Canada is approaching an important immigration policy announcement. By November 1, 2026, the federal government is expected to table its next Immigration Levels Plan, covering 2027 to 2029.
For people planning to move to Canada, the announcement could influence opportunities across economic immigration, family sponsorship, international education and temporary work.
However, there is an important distinction between what Canada has already announced and what remains undecided. The government has not yet confirmed the final immigration targets for 2029 or announced a new set of targets replacing the existing plan.
For Nigerian applicants considering Canada, this is a good time to review their options, understand the current direction of immigration policy and prepare for possible changes without making decisions based on rumours.
What Is Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan is the federal government’s roadmap for the number of permanent residents it intends to admit over the coming years.
It also includes targets for new temporary residents, such as international students and foreign workers.
The plan matters because immigration is not simply about whether a person qualifies for a visa or permanent residence programme. The government must also manage admission numbers, labour market needs, housing pressures and the capacity of public services.
The next plan will establish or confirm targets for 2027 and 2028 and provide the first official targets for 2029.
It will also offer a clearer indication of how the government intends to balance economic immigration, family reunification, humanitarian commitments and temporary migration.
What Are Canada’s Current Immigration Targets?
Until the new plan is released, applicants should use the existing 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan as the official baseline.
The current targets are:
| Immigration category | 2026 target | 2027 target | 2028 target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent resident admissions | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| New temporary resident arrivals | 385,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
The temporary resident figures cover new arrivals under the relevant temporary worker and international student programmes. They are not a cap on every person who enters Canada temporarily, and they should not be confused with the number of people already living in the country.
The current plan also aims to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
These figures remain the current planning baseline. They should not be treated as the final targets for 2027–2029 until the new plan is announced.
Could Canada Increase Its Immigration Targets?
There has been renewed discussion about whether Canada could eventually allow a controlled increase in immigration.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that the government believes the immigration system is back under control and has raised the question of when a controlled increase in population might be appropriate.
However, these comments do not amount to a confirmed increase in immigration targets.
The next Immigration Levels Plan will provide a clearer picture of the government’s actual decisions. Until then, applicants should be cautious about headlines suggesting that Canada is definitely increasing permanent residence admissions.
Even if the government raises some targets, the effect will depend on where the additional spaces are allocated.
An increase in economic immigration, for example, would not automatically mean more places for international students or temporary foreign workers. Each category has its own targets, eligibility rules and selection processes.
The practical lesson is simple: watch the final numbers and how they are distributed, not just whether the overall target rises or falls.
What Could the New Plan Mean for Express Entry Applicants?
Express Entry candidates will be particularly interested in the allocation of spaces for economic immigration.
The current plan places considerable emphasis on economic immigration, including skilled workers who can help address labour shortages and contribute to Canada’s economy.
The next plan could clarify whether the government intends to maintain that direction, adjust the number of admissions available to economic programmes or change the balance between different immigration categories.
However, the total number of permanent residents Canada plans to admit will not tell applicants exactly how many Express Entry invitations will be issued.
Permanent residence admission targets and Express Entry invitations are different measures. An invitation to apply is not itself a permanent residence admission, and not every economic immigrant enters through Express Entry.
Applicants should therefore continue monitoring actual Express Entry draws, including the draw type, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff and eligibility requirements.
Those details are more useful for assessing an individual’s immediate prospects than an overall national immigration target.
Should candidates wait before creating an Express Entry profile?
Generally, applicants who already qualify for an Express Entry programme should not assume they must wait for the new plan.
They can review their eligibility, prepare their language test results, obtain an educational credential assessment where required and ensure their work experience is properly documented.
Waiting for a new announcement could mean losing valuable preparation time.
At the same time, candidates should avoid making expensive decisions based on an assumption that a particular occupation or category will receive more invitations in 2027.
The new plan may influence the broader direction of economic immigration, but the actual selection rules will still matter.
What About Provincial Nominee Program Applicants?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another area to watch.
Provincial and territorial governments nominate eligible candidates whose skills, experience or other characteristics match their economic and demographic priorities.
Under the current 2026–2028 plan, the federal target for PNP admissions is 91,500 in 2026 and 92,500 in each of 2027 and 2028.
These are the existing targets, not a guarantee that every province will receive the same number of nomination spaces or issue invitations at the same rate.
The next plan may confirm or adjust these figures.
For applicants, provincial selection remains important because eligibility requirements vary. A candidate who does not have a competitive CRS score may still have options through a suitable provincial pathway, depending on their occupation, work experience, connections to the province and other programme requirements.
