(CANADA) Canada’s federal immigration department has set out a new Immigration Levels Plan covering 2026 to 2028 that shifts momentum toward people already living and working in the country. Announced in Ottawa, the plan lays out stable annual targets of 380,000 permanent resident admissions from 2026 through 2028, and it tilts selection toward in-Canada workers with proven ties to employers and communities. International students with Canadian work experience, temporary foreign workers, and protected persons stand to gain most as policymakers aim to convert temporary status to permanent residency at a faster, more predictable pace.
One-time transition for temporary foreign workers
At the center of the plan is a one-time initiative to transition up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027. Officials describe the group as people who have “established strong roots,” already pay taxes, and support local economies.
By creating an express bridge to permanence for these workers, the government signals it wants to keep talent already contributing to Canada 🇨🇦 rather than rely only on newcomers from abroad. Employers see daily that many temporary workers are fully integrated at their workplaces and in their communities, yet remain in limbo.
Humanitarian pathway for protected persons
Over two years, 115,000 protected persons who cannot safely return to their home countries will be granted permanent resident status. This links humanitarian duty with practical settlement outcomes, speeding the shift from temporary protection to long-term stability.
- People already settled in Canada will move more quickly to jobs and education that match their skills.
- Families will gain a clearer path to citizenship.
- Community groups have long argued that long waits undercut mental health and slow integration.
Economic focus and provincial alignment
By 2026–2028, 64% of permanent resident admissions will be channeled through economic immigration. The emphasis is on the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs, which prioritize Canadian work experience and alignment with provincial labor needs.
Key sector focus:
– Healthcare
– Skilled trades
– Technology
– Construction
This approach gives provinces room to nominate candidates with job offers in shortage sectors and moves many in-Canada candidates with steady work histories closer to the front of the line.
Predictability and processing benefits
Holding intake steady at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028 reduces uncertainty for workers, families, and employers planning ahead. Clear targets help:
- Departments staff for processing
- Coordinate settlement supports with provinces
- Give employers better visibility on transitions to permanence
According to VisaVerge.com analysis, stable levels planning tends to smooth processing and reduce last-minute policy swings that can derail individual cases.
Predictability helps applicants, employers, and provinces plan more effectively and reduces the risk of abrupt policy changes.
Francophone immigration outside Quebec
The plan raises the share of Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 10.5% by 2028. This measure aims to reinforce French-language communities across Canada.
Implications:
– French-speaking in-Canada workers (especially in healthcare and early childhood education) may find more nomination options.
– Increased Francophone admissions could bolster schools, clinics, and small businesses in minority Francophone areas.
– Francophone organizations have warned about declining French usage in some regions; this policy addresses that concern.
Easing pressure on temporary streams
A quieter shift is the intent to reduce new temporary resident arrivals. This may:
- Soften demand for housing, healthcare, and public services in larger cities
- Lower competition for scarce rental units and provincial services for those already in Canada
- Allow departments to focus on permanent residence backlogs and speed up transitions from temporary permits
Officials expect faster processing for people moving from temporary status to permanent residency, especially in priority economic and humanitarian categories.
Regional and rural considerations
The framework recognizes regional labour needs. By concentrating on candidates already living in Canada, the plan increases the likelihood that workers will accept jobs outside major centres, with a realistic chance of securing permanence.
Sectors benefiting from in-Canada candidates:
– Agriculture
– Food processing
– Trucking
– Energy
The plan maintains pathways through existing provincial and pilot streams without increasing overall intake.
Who benefits and how
Details emphasize how the shift helps both people and communities invested in each other:
- Workers who arrived on employer-specific permits and built stable lives can apply with more confidence.
- International graduates with a year or more of skilled Canadian experience (often via post-graduation work permits) may see stronger selection outcomes.
- Protected persons waiting in uncertainty will move forward more quickly, reducing demand on emergency supports.
Balancing growth with capacity
Housing is a nationwide pressure point. By trimming new temporary inflows while increasing permanent resident shares for those already here, the government aims to relieve strain without closing doors.
Advocates note that many recent arrivals lacked a clear route to permanence and faced tight rents and limited services. This plan rewards those who are already attached to jobs and have a track record of paying taxes and staying employed.
Role of provinces and local partners
Provinces will continue to shape day-to-day selection, particularly through the Provincial Nominee Programs. The new direction:
- Gives provinces a larger platform to match candidates with local needs
- Helps provincial officers plan nomination rounds with better lead times
- Allows employers to prepare for transitions
- Lets applicants map steps from temporary status to permanent residency with less guesswork
Provinces control licensing for many regulated occupations and oversee colleges and training programs that feed local industries, making their role vital.
Policy priorities and messaging
The department links the plan to long-term competitiveness. Retaining people who have already succeeded in Canada is often more efficient than recruiting fresh arrivals who require time to settle.
Key policy elements highlighted:
– 33,000-worker transition initiative
– 115,000 protected persons pathway over two years
– 64% economic share of admissions
Families could see quicker reunification as principal applicants move into permanent status, and communities that rely on steady labour gain a more stable workforce. For official details, the government has posted its planning framework on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website, including the admissions mix and targets set out in the latest Immigration Levels Plan.
Impacts for employers and applicants
Employers will watch how selection tools—category-based draws and provincial nominations—interact with the new targets. If intake is managed as planned, certain outcomes are likely:
- Candidates with Canadian work experience should see improved odds, notably in healthcare and trades.
- International students who moved into skilled roles may find work experience weighs more than just academic credentials.
- Protected persons will gain more stable access to work, housing, and schooling.
The plan is not a universal fix, but it reduces the mismatch between temporary intake and permanent resident spots that has fueled backlogs and personal uncertainty.
Headline numbers and final takeaway
The plan’s key numbers:
– 380,000 permanent residents per year (2026–2028)
– 64% reserved for economic pathways
– 10.5% Francophone admissions outside Quebec by 2028
– 33,000 in-Canada workers moved to permanence through a special two-year transition
– 115,000 protected persons receiving permanent status over the same period
For applicants, the headline is straightforward: if you’ve studied, worked, and paid taxes in Canada, your path to permanence should be clearer, faster, and more predictable than before.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 fixes annual admissions at 380,000 and prioritizes in-Canada workers with employer ties. The plan creates a one-time bridge for up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers and grants permanent status to 115,000 protected persons over two years. With 64% of admissions reserved for economic pathways and a target of 10.5% Francophone admissions outside Quebec by 2028, the strategy aims to speed transitions to permanence, align with provincial labour needs, and ease pressure on temporary streams.
