Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2027 to 2029 Explained

• Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents each year from 2027 to 2029, with economic immigration accounting for approximately 64% of admissions.
• Canada’s temporary resident target remains at 370,000 new arrivals annually, including 220,000 temporary workers and 150,000 international students.
• The new plan also introduces a one-time measure to help up to 200,000 people already in Canada transition to permanent residence and raises Francophone immigration targets outside Quebec.

What Is Canada’s 2027 to 2029 Immigration Levels Plan?

On November 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its new Immigration Levels Plan, outlining the number of permanent residents, temporary workers and international students Canada intends to welcome over the next three years.

The headline numbers have not changed much, but the distribution of immigration spaces tells a more interesting story. Some economic programs are receiving more places, while others are seeing reductions.

The plan continues to prioritize skilled workers, regional labour needs, family reunification and Francophone immigration outside Quebec. It also introduces a significant new measure for people who are already living in Canada and waiting to become permanent residents.

How Many Permanent Residents Will Canada Admit From 2027 to 2029?

Canada has set a target of 380,000 permanent resident admissions per year for 2027, 2028 and 2029. Economic immigration remains the largest category, accounting for 64.4% of planned admissions.

The following targets apply to each of the three years:

Source: IRCC’s 2027 to 2029 Immigration Levels Plan

Almost two-thirds of the planned permanent residence spaces are reserved for economic immigration. The remaining places are divided among family sponsorship, refugee protection and other humanitarian categories.

Although 380,000 is the annual target, the final number of admissions could fall anywhere within the government's planning range of 352,500 to 422,000. The target is therefore a planning figure rather than a fixed number of approvals.

The targets for 2028 and 2029 are provisional and may be adjusted in future immigration plans.

What Are Canada’s Temporary Resident Targets for 2027 to 2029?

Canada is also maintaining its target of 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals annually through 2029.

These arrivals are divided between temporary workers and international students.

Source: IRCC temporary resident targets

An important distinction is that these figures represent new arrivals, not the total number of temporary residents living in Canada.

They don’t include visitors, permit extensions, in-Canada work or study permit applications or asylum claimants.

By maintaining these targets, the federal government aims to balance Canada's workforce and education needs with pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services.

What Changed From Canada’s Previous Immigration Levels Plan?

Although the overall immigration targets remain unchanged, several categories have been adjusted compared with the previous 2026 to 2028 plan.

The most notable changes for 2027 include:

• Provincial Nominee Program admissions are increasing. The target has risen from 92,500 to 95,000, giving provinces and territories more space to address regional workforce needs.
• Atlantic Immigration Program admissions are increasing. The target has risen from 4,000 to 6,000, reflecting continued attention to labour shortages in Atlantic Canada.
• Federal High Skilled admissions are decreasing. The target has fallen from 111,000 to 100,000, reflecting a change in how economic immigration spaces are allocated.
• Overall targets remain stable. Canada continues to plan for 380,000 permanent residents and 370,000 new temporary residents annually.

These changes suggest a stronger emphasis on regional economic immigration, even as federal selection programs remain an important part of Canada's immigration system.

The government is also continuing work on Express Entry reforms intended to better align immigration selection with current labour market needs.

Canada Is Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside Quebec

Another important part of the new plan is Canada's commitment to welcoming more French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec.

The government has established the following targets:

• 2027: 9.5%
• 2028: 10.5%
• 2029: 12%

These percentages represent Canada's targets for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec.

The goal is to strengthen Francophone minority communities, support economic development and help maintain French-language communities across the country.

For French-speaking applicants, this continued emphasis signals that Francophone immigration will remain an important federal priority over the coming years.

The targets may also be updated following the publication of Quebec's immigration plan.

What Is Canada’s New One-Time Permanent Residence Measure for 200,000 People?

One of the biggest announcements in the new plan is a time-limited measure that could help up to 200,000 people already living in Canada transition to permanent residence.

According to IRCC’s announcement, the government is providing additional admissions space in 2027 through two groups.

Workers already in Canada

The government plans to support the transition of up to 100,000 workers already in Canada, along with eligible family members, to permanent residence.

IRCC will work with provinces and territories to identify workers who can help address regional labour shortages.

This includes additional Provincial Nominee Program opportunities and certain applicants who have already submitted applications through selected federal programs.

Humanitarian applicants already in Canada

A second group of up to 100,000 people will receive additional permanent residence processing capacity under selected humanitarian pathways.

This includes efforts to finalize applications from people who have waited years for decisions, including certain applicants under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway and humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

This measure is separate from the regular annual immigration targets. It is also distinct from previously announced initiatives involving 33,000 workers and 115,000 protected persons.

The extra spaces will also help families already in Canada stay together. This includes spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. According to IRCC’s announcement, the government hopes to bring processing times for spouse and partner applications closer to 12 months outside Quebec. However, this is a target, not a guaranteed timeline.

Importantly, the announcement doesn’t create a general application pathway for everyone currently living in Canada. The additional spaces are intended for selected immigration programs and existing application inventories.

What Does the 2027 to 2029 Plan Mean for Workers, Students, Employers and Families?

The new Immigration Levels Plan affects different groups in different ways.

For skilled workers

Economic immigration continues to receive the largest share of permanent residence admissions. However, the increase in provincial and regional allocations suggests that where someone works and which labour market needs they meet may become increasingly relevant.

For international students

Canada is maintaining a target of 150,000 new international student arrivals annually. This reflects the government's continued effort to manage student numbers while supporting Canadian educational institutions.

For Canadian employers

The plan maintains space for 220,000 new temporary workers each year. Employers will continue to have access to foreign talent through established immigration programs, while regional workforce priorities remain central to the government's strategy.

For families

Family sponsorship remains an important part of Canada's immigration system, with 81,000 permanent resident admissions targeted annually. The additional humanitarian processing measure may also help certain families already in Canada move toward permanent residence.

The new measure will also help process applications for spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents already living in Canada. The government hopes this will bring spouse and partner processing times closer to 12 months outside Quebec, although that is a goal rather than a guaranteed timeline.

The numbers show where Canada plans to direct its immigration resources. They do not tell an individual applicant whether they qualify, when their application will be processed or whether they will receive approval.

What Canada’s New Immigration Targets Mean Going Forward

Canada's latest immigration plan keeps the overall numbers steady, but the changes within those numbers are worth watching. Provincial and Atlantic programs gain more space, Francophone immigration targets rise, and selected people already living in Canada may benefit from additional permanent residence admissions.

For individuals, families and employers following Canadian immigration policy, the key is understanding how these national priorities evolve and how they affect the immigration programs available over the coming years.

Ackah Business Immigration Law continues to monitor Canadian immigration policy changes and their implications for international workers, businesses and families.

If you have questions about how Canada’s new immigration targets could affect your plans to work, live or do business in Canada, we can help you understand your options.

Book a call with one of our Client Engagement Coordinators to discuss your immigration goals and take the next step toward your future in Canada.