchewan.ca·AIP · canada.ca