Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has shown its new 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan represents a fundamental change from expansion to consolidation within Canada’s immigration system. The new plan fine-tunes admission targets to better match the country’s housing capacity, healthcare infrastructure, and educational resources.

Government wants to reduce temporary population below 5%

The federal government has pushed back its timeline to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population. The new goal is to bring temporary residents to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. This is a year later than first announced. The target has also become stricter, changing from 5% to “below 5%”.

The government will take strong action to reach this goal. They will cut down temporary resident arrivals substantially. The plan sets targets at 385,000 for 2026 and drops them further to 370,000 for both 2027 and 2028. These numbers are 43% lower than the 2025 target and about 25% below what last year’s immigration plan projected.

Recent numbers show how big this challenge is. Statistics Canada’s Q3 2025 estimates show non-permanent residents make up about 7.3% of Canada’s total population. The government’s target means reducing this number by more than one million within two years. This suggests major changes ahead for foreign nationals now in Canada.

Permanent resident admissions stabilized at 380,000 annually

The government will keep permanent resident admissions steady at 380,000 per year from 2026 through 2028. The planning range sits between 350,000 and 420,000 annually. This shows a small 4% drop from the 2025 target of 395,000.

Notwithstanding that, actual permanent resident numbers might be higher in the near future. The government plans to speed up approvals for about 115,000 Protected Persons who are already on their way to permanent residency over 2026 and 2027. This could push actual permanent resident admissions up to 437,500 in 2026. The government will also help 33,000 temporary foreign workers become permanent residents in 2026 and 2027.

Keeping permanent resident admissions below 1% of Canada’s total population shows a careful strategy. This helps manage pressures on housing, services, and infrastructure across the country.

 

Economic immigration to make up 64% of total PRs

The plan makes economic immigration the life-blood of Canada’s future immigration strategy. Economic immigration will make up 64% of all permanent resident admissions by 2027 and 2028. These are the highest numbers seen in decades.

This approach will bring in about 244,700 permanent residents yearly through economic streams. Most will come through Federal High Skilled programs and Provincial Nominee Programs. Federal High Skilled category will accept 109,000 people in 2026, growing to 111,000 in both 2027 and 2028.

This new direction shows the government’s steadfast dedication to bringing in talent that fills crucial labor gaps in high-demand jobs that complement Canadian workers. The government still supports family reunification and humanitarian cases, though these programs will become smaller in comparison.

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan clearly shows Canada’s move toward an environmentally responsible, economically focused immigration system that carefully balances growth with infrastructure capacity.

Government Introduces Two-Stage Immigration Pathway

Canada’s move toward economic immigration marks a fundamental change in how the country manages its immigration system. The country now uses a two-stage model that has gained prominence over the last several years.

Temporary status as a stepping stone to permanent residence

The federal government now accepts a two-stage immigration model. Foreign nationals first come as temporary residents—usually as workers or students—before they become permanent residents. This approach has grown a lot. Half of all new permanent residents in 2023 had already lived in Canada as temporary residents. The numbers tell an interesting story: more than one-third of all new permanent residents went through this two-step selection process in the late 2010s. This number jumped to almost 50% by 2023.

Two factors drove this growth: more temporary residents and higher transition rates. The number of work permit holders in Canada jumped from 67,000 in 2000 to 1,499,000 in 2024. Study permit holders grew from 122,600 in 2000 to 996,400 in 2024. The success rate improved too. Among first-time work permit holders, those who got permanent residency within five years rose from 30% in 2000-04 to 46% in 2015-19. Study permit holders saw similar gains, with their five-year transition rate growing from 20% to 34% in the same period.

 

Programs supporting transition: CEC, PNPs, Express Entry

Several key programs make the move from temporary to permanent status easier. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which started in 2008, focuses on candidates who have worked in Canada. Applicants need at least one year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work experience within 36 months before they apply. This work must be in occupations that fall under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Provincial Nominee Programs have become more important too. Between 2010 and 2023, the share of all permanent residents who came through PNPs grew from 13% to 23%. The number of provincial nominees who were once temporary residents saw a big jump from 33% to 59% during this time. Each province runs its own streams that target specific groups like students, business people, and skilled or semi-skilled workers.

