Canada Immigration Plan 2026–2028: New PR Targets, Student Caps, and Work Permit Changes Explained

Canada has officially announced its immigration plan for the years 2026 to 2028, bringing important updates for international students, foreign workers, and people planning to apply for permanent residence (PR).

Stable PR Targets at 380,000 Per Year

According to the government, Canada will welcome around 380,000 new permanent residents each year from 2026 to 2028. The number will remain stable over the three years as part of a plan to make immigration levels more sustainable.

Reducing Temporary Residents

At the same time, the government wants to reduce the number of temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers. The goal is to bring the temporary population to less than 5% of Canada's total population by the end of 2027.

The targets for new temporary residents are approximately:

• 385,000 in 2026
• 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028

Economic Immigration Remains the Priority

Economic immigration will continue to be the main focus, as Canada needs skilled workers to fill labour shortages across different industries. Programs such as federal skilled immigration and provincial nominee programs (PNPs) are expected to remain key pathways for newcomers.

Family Sponsorship and Refugees

The plan also keeps strong support for family sponsorship and refugee programs, which remain important parts of Canada's immigration system.

Fast-Track for 115,000 Protected Persons

One major step included in the plan is a special initiative to help around 115,000 protected persons already living in Canada transition to permanent residence faster. In addition, up to 33,000 temporary workers may also get opportunities to transition to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.

Support for Francophone Communities

Another priority is increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec to support Francophone communities across the country.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the government says the new immigration plan aims to balance population growth with economic needswhile maintaining Canada's humanitarian commitments and supporting families.