Canada’s New Immigration Plan Confirms 3,80,000 Annual PR Intake Till 2028

Kritika Pandey

Updated On Nov 7, 2025

Canada’s New Immigration Plan Confirms 3,80,000 Annual PR Intake Till 2028

On Tuesday, Canada announced a new Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028, focusing on a notable policy shift from rapid expansion towards “a phase of stabilisation”. The new strategy focuses on immigration figures with the country's capacity in key areas such as housing, healthcare, and the labour market, and confirms a consistent annual intake of 380,000 permanent residents through to 2028.

Also Read: Canada Introduces New Cancellation Rules for Visitor Visas, eTAs, Work Permits & Study Permits

Number of Permanent Resident Candidates To Be Admitted Till 2028?

For the upcoming years, every three years, Canada is going to welcome 380,000 new permanent residents within a range of 350,000 to 420,000.

Here is a breakdown of these permanent resident admissions that demonstrates a continued focus on economic immigration:

Category	2026 Target	2027 & 2028 Target
Economic Class	239,800	244,700
Family Reunification	84,000	81,000
Refugees, Protected Persons, & Humanitarian	56,200	54,300
Total	380,000	380,000

Moving forward, the government intends to gradually increase the admission of French-speaking permanent residents outside of Quebec, raising the target from 9 per cent (approximately 30,000 people) in 2026 to 10.5 per cent (approximately 35,000 people) by 2028. Economic immigration, accounting for nearly two-thirds of newcomers, remains the bedrock of the plan, targeting essential sectors like construction, healthcare, and technology to address existing labour shortages.

What Moderations are Planned for Temporary Residents?

In a key move to ease pressure on public services, the plan also projects a gradual reduction in the number of temporary residents:

Year	Total Temporary Residents	Workers	Students
2026	385,000	230,000	155,000
2027	370,000	220,000	150,000
2028	370,000	220,000	150,000

Also Read: Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026-28 Will Include New Pathways to Grant PR for Temporary Residents

Feedback from Critics on Canada’s New Immigration Plan?

While the government has marked this plan as a “stabilisation phase”, the plan has faced criticism from some groups, including the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA). The association called the plan a "missed opportunity for reform", arguing that the Canadian immigration system is currently in a state of crisis due to a lack of a coherent national strategy.

CILA mentioned the significant challenges, including poor applicant experience and severe backlogs, with wait times for some programmes reportedly exceeding ten years. The association also expressed strong concern over the government's proposal, under Bills C-2 and C-12, to grant itself the authority to unilaterally cancel applications.

Explore Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Opportunities with GetGIS

Canada’s newly announced Immigration Levels Plan marks a shift towards stability, maintaining strong targets for economic immigration and permanent residency. For candidates aiming to build a future in Canada under this strategic plan, expert guidance can streamline your pathway to success. Connect with the GetGIS Canada PR experts for tailored advice and clarity on your immigration options.

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