Canada has unveiled a revised Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2025 to 2027. This new plan marks a significant departure from the previous strategy, prioritizing sustainability and targeted adjustments to immigration categories. In this article, we delve into the key changes and compare them to the 2024-2026 plan.
What Are the New Immigration Targets for Permanent Residence?
The new Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 takes a more conservative approach, reducing the annual immigration target from the ambitious 500,000 set for 2024-2026. This shift reflects a need to ensure that Canada’s infrastructure and resources can adequately support the incoming population. Below are the current immigration levels targets for Canada permanent residents:
- 2025 Immigration Target: 395,000 newcomers
- 2026 Immigration Target: 380,000 newcomers
- 2027 Immigration Target: 365,000 newcomers
Economic Category Reductions
While economic immigration has historically been a major driver of Canada’s immigration, the 2025-2027 plan significantly reduces the number of economic immigrants. This shift is particularly evident in programs like the Federal Business stream, which sees a dramatic decrease in target admissions. The government’s decision to lower these targets aims to balance economic growth with the capacity to manage infrastructure and labor market demands.
- 2025: 232,1500
- 2026: 229,750
- 2027: 225,350
Prioritizing In-Canada Admissions
The 2025-2027 plan prioritizes individuals already living in Canada. The “In-Canada Focus” category, which targets 82,980 admissions in 2025, aims to streamline the immigration process for those who are already familiar with the country. This shift away from overseas applicants, especially in federal high-skilled categories, reflects a desire to support individuals who have already established connections in Canada.
- 2025: 82,000
- 2026: 75,830
- 2027: 70,930
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains a vital pathway for economic immigration. However, the 2025-2027 plan sets a more conservative target of 55,000 admissions per year, compared to the previous plan’s target of 120,000 in 2025 and 2026. This adjustment aims to balance regional immigration needs with the overall reduction in economic immigration targets.
- 2025: 55,000
- 2026: 55,000
- 2027: 55,000
Family Immigration
The number of immigrants admitted through family reunification programs is being reduced. The target for spouses, partners, and children is decreasing from 84,000 in 2026 to 61,000 by 2027. Similarly, the number of parents and grandparents admitted is being lowered from 34,000 to 20,000. While family reunification remains important, these adjustments reflect Canada’s overall strategy to manage immigration levels.
- 2025: 94,500
- 2026: 88,000
- 2027: 81,000
Refugees and Protected Persons
While Canada remains committed to refugee resettlement, the number of refugees and protected persons admitted is being reduced. The target decreases from 72,750 in 2026 to 54,350 by 2027. This reduction affects all refugee categories, including government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees. This adjustment is necessary to balance humanitarian obligations with the limitations of Canada’s housing and healthcare systems.
- 2025: 58,350
- 2026: 55,350
- 2027: 54,350
Canada Temporary Resident Targets FY 2025-2027
Canada’s 2025-2027 Temporary Residence Levels Plan aims to manage the number of temporary residents, including international students and workers. The plan targets 673,650 new temporary residents in 2025, with a decrease to 516,600 in 2026 and a slight increase to 543,600 in 2027.
A significant portion of these targets is allocated to temporary workers, primarily through the International Mobility Program (IMP), which accounts for 285,750 arrivals in 2025. Additionally, 305,900 student permits will be issued annually.
By managing the number of temporary residents, the government aims to balance economic growth with the capacity of public services and infrastructure.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |
| Overall Arrivals | 673,650 | 516,600 | 543,600 |
| 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 |
Work and Study Permits
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan is the first to include targets for temporary residents, such as international students and workers on work permits. This new approach aims to strategically manage both permanent and temporary immigration, recognizing the significant impact temporary residents have on housing, infrastructure, and the labor market. By setting specific targets, the government can better balance the influx of temporary residents with Canada’s resources and capacity.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
