The moment many aspiring immigrants have been waiting for has arrived: On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan as part of Budget 2025. Under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration, this plan prioritizes sustainable growth, economic contributions, and system capacity amid ongoing debates on housing and infrastructure. With permanent resident (PR) targets locked at lower levels and new pathways for temporary residents, it signals a strategic pivot toward quality immigration. At Worldbridge, we’re dissecting the details to guide students, workers, and families through these shifts—whether you’re eyeing Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or study routes to PR.
Core Targets: A Focus on Stability and Economic Priorities
The plan stabilizes PR admissions at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028—a modest decrease from 2025’s 395,000, representing about 0.9% of Canada’s population. This equates to a 21% overall cut from 2024’s 500,000, emphasizing long-term balance. Breakdown by category:
- Economic Immigrants: 239,800 annually (63% of total), targeting skilled workers in high-demand sectors like healthcare, trades, STEM, and French-language proficiency to fuel economic recovery.
- Family Reunification: 83,000 per year (22%), supporting spouses, partners, children, and parents/grandparents without major changes.
- Humanitarian and Refugees: 57,200 (15%), upholding Canada’s global commitments to protected persons and resettled refugees.
Temporary resident volumes remain capped at 673,650 for 2026, aiming to reduce their share to 5% of the population by easing pressures on services. A standout addition: A dedicated pathway for 33,000 work permit holders to gain PR by 2027, rewarding those already integrated and contributing to the workforce.
Key Changes: Tighter Controls and New Pathways
This iteration builds on 2025’s reductions with targeted refinements:
- International Student Caps Slashed: Study permits drop to 155,000 annually from 2026—roughly half previous levels—to align with housing and educational capacity. This impacts May and September 2026 intakes, with stricter financial proofs and program requirements. Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) remain crucial for PR, but eligibility ties tighter to labor market needs.
- Express Entry and PNPs Enhanced: Economic streams dominate, with PNPs steady at ~55,000 but flexible for regional boosts (e.g., recent top-ups for Nova Scotia and Alberta). Express Entry will ramp up category-based draws, favoring in-Canada applicants and Francophones—great for the latter with targets rising to 9.5% in 2026 and 10% in 2027-2028 outside Quebec.
- Temporary Worker Adjustments: Caps on low-wage workers persist, with the new PR pathway for 33,000 prioritizing skilled contributors in essential sectors.
These moves follow extensive consultations, with 63% of Canadians supporting managed immigration.
Implications for Applicants: Strategic Opportunities Ahead
For skilled professionals, the economic focus means stronger chances via Express Entry—boost your CRS with French skills or provincial nominations. Students should target affordable programs in priority fields for smoother PGWP-to-PR transitions. Families see steady support, while temporary residents gain a clear ladder to permanence.
At Worldbridge, our experts are updating strategies to match these targets from loan-assisted studies to PNP applications.
Let Worldbridge Immigration Services be your guide to a successful future in Canada
Contact us:
Website: www.theworldbridge.ca
Email: info@theworldbridge.ca
Phone/WhatsApp: +1-416-727-7766
Social media: @worldbridgeHQ
