Canada's Immigration Levels Plan 2027 to 2029: What Changed From Last Year?
On November 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the immigration levels plan 2027 to 2029. At first glance, it looks like nothing moved: 380,000 new permanent residents a year, the same number as last year's plan.
Look closer and the story changes. This plan adds a one-time measure to move up to 200,000 people already living in Canada to permanent residence, gives provinces more room, and confirms a smaller intake of new temporary residents for three more years.
We compared the new plan against last year's 2026 to 2028 plan, line by line, so you can see what actually changed and what it means for your file.
If you are already in Canada on a work permit, waiting on a humanitarian decision, or sponsoring a spouse who lives here, this plan matters more to you than the headline suggests. If you would rather talk it through directly, book a consultation with our licensed team.
The headline numbers: what held and what shrank
Here is how the core targets compare. Last year's column shows the 2026 target from the 2026 to 2028 plan. The new column shows the annual target for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Target | Last year's plan (2026) | New plan (2027 to 2029) | Change |
Permanent residents a year | 380,000 | 380,000 | Held |
Economic class share | 63% | More than 64% | Up slightly |
New temporary arrivals | 385,000 | 370,000 | 15,000 fewer |
New workers | 230,000 | 220,000 | 10,000 fewer |
New international students | 155,000 | Up to 150,000 | 5,000 fewer |
One-time PR measures | Up to 33,000 workers; about 115,000 protected persons over two years | Up to 200,000 people in Canada (extra space in 2027) | New |
Francophone share outside Quebec | 9% (2026) | 9.5%, 10.5%, 12% by 2029 | Rising |
Source: IRCC, Supplementary Information for the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan, and IRCC backgrounder, November 5, 2026.
The 2027 numbers are not a surprise. Last year's plan had already set 2027 at 380,000 permanent residents and 370,000 new temporary arrivals. IRCC has now confirmed those figures and extended them to 2029. In IRCC's words, the plan aligns with what was promised before.
Permanent resident admissions are not all new arrivals. IRCC is explicit that the 380,000 includes people already working or studying in Canada. That is why in-Canada pathways matter so much in this plan.
IRCC also says it wants to keep permanent resident admissions below 1% of Canada's population beyond 2027, while continuing to reduce the temporary resident population.
What's new: a one-time measure for 200,000 people already in Canada
This is the biggest change, and it did not exist in last year's plan. IRCC is introducing a time-limited measure that adds extra admissions space in 2027, on top of the regular targets, for up to 200,000 people already living in Canada. It is split into two groups.
The workers cohort: up to 100,000
Up to 100,000 people already in Canada, along with their families, will be transitioned to permanent residence by working with provinces and territories. Provinces will receive increased Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations to nominate workers who meet their regional needs.
Provinces will also be able to identify workers who have already applied under select federal programs. These include the Atlantic Immigration Program and several programs now closed to new applicants: the Start-up Visa Program, the Self-Employed Persons Program, the Agri-Food Pilot and the home care worker programs.
Already in Canada on a work permit? Your route into this measure is likely through your province, not a new federal stream. Book an In-Canada PR Consult to see where your profile fits.
The humanitarian cohort: up to 100,000
Up to 100,000 people already in Canada, many of whom have waited years for a decision, will be transitioned to permanent residence. IRCC's stated goals include:
● Processing all remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways and the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway
● Finalizing applications from people already found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
●Processing applications from spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadians and permanent residents already living in Canada.
For in-Canada spousal sponsorship, IRCC expects this to bring wait times closer to 12 months for the spouse or common-law partner class, for applicants destined to provinces and territories outside Quebec.
Sponsoring a spouse or partner who lives in Canada? Book a Spousal Consultation to make sure your file is ready when it reaches an officer.
What else is in: provinces, rural communities and French speakers
●More PNP and Atlantic Immigration Program admissions. The plan increases planned admissions under both, in addition to the extra PNP space in the workers cohort. For reference, last year's plan had set 2027 at 92,500 for the PNP and 4,000 for the Atlantic program. IRCC has not yet published the new category breakdown, and we will update this post when it does.
● The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is becoming permanent. IRCC says this responds to persistent labour shortages in rural and regional communities.
● Francophone targets now reach 12%. French-speaking immigration outside Quebec is set at 9.5% of admissions in 2027, 10.5% in 2028 and 12% in 2029. Last year's plan stopped at 10.5% in 2028.
● Express Entry reform continues. IRCC says it is advancing broad reforms, including changes to the federal economic programs, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and new measures for high-wage occupations.
Economic immigration stays the priority, at more than 64% of permanent resident admissions over the three years, up slightly from 63% in 2026.
What's out or winding down
● The In-Canada Workers Initiative wraps up. Last year's plan included a one-time push to accelerate permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers. IRCC says it will complete that work in 2027.
● Fewer new temporary arrivals than 2026. New arrivals drop from 385,000 in 2026 to 370,000 a year, made up of 220,000 workers and up to 150,000 international students, and stay there through 2029.