Express Entry works as the management system for these economic pathways. It handles applications for three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The CEC gives special benefits to people with Canadian experience—they don’t need to prove they have settlement funds and their applications usually get processed faster.

Why Canadian experience is prioritized in selection

This two-stage approach benefits both Canada and the applicants. The government faces less risk because candidates have already showed they can integrate, work, pay taxes, and settle well. Studies by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Statistics Canada, and academics show that skilled workers with previous Canadian experience find jobs faster.

The two-step process became the main path for principal applicants in the economic class by 2023. Three-quarters of these applicants had work or study permits before. These people tend to adapt faster, earn better wages, and can fill job openings right after they become permanent residents.

The Canadian government wants to reduce the temporary population to less than five percent of the total population by 2027. The new immigration plan focuses on helping current temporary residents become permanent rather than bringing in many new arrivals. This strategy aims to reduce pressure on housing, settlement services, and application processing.

Canada Opens PR Pathway for 33,000 Temporary Workers

The federal government’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan includes a special program. It will help 33,000 temporary workers become permanent residents during 2026 and 2027. This new path adds to the regular 380,000 annual permanent resident target and creates extra chances for people already making Canada their home.

Who qualifies for the one-time initiative

The government has set clear goals for this special path. They want to help temporary workers who have built their lives in Canada. Candidates must show they “established strong roots in their communities, are paying taxes, and are helping to build the strong economy Canada needs”. This program focuses on people who have already adapted to Canadian society rather than new arrivals.

The complete eligibility rules are still being worked out. The announcement hints that candidates with steady jobs, good tax records, and strong community ties will get priority. Immigration experts think the requirements might match other economic programs. These could include skilled work experience in TEER categories 0-3, language skills (likely minimum CLB 5), and ongoing legal employment in Canada.

Timeline and sectors targeted by the program

This special program will run only once during 2026 and 2027. While the exact start date hasn’t been announced, experts think applications might open in late 2025 or early 2026. Processing should continue through the full two-year period.

The program will likely focus on workers in fields that need more people. Based on current priorities, this could include healthcare workers (nurses, personal support workers, allied health professionals), construction workers, farmers, tech professionals, and early childhood educators. This approach matches Canada’s bigger plan to fill specific job market gaps through immigration.

How this differs from regular PR streams

This program is quite different from normal permanent residence paths. It’s a one-time chance rather than an ongoing option. The program won’t use the Comprehensive Ranking System like Express Entry and most Provincial Nominee Programs do.

The setup looks much like Canada’s 2021 program that helped temporary residents become permanent residents. That program had spots for healthcare workers (20,000 cap), other essential workers (30,000 cap), and recent graduates (40,000 cap). The 2021 program filled up fast – spots for essential non-healthcare workers and recent graduates were gone on day one.

Applicants Must Prepare Key Documents in Advance

You need to start gathering your documents early if you want to apply through Canada’s new immigration pathways. The government gives you 60 days to submit everything after your Invitation to Apply. This timeline makes preparation vital, especially when you have programs like the temporary worker stream with 33,000 spots.

Language test results and police certificates

Language tests are the life-blood of most Canadian immigration applications. You’ll need scores from approved providers like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF Canada to prove your English or French skills. Your test results must stay valid while your application gets processed. The scores can’t be older than two years when you submit your permanent residence paperwork. You should think about retaking the test if your scores might expire before you apply.

Police certificates are another vital requirement. You and your family members who are 18 or older need these documents. The rules say you must get certificates from every country where you lived for six months straight or longer in the past ten years. Your current country’s certificate needs to be less than six months old when you apply. Since getting these documents can take time, start the process as soon as you enter the selection pool.

Proof of employment, tax filings, and community ties

Your work history needs solid proof through employment documents. Ask your employers for reference letters that show your job titles, duties, dates worked, weekly hours, and yearly pay. If you can’t get employer letters, you can use pay stubs, T4s, Record of Employment forms, and tax assessments instead. Immigration officers often call employers to confirm your work claims and check if the business is legitimate.

Tax documents prove your Canadian work experience best. Officers frequently ask for T4s and Notices of Assessment during checks. These papers show you worked legally in Canada and weren’t self-employed – this matters a lot for Canadian Experience Class eligibility.

