Canada is preparing for a major immigration policy update later this year. The federal government is expected to table the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2027-2029 in fall 2026, providing new targets for permanent resident admissions, temporary resident arrivals, economic immigration, family reunification and other immigration categories.
For people planning to immigrate to Canada in 2027, the new plan could provide important clues about where opportunities may expand or become more competitive.
When Will Canada Announce the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan?
Under Section 94 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the immigration minister must table the annual report to Parliament by November 1, or within the next 30 sitting days if Parliament is not sitting on that date.
Since November 1, 2026 falls on a Sunday, the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan is expected around early November, although the government has not announced an exact release date.
The new plan will also introduce official 2029 immigration targets, which are not included in the current 2026-2028 plan.
What Are Canada’s Current Immigration Targets?
Under the existing plan, Canada has set a target of 380,000 permanent resident admissions per year for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The 2027 target currently includes approximately:
- 244,700 economic immigrants
- 81,000 family-class immigrants
- 54,300 refugees, protected persons and humanitarian/other admissions
- 111,000 Federal High Skilled admissions
- 92,500 Provincial Nominee Program admissions
For temporary residents, the government currently plans for approximately 370,000 new arrivals in 2027, including 220,000 workers and 150,000 international students.
These figures are part of the current plan and could be changed when the next levels plan is announced.
Could Canada Increase Immigration in 2027?
There is currently no confirmed increase to the 2027 permanent resident target.
However, Canada’s immigration environment is changing. Statistics Canada reported that Canada’s population reached approximately 41.8 million on July 1, 2026, with annual population growth of only 0.5%. The number of non-permanent residents also declined compared with the previous year.
This creates a different demographic environment from the period when Canada was rapidly reducing temporary immigration.
Any future increase would depend on several factors, including labour-market requirements, housing capacity, population growth and the government’s approach to temporary residents.
Express Entry and PNP Applicants Should Watch Closely
One of the most important parts of the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2027-2029 may not be the overall immigration number.
The allocation between individual programs could have a significant effect on applicants.
People considering Express Entry Canada should watch the Federal High Skilled allocation and category-based selection priorities. A change in the economic allocation could influence invitation volumes and competition.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) will also be important. Provinces use their allocations to select candidates based on their labour-market and regional needs. Changes to the PNP allocation could therefore affect candidates who are exploring provincial immigration pathways.
What About International Students and Temporary Workers?
Canada has significantly reduced planned temporary resident arrivals compared with previous years.
The current 2027 plan provides for approximately 150,000 international students and 220,000 temporary workers.
The federal government has also committed to reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
As a result, prospective international students and temporary foreign workers should not assume that future immigration levels will automatically return to earlier levels. Study permit requirements, work permit policies and pathways to permanent residence will remain important factors.
Francophone Immigration Could Become More Important
French-speaking immigration outside Quebec is another area to watch.
The current plan increases the target for Francophone permanent residents outside Quebec from 9% in 2026 to 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028. The federal government has also established a broader objective of reaching 12% by 2029.
For eligible French-speaking candidates, this could make Francophone immigration to Canada an increasingly important area to monitor.
How ICC Immigration Can Help You Secure Your Future in Canada
Choosing the right immigration pathway requires understanding your education, work experience, language ability, family circumstances and long-term goals.
ICC Immigration helps clients explore appropriate Canada PR pathways, including:
- Express Entry and Permanent Residency: Assistance with eligibility assessment, documentation and PR applications.
- Provincial Nominee Programs: Guidance on provincial pathways that may match your profile and experience.
- Work Permits and Study Permits: Support for people looking to work or study in Canada and understand potential future immigration options.
- Family Sponsorship: Assistance with eligible family reunification applications.
- Professional Immigration Guidance: Help understanding changing Canadian immigration rules and choosing a pathway that fits your circumstances.
Asylum and refugee protection are designed for people who genuinely meet Canada’s protection requirements and should not be treated simply as an alternative immigration strategy. For people who qualify for economic, family or other immigration programs, exploring those options first can provide a more appropriate route toward permanent residence.
Whether you are already in Canada or planning your immigration to Canada, professional guidance can help you understand your available options and prepare for policy changes.
Final Thoughts
The Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2027-2029 could become one of the most important immigration announcements of 2026. While the current 2027 targets remain at 380,000 permanent residents, the new plan could change the allocation between programs and will establish the first official targets for 2029.
For prospective immigrants, the key is to look beyond the headline number and pay attention to Express Entry, PNP, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits and Francophone immigration.
The final targets will only be known when the federal government officially releases the new plan.