However, a provincial nomination is not automatic. Candidates must meet the relevant programme criteria, and provinces can change their priorities and selection procedures.
People exploring the PNP should assess individual provincial programmes rather than waiting for a single national announcement to determine their entire strategy.
Will Canada Reduce Opportunities for International Students?
International students should pay close attention to the temporary resident targets in the next plan.
Canada has been managing temporary resident arrivals more cautiously, with the current plan setting targets of 155,000 new international student arrivals in 2026 and 150,000 in both 2027 and 2028.
These targets form part of the government’s wider effort to manage population growth and reduce pressure on housing and public services.
The new plan will indicate whether the government intends to maintain or adjust its approach.
However, a national target does not determine whether a particular student will receive a study permit. Individual applications are still assessed under the applicable rules, including requirements concerning admission, finances and the applicant’s circumstances.
Prospective students from Nigeria should therefore avoid choosing a school or paying significant fees solely because they expect Canada to increase student numbers.
Before committing to a programme, they should verify the institution’s status, understand the current study permit requirements and consider the cost of studying in Canada.
Students should also make education decisions based on the value of the qualification, not simply on an assumption that studying in Canada will guarantee permanent residence.
Could the Plan Create More Opportunities for Workers Already in Canada?
The current immigration framework places importance on economic contributions and on people who are already established in Canada.
The 2026–2028 plan also announced an initiative to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence across 2026 and 2027.
That initiative is part of the existing plan. It should not be interpreted as an automatic permanent residence entitlement for every temporary worker.
The next plan may provide more information about the government’s future approach to workers who have Canadian experience, but applicants should wait for official details before assuming that a new pathway will open.
Temporary workers should continue checking their eligibility for established permanent residence options, including Express Entry and provincial programmes where applicable.
They should also maintain valid immigration status, keep employment records and ensure that their qualifications and language test results are ready when needed.
For people outside Canada, the distinction is equally important: a policy that prioritises certain workers already in the country does not automatically create a new overseas work permit route.
What Should Nigerian Applicants Do Before November?
The period before the announcement is best used for preparation rather than speculation.
1. Check which immigration pathways you qualify for
Review whether your background fits Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, family sponsorship or another available immigration route.
Do not assume that one programme is your only option.
2. Improve your language test results where possible
For eligible economic immigration pathways, stronger language results can improve a candidate’s competitiveness.
If you have not taken an accepted language test, research the requirements for your intended programme and plan accordingly.
3. Organise your education and employment documents
Gather your certificates, employment reference letters and other supporting documents.
If you need an educational credential assessment, check the requirements and expected processing times before leaving it until the last minute.
4. Monitor provincial programmes
Provincial priorities can differ from federal priorities. Research the provinces where your occupation and experience may be relevant.
Do not assume that every province has the same requirements or that a programme is accepting applications simply because it appears on an immigration website.
5. Avoid making decisions based on unconfirmed announcements
Be cautious about claims that Canada will reopen a particular programme, increase student permits or introduce a new permanent residence pathway.
Wait for official eligibility rules and application instructions before spending money based on such claims.
6. Review your budget realistically
Immigration involves more than application fees. Applicants should account for language testing, assessments, documentation, settlement expenses and any other costs relevant to their pathway.
A realistic budget can help prevent avoidable financial pressure during the application process.
When Will Canada Announce the New Immigration Plan?
The federal government is expected to table the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan by November 1, 2026, in line with the annual reporting requirement.
The announcement should provide the official targets and a clearer picture of the government’s priorities for the next three years.
Until then, the existing 2026–2028 plan remains the appropriate reference point.
Applicants should distinguish between confirmed government targets, statements about possible future directions and predictions made by commentators.
These are not interchangeable.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s upcoming Immigration Levels Plan will be an important development for skilled workers, provincial nominee candidates, international students and other prospective newcomers.
But the announcement should be treated as a policy update, not as a guarantee that immigration will become easier or more difficult for every applicant.
The most useful information will be the actual admission targets, how spaces are distributed among immigration categories and whether the government introduces specific changes to existing programmes.
For Nigerians planning to immigrate, the best approach is to prepare using the rules currently in force, monitor official announcements and avoid making major decisions based on unconfirmed predictions.
Worldbridge Immigration can help prospective applicants assess their eligibility for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs and other Canadian immigration pathways based on their individual circumstances.