Importance of document validity and translation rules

Different documents have different expiry dates. Language tests last two years, while police certificates from your current country must be less than six months old. Your application will fail if you submit expired documents, so tracking these dates is crucial.

Every document needs to be in English or French. If yours are in another language, submit both the original and a certified translation. Only certified professional translators or qualified non-certified professionals can translate your documents. The rules don’t allow family members, representatives, or consultants to translate, even if they’re qualified.

Tips for organizing and scanning documents

Good document management makes the application process less stressful. Keep a detailed checklist with expiry dates to stay on track. Set reminders 9-12 months before travel documents expire and 4-6 months before status documents expire. Save electronic copies somewhere safe as backup. Online applications need properly scanned documents in allowed formats. Label your translations and originals clearly.

Policy Shift Signals Long-Term Immigration Strategy

Canada’s immigration system is undergoing more than temporary adjustments. The government has launched a fundamental transformation in managing population growth and economic development.

Why Canada is reducing new temporary arrivals

The 2025 Plan will reduce the number of international students and temporary workers. This decision aims to relieve pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services. Housing affordability concerns have grown with the rising immigration population. Canadian policymakers now realize that unrestricted temporary migration could overwhelm the country’s infrastructure. The temporary resident admissions will see a sharp decline from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026. Further reductions are planned for 2027 and 2028. These changes reflect the government’s effort to bring “control, clarity, and consistency” to an immigration system that experts say expanded too fast.

How this plan supports labor market and housing goals

The new approach balances economic needs with infrastructure capacity. Canada maintains growth while tackling structural challenges by focusing on economic immigration (64% of admissions) and shifting temporary worker streams toward higher-skilled jobs. The Parliamentary Budget Office projects these changes could increase wages by 0.6% on average between 2025-2027. This could benefit domestic workers. The strategic reduction in numbers should also ease housing market pressures that have made homes less affordable nationwide.

Implications for employers and provincial programs

Businesses must adapt to this policy change. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program restrictions will make it harder to hire low-wage foreign workers. Companies need to rethink their recruitment strategies. Provincial governments have gained more influence through increased Provincial Nominee Program allocations—a change from last year’s restrictive caps. This enables regional governments to select immigrants who can fill specific local labor shortages. Companies that plan ahead and seek expert advice will better handle Canada’s changing immigration landscape.

Getting Help

Most temporary workers need help to navigate Canada’s immigration system when they seek permanent residency through new pathways. The good news is that applicants can find help at various stages of their trip.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides detailed online resources as the quickest and cheapest first option. Their website has instruction guides for most programs and a Help Center with answers to over 800 common questions. IRCC’s Client Support Center is available through web forms 24/7. You can also call them at 1-888-242-2100 to speak with live agents on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.

People living outside Canada can visit Visa Application Centers (VACs). These centers help clients in local languages, check if applications are complete, and collect biometric information. VACs charge extra fees but they make the application process easier.

Professional guidance can help throughout your immigration trip. IRCC clearly states that “using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it”. Still, a qualified representative can be a great way to get expertise. Use our legal team to answer any questions you may have about eligibility requirements, document preparation, or application strategies for this time-sensitive chance.

Government-funded settlement services are available to permanent residents, protected persons, and certain approved temporary residents who are already in Canada.

Key Takeaways

Canada’s new immigration plan creates unprecedented opportunities for temporary workers while fundamentally reshaping the country’s approach to population management and economic growth.

• 33,000 temporary workers can transition to permanent residence in 2026-2027 through a special one-time pathway outside regular immigration streams

• Canada prioritizes economic immigrants at 64% of all permanent residents by 2028, the highest proportion in decades, targeting skilled workers already integrated

• Temporary resident population will drop below 5% by 2027 through 43% admission cuts, requiring over one million people to transition or leave

• Two-stage immigration becomes the dominant pathway with nearly 50% of new permanent residents in 2023 having first lived in Canada temporarily

• Document preparation is critical for success – language tests, police certificates, and employment records must be ready before application deadlines

This strategic shift balances economic needs with infrastructure capacity, offering existing temporary workers a clear path to permanence while reducing overall immigration pressures on housing and services.