Breaking Down Canada’s Immigration Level Plan for 2026-2028: Initiative for Permanent Residency

November 4, 2025, marked a pivotal moment as Canada unveiled its immigration levels plan for the year 2026-2028 that will decide the fate of countless immigrants. 

On a positive note, Canada will undertake a new program to transition up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence in the upcoming level plan for the year 2026-2028. This initiative of increasing the number of work permits for conversion into Canada permanent residency underlines the need for skilled professionals for the economic upliftment of the country. 

According to the immigration level plan 2026-2028, several changes have been made, while the limit for permanent residency applications has been set at 3,80,000 applications throughout the level plan. The changes can be concluded as: 

1.   Reduction of temporary residents admission targets from (2025) 673,650 to 385,000 (2026)

2.   Reduction of international students target from 305,900 (2025) to 155,000 (2026)

3.   Reduction of temporary foreign workers from 367,750 (2025) to 230,000 (2026) 

Recent Changes Brought Under the Immigration Level Plan

1.   Permanent Resident Application

The level plan brings forward some of the major changes brought up for the year 2026. The applications for permanent residency is set flat at 380,000 applications. The level plan also delivers some of the other changes, such as:

●    The plan for the economic immigration target is set to increase 64% from 59% as applications will increase from 229,750 (2025) to 239,800 (2026)

●    The plan for family reunification targets is set to decrease from 88,000 to 84,000

●    The plan for refugee and humanitarian applications targets is also set to decrease from 62,250 to 56,200

2.   Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

According to Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, “the TFWP must have a focused approach that targets strategic sectors and needs in specific regions”

Carney’s words for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program highlight the need for more skilled professionals with certain skills that can fulfil the shortage of professionals in the country.

As we all know, Canada’s two work permits: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Gradual changes have also been recorded as:

●    The admission target for TFWP has remained the same, as 82,000 applications will be recorded for the year 2026

●    The admission target for IMP is set to decrease from (2025) 285,750 to 128,700 (2026). 

3.   Temporary Residence Targets

According to the level plan, the upcoming target of temporary residents will decrease in the year 2026. According to the official data, the number of applications targeted and admitted from January to August 2025 has already declined for Foreign workers and international students, which can be concluded as:

●    The target for foreign workers was 367,750, but got admitted only 154,514 in the year 2025, marking only 42% of the total target

●    The target for international students was 305,900, but got admitted only 84,430 in the year 2025, marking only 29% of the total target

Canada’s Immigration Level Plans are estimated proposals set up by IRCC to set the annual targets for admission of temporary and permanent residents for the upcoming years. This initiative brings social and economic support to both countries, as it puts forward a predictable number of newcomers in the country. The plans make the immigrating country to manage potential impacts to be made while making applications and becoming future-ready for the Canadian immigration process. 

Stay Updated for More Information with Province Immigration

While these level plans are just estimates for the future immigration process and procedures, as more information is yet to be made on Canada’s immigration policies. So, if you are a potential immigrant, international student, or looking for a work permit who desires to settle permanently in Canada as a Canadian permanent residents, then leave the time-engaging process to us. Consult, Province Immigration for more Canada’ visa updates or call us at: + 919896196762