IRCC Releases Canada’s Immigration Plan for 2025-26
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On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced its Departmental Plan for 2025–26, outlining a forward-looking vision that blends economic growth with social and humanitarian commitments. The plan reflects Canada’s evolving priorities and sets a course to address national challenges while supporting newcomers.
Key focus areas include improving visa and permanent residency systems, enhancing citizenship services, and modernizing passport operations. With these reforms, the IRCC aims to build a more efficient immigration system that aligns with Canada’s long-term social and economic goals.
Canada’s 2025-26 Immigration Departmental Plan: Overview
Canada’s 2025-2026 Departmental Plan marks a pivotal moment in immigration policy. IRCC’s new roadmap aligns economic, social, and humanitarian objectives to ensure immigration contributes to national growth. With a population of 41.5 million, Canada is taking bold steps to maintain sustainable immigration levels that match the country’s service and housing capacities.
Key Highlights:
- Capped Temporary Resident Arrivals to manage infrastructure and housing strain.
- Category-Based Express Entry to prioritize healthcare, skilled trades, education, and French-language proficiency.
- Expanded Refugee and Humanitarian Programs with modernized systems.
- Upgraded Citizenship and Passport Services to boost efficiency and access.
Explore: Foreign Workers in Canada Can Now Switch Jobs While Waiting for New Permits
Core Responsibility 1: Visitors, International Students, and Temporary Workers
Canada is reimagining its approach to temporary immigration to support sustainable growth. The focus is on balancing the benefits of mobility with the capacity of communities and public systems.
A New Direction for Temporary Residents
Canada is introducing controlled targets for temporary residents to reduce strain on services while ensuring essential labour needs are met.
Temporary Resident Targets:
- 2025: 673,650
- 2026: 516,600
- 2027: 543,600
Category Breakdown
- International Students: 305,900 annually
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW): 82,000 annually
- International Mobility Program (IMP):
- 2025: 285,750
- 2026: 128,700
- 2027: 155,700
The aim is to reduce the temporary resident population share to 5% by 2026.
Improving Visitor Access
IRCC is making travel easier for low-risk visitors while tightening security measures.
- Expanded eTA Access: 67 countries now eligible, with rapid approvals.
- Visa Integrity Measures: Improved fraud detection and risk training increased refusal rates for high-risk applications.
- Consultant Regulations: Finalized oversight for immigration consultants ensures transparency and accountability.
Humanitarian Travel Support
Canada continues to expedite entry for individuals from conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan, reinforcing its humanitarian reputation.
Targeted Economic Growth via Temporary Programs
Temporary residents are crucial to the economy. IRCC’s reforms aim to match immigration with labour market needs.
- TFW Focus Areas: Agriculture, food processing, healthcare, and tech.
- New Agriculture Stream: Sector-specific permits and bilateral agreements with Mexico and Guatemala.
- Trade and Labour Mobility: New pathways under negotiation with ASEAN and CPTPP nations.
- Employer Oversight: Enhanced inspections and compliance checks under the IMP.
Reforms for International Students
Students boost the Canadian economy, but now face controlled intake for long-term sustainability.
- Study Permit Caps: to limit pressure on housing and public services.
- Rising Cost-of-Living Proof: Indexed annually to match inflation.
- Francophone Student Pilot: Launching in 2025 to support French-speaking students.
- PGWP Updates: Aligned with in-demand sectors like STEM, healthcare, and construction.
- Spousal Work Permit Changes: Encouraging workforce participation in essential fields.
Suggested Reading: Indian Students Eligible for Canada Jobs Paying ₹2,400/hr
Core Responsibility 2: Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration
Canada is refining its permanent immigration framework to better align with housing, labour, and integration capacities. The strategy balances economic needs with social commitments and humanitarian leadership.
Adjusted Permanent Residency Targets
To prevent overburdening public services, Canada is slowing permanent resident intake.
- 2025: 395,000
- 2026: 380,000
- 2027: 365,000
Allocation Breakdown:
- Economic Immigration: 62%
- Family Reunification: 22%
- Refugees and Protected Persons: 15%
- Humanitarian Cases: 1.2%
Over 40% of new permanent residents will already be living in Canada, making integration smoother.
Smarter Express Entry Selection
Category-based draws will prioritize candidates with
- Proficiency in French
- Work experience in healthcare, trades, education, or social services.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) will prioritize individuals already contributing to the economy.
Promoting Regional and Business Immigration
IRCC is boosting immigration to underserved regions and attracting global entrepreneurs.
- Start-Up Visa & Self-Employed Programs: Reduced intake for faster processing and higher satisfaction.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Extends temporary permits for smoother PR transition.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: Tackles regional labour shortages.
Family Reunification and Refugee Support
Canada will simplify online applications and make clearer timelines for family sponsorship.
Refugee Resettlement Plan:
- 12,000 refugees per year from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
- 4,000 from the Americas by 2028.
- Temporary pause on some private sponsorship streams until December 2025.
Francophone Immigration Strategy
IRCC aims for 8.5% of PR admissions in 2025 to be French-speaking, with new pathways supporting minority communities outside Quebec.
Strengthening the Asylum System
With $1.1 billion in new funding, asylum processing will improve through:
- Digital systems for faster decisions
- Interim Federal Health coverage for claimants
- Expanded reception centers in partnership with nonprofits
Canada also supports international efforts through:
- The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, Regular Migration
- The Global Compact on Refugees
Also Read: June 2025: Snapshot of Canada Express Entry Pool
Core Responsibility 3: Citizenship and Passports
The final pillar of Canada’s immigration strategy focuses on strengthening national identity and global connectivity. IRCC is working to simplify pathways to citizenship and modernize passport services to serve Canadians more effectively at home and abroad.
Enhancing Citizenship Access
Canada wants 85% of permanent residents to become citizens. New initiatives include:
- Expanded e-application options for families and minors
- Online citizenship tests and language waivers
- Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in ceremonies
Upgraded Passport Services
Canada issues over 4.5 million passports annually. IRCC is modernizing the system to serve citizens better.
- Online Renewal Expansion: Launched in 2024, expanding nationwide in 2025.
- Automated Processing: Reduces wait times and improves service.
- Global Access: A new platform to enhance passport issuance at embassies abroad.
Quick Read: Canada Extends EMPP Till End of 2025 to Offer Priority PR Routes for Refugees
Secure Your Spot in Canada Effortlessly with GetGIS
The 2025–2026 Departmental Plan is a strategic shift that balances immigration with national capacity. From managing temporary resident intake to modernizing asylum, citizenship, and passport services, IRCC is laying the groundwork for a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking immigration system. Connect with GetGIS to access personalised immigration support and fulfill your Canadian dream.
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