Canada’s New Immigration Plan Confirms 3,80,000 Annual PR Intake Till 2028
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Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028 has confirmed a yearly intake of 380,000 permanent residents. Check key highlights, category targets, and changes for temporary residents shaping the country’s balanced and sustainable immigration strategy.
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 |
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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