Canada releases 2027–2029 immigration plan, adjusts pathways for skilled workers and permanent residents

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 06, 2026

Canada will maintain its annual target of 380,000 new permanent residents from 2027 to 2029 while making changes to immigration programs for skilled workers, international students, and temporary residents.

The federal government released its 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan on Thursday, November 5, alongside Budget 2026.

The plan keeps overall immigration targets stable but changes how admissions are distributed across programs. It also introduces measures to help eligible temporary residents already living in Canada obtain permanent residence.

Permanent residency targets remain steady

Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents annually through 2029, with economic immigration accounting for the largest share.

The government has allocated 244,700 places each year to economic immigrants, including skilled workers, provincial nominees, and applicants under regional immigration programs.

Another 81,000 places will go to family reunification, while 49,300 will be reserved for refugees and protected persons. The remaining 5,000 will cover humanitarian and other immigration categories.

These targets reflect Canada’s efforts to meet labour needs while managing population growth and pressure on housing, health care, and public services.

Changes to skilled worker and regional programs

One of the main adjustments involves the Federal High Skilled category, which will have a target of 100,000 admissions in 2027.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will receive 95,000 places. The program allows provinces and territories to nominate immigrants with skills that meet local labour demands.

The Atlantic Immigration Program will have 6,000 spaces, while the Rural Community Immigration Program will receive a separate allocation of 5,500.

The changes place greater emphasis on immigration pathways that respond to labour shortages outside Canada’s largest cities.

New measures for temporary residents already in Canada

Budget 2026 also introduces a temporary initiative to help up to 200,000 eligible people already living in Canada transition to permanent residence by the end of 2027.

The measure includes up to 100,000 skilled workers and their families, with applications expected to move through eligible federal and provincial immigration pathways.

Another group of up to 100,000 people will be considered under humanitarian immigration measures.

The initiative is separate from the regular immigration targets and is intended to address existing applications while retaining workers already contributing to Canadian communities.

Canada will also continue two previously announced measures covering up to 115,000 protected persons and 33,000 work permit holders during 2026 and 2027.

Temporary resident arrivals set at 370,000 annually

The government plans to admit 370,000 new temporary residents each year from 2027 to 2029.

Of that total, 220,000 spaces will go to foreign workers, while 150,000 will be allocated to international students.

The worker target includes 170,000 arrivals under the International Mobility Program and 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The figures apply to new arrivals under the designated programs. They do not represent the total number of temporary residents already living in Canada.

What the changes mean for immigration applicants

The new plan does not close existing immigration programs. Instead, it adjusts admission targets and introduces additional measures for certain applicants already in Canada.

Skilled workers may find opportunities through provincial and regional programs, depending on their qualifications and the labour needs of individual communities.

International students and temporary foreign workers will continue to face program-specific requirements, including eligibility rules and admission limits.

The government also plans to increase the share of French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec, with targets of 9.5 percent in 2027, 10.5 percent in 2028, and 12 percent in 2029.

IRCC will work with provincial and territorial governments to implement the plan and provide further details on the new immigration measures.