● Closed programs stay closed. The Start-up Visa, Self-Employed, Agri-Food and home care worker programs remain closed to new applications. Only files already submitted can be identified by provinces under the workers cohort.
What most coverage will miss
This plan sets space, not rules. A levels plan decides how many people IRCC aims to admit in each category. It does not change who is eligible. Extra space only helps applicants whose files are complete, consistent and ready to be approved.
The 200,000 measure is built around existing files and provinces. Much of it is about finishing applications already in IRCC's inventory and giving provinces the tools to nominate workers they already know. If you are hoping to benefit, the condition of the file you already have, or the profile your province will look at, matters more than anything you file next.
Fewer new temporary arrivals means more pressure on transitions. With the temporary population still being reduced, more people will reach the end of their permits. Planning your next step before your status expires is no longer optional.
What this means if you are...
A worker in Canada
Watch your province's announcements closely, since much of the new space flows through PNP allocations. Keep your status valid and your documents current.
Book a Work Permit consultation if your permit expires within the next year.
An Express Entry candidate
The overall target held, but the selection system is being reformed. Category-based draws and CRS changes will shape who is invited more than the headline number.
Book a PR Outside Canada or In-Canada PR Consult to review your profile against the coming changes.
Waiting on a humanitarian or family decision
If you were already found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, or applied under the Hong Kong or Ukraine family pathways, the plan names your files as a priority.
Book a Humanitarian & Compassionate Consult if you are unsure where your application stands.
A future international student
New student arrivals are capped at up to 150,000 a year through 2029. Competition for study permits stays tight, so a strong, well documented application matters.
Book a Study Permit Consultation before you apply.
An employer
New temporary worker arrivals drop to 220,000 a year. If you rely on foreign talent, retention and permanent residence support for workers already on your team becomes more valuable.
Book an Employers LMIA consultation to plan your hiring and retention.
What to do now
1. Check when your current permit or status expires, and plan your next step at least six months ahead.
2. If you have an application already in IRCC's inventory, make sure your contact details and documents are up to date.
3. Follow your province's PNP announcements over the coming months.
4. Update your Express Entry profile with new work experience, language results or education.
5. Speak with a licensed team about how the new targets affect your specific pathway.
Not sure where you fit in the new plan? Book a consultation. Ready to apply? Work with our licensed team on your permanent residence, work permit or sponsorship application.
Frequently asked questions
What is Canada's immigration levels plan for 2027?
Canada plans to admit 380,000 new permanent residents and 370,000 new temporary residents in 2027, according to IRCC. The temporary figure includes 220,000 workers and up to 150,000 international students. The same targets apply in 2028 and 2029.
Did Canada increase its immigration targets for 2027?
No. The permanent resident target stayed at 380,000, matching last year's plan. What is new is a one-time measure adding extra space in 2027 for up to 200,000 people already in Canada to become permanent residents, split between a workers cohort and a humanitarian cohort.
Who qualifies for the 200,000 temporary residents to PR measure?
IRCC has described two cohorts. Up to 100,000 workers will transition mainly through provincial nominations and select federal programs. Up to 100,000 people will transition through humanitarian pathways, including in-Canada spouses and dependent children. Detailed eligibility rules have not yet been published.
How long will spousal sponsorship take in 2027?
IRCC says the new measure should bring wait times closer to 12 months for the spouse or common-law partner class, for applicants already living in Canada and destined outside Quebec. Actual processing times depend on each file and IRCC's published timelines.
Is Canada cutting international students in 2027?
New international student arrivals are set at up to 150,000 a year for 2027 to 2029, down from 155,000 in 2026. The cap is on new arrivals, so applications still need to be strong to stand out within a smaller intake.
Does the levels plan change Express Entry eligibility?
No. The levels plan sets admission targets, not eligibility rules. Separately, IRCC says it is reforming Express Entry, including changes to the federal economic programs, the Comprehensive Ranking System and new measures for high-wage occupations.
How InfoPlace Canada can help
● Permanent residence applications: licensed representation for Express Entry, provincial nominee and in-Canada pathways.
● Work permits: support for PGWP holders, spousal open work permits and in-country extensions.
● Spousal and family sponsorship: applications prepared to meet IRCC requirements from the start.
● Levels plan updates: clear breakdowns of what new targets mean for your file.
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This article is general information about Canadian immigration and is not legal advice. It reflects IRCC publications as of November 5, 2026, and details may change as IRCC publishes the full category breakdown and program instructions.
Every file turns on its own facts, outcomes vary and no result is guaranteed. Speak with a licensed representative about your situation.
InfoPlace Canada is a licensed Canadian immigration consulting firm. Contact our licensed team about permanent residence, work permits, spousal sponsorship and what the new levels plan means for your application.
infoplacecanada.ca | (519) 900-0199 | ask@InfoPlaceCanada.ca
