Canada’s permanent residence (PR) landscape is changing in 2026. While the country has granted fewer permanent resident statuses overall compared with the same period last year, several countries have seen significant increases in the number of their citizens becoming Canadian permanent residents.
According to IRCC data, Canada granted approximately 222,625 permanent resident statuses between January and July 2026, compared with 246,580 during the same period in 2025. That represents a decrease of nearly 24,000 PRs, or about 9.7%.
However, the decline has not affected every nationality equally.
Which Countries Saw More Canadian PRs in 2026?
The biggest increases were recorded among citizens of several countries.
Turkey experienced the largest increase, with PR grants rising from approximately 1,050 in January–July 2025 to 2,995 during the same period in 2026 — an increase of more than 185%.
Other notable increases included:
- Iran: 4,175 to 5,495 PRs
- Nigeria: 10,450 to 11,565
- Sudan: 2,565 to 3,640
- Syria: 2,195 to 3,260
- Mexico: 3,265 to 4,140
- Uganda: 395 to 1,100
- Sri Lanka: 2,025 to 2,500
- Iraq: 620 to 1,080
- Bangladesh: 2,080 to 2,480
Nigeria is particularly notable because it was already one of Canada’s leading countries of citizenship for new permanent residents. Despite the overall reduction in Canadian immigration numbers, PR grants to Nigerian citizens continued to rise.
These figures show that Canada immigration trends in 2026 are becoming increasingly diverse.
India Still Leads, But PR Numbers Have Fallen
India remains Canada’s largest country of citizenship among new permanent residents. However, the decline in Indian-citizen PR grants has been substantial.
Between January and July 2025, approximately 68,690 Indian citizens received Canadian permanent residence. During the same period in 2026, that figure fell to approximately 53,285.
That is a reduction of more than 15,000 PRs.
In fact, the decline among Indian citizens represents roughly 64% of Canada’s overall year-over-year reduction in PR grants.
India’s share of Canada’s total PR intake also decreased, although Indian citizens remain the largest group by a significant margin.
For people researching Canada PR from India, this is an important trend to watch. However, country-level statistics should not be interpreted as a specific quota or a change in eligibility for individual applicants.
Other Countries Experiencing Declines
India was not the only country to experience a reduction.
France recorded a significant decrease, with PR grants falling by more than 40%. Eritrea, Cameroon, China, Morocco, Afghanistan and Tunisia also recorded notable declines.
Interestingly, the Philippines experienced only a small decline of about 2%. Because Canada’s overall PR intake declined faster, Filipinos actually represented a larger share of Canada’s total PR admissions.
This highlights an important distinction: a country can receive fewer PRs in absolute numbers while still increasing its share of Canada’s overall immigration intake.
What Does This Mean for Canada Immigration in 2026?
The changes reflect a broader shift in Canada’s immigration strategy.
Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has set a target of 380,000 permanent resident admissions annually. The government is also placing considerable emphasis on economic immigration, including candidates with skills and experience that respond to Canada’s labour-market needs.
IRCC also reports that a substantial proportion of new permanent residents are already in Canada as temporary residents before transitioning to PR.
This makes pathways such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and other economic immigration programs particularly important for eligible candidates.
It is also important to remember that these statistics are based on country of citizenship, not necessarily the country where a person was living immediately before receiving PR.
A Strong Immigration Strategy Matters
With Canada’s immigration system becoming more selective and policies continuing to evolve, choosing the right pathway is increasingly important.
Applicants should not assume that a particular nationality automatically provides an advantage. Eligibility generally depends on factors such as education, skilled work experience, language ability, age, occupation, family connections and other program-specific requirements.
For people considering Canada PR pathways, getting professional guidance before submitting an application can help identify realistic options and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
How ICC Immigration Can Help
At ICC Immigration, we help individuals and families understand their options for building a future in Canada.
Our services include:
Permanent Residence Applications
We assist eligible applicants with pathways such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and other available Canada PR programs.
Work Permits and Study Permits
For those who are not immediately eligible for permanent residence, we can help explore suitable Canadian work permit or study permit options that may support a longer-term immigration strategy.
Family Sponsorship
If you have eligible family members in Canada, we can guide you through the family sponsorship Canada process and help you understand the applicable requirements.
Professional Immigration Guidance
Canadian immigration rules can be complex and change frequently. Our team can assess your circumstances, explain available pathways and help you prepare an application that meets the applicable requirements.
Rather than relying on uncertain immigration strategies, it is important to explore legitimate pathways that can provide greater stability and a clearer route toward permanent residence in Canada.
Whether you are already in Canada or planning your immigration journey from overseas, ICC Immigration can help you understand your options and move forward with greater confidence.
Key Takeaway
Canada’s 2026 immigration trends show that permanent residence is declining overall, but the reduction is not evenly distributed among countries.
Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Mexico and several other countries recorded increases, while India, France, Eritrea, Cameroon and China experienced significant declines.
These numbers do not create country-specific PR quotas or guarantee approval. Instead, they demonstrate how Canada’s immigration landscape is changing and why having a well-planned Canada immigration strategy is increasingly important.
Resources:
IRCC – Understanding permanent residence numbers in Canada
IRCC – 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
IRCC – Permanent Resident Targets