Canada Set to Announce New Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028
- What's Happening: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has scheduled a media briefing for November 5, 2025, to unveil its new multi-year immigration targets.
- Who is Affected: This announcement will impact all categories of prospective immigrants, including those in the Express Entry pool, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants, and individuals in family sponsorship streams.
- Key Date: The official announcement of Canada's immigration targets for 2026, 2027, and 2028 is expected on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Ottawa, ON – On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a media advisory confirming it will announce its highly anticipated Immigration Levels Plan tomorrow. This annual announcement is one of the most significant events in the Canadian immigration calendar, as it outlines the number of new permanent residents Canada aims to welcome over the next three years. The plan provides a clear roadmap for all of Canada's immigration programs, influencing everything from Express Entry draw sizes to application processing priorities.
Who Does This Affect?
The new Immigration Levels Plan will directly influence the prospects of nearly every individual hoping to make Canada their new home. The targets set by IRCC have a cascading effect on the entire system. Key groups affected include:
- Express Entry Candidates: The overall targets for federal high-skilled worker programs (including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program) will determine the frequency and size of future Express Entry draws.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants: Provincial governments receive allocations based on the federal plan. An increase in overall targets could mean more nominations available through various PNP streams.
- Family Sponsorship Applicants: The plan will set specific targets for spousal, partner, child, and parent and grandparent sponsorship applications, affecting processing times and intake quotas.
- Refugees and Protected Persons: The announcement will also detail Canada's commitment to humanitarian immigration by setting targets for refugee resettlement.
Detailed Breakdown of the Changes
While the specific numbers will only be revealed on November 5, the announcement will provide a detailed framework for Canada's immigration objectives. Based on the structure of previous plans, we can expect IRCC to outline specific targets for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028.
What to Expect in the Announcement
The plan will be broken down by immigration class, providing clear numerical goals. For context, the previous plan aimed to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025. The new plan will reveal whether the government intends to increase, decrease, or maintain this level. Expect to see specific numbers for the following categories:
- Economic Class: This is the largest category, and its target will be closely watched. It includes federal programs managed through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs.
- Family Class: This section will detail the number of spots allocated for sponsoring spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and parents and grandparents.
- Humanitarian Class: This includes targets for refugees and those admitted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
Context and Implications (The "Why")
The Immigration Levels Plan is more than just a set of numbers; it is a statement of the government's economic and social policy. These targets are set to address critical labour market shortages, support economic growth, and fulfill Canada's demographic needs, particularly as the population ages. The upcoming announcement will signal the government's strategy for balancing economic recovery with the capacity of communities to welcome and integrate newcomers successfully. For applicants, higher targets could mean more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) and potentially lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in Express Entry draws.
How to Prepare
While awaiting the official details, prospective immigrants can take several proactive steps to position themselves for success:
- Update Your Profile: If you have an Express Entry profile, ensure all information, including language test results and work experience, is current and accurate.
- Monitor PNP Streams: Keep a close watch on Provincial Nominee Programs, as new allocations could lead to new intake rounds or updated eligibility criteria.
- Stay Informed: Follow the official announcement from IRCC on November 5. Reliable news sources will provide a full breakdown and analysis of the new targets.
The release of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan is a pivotal moment that will shape the landscape of Canadian immigration for years to come. It will provide much-needed clarity for thousands of applicants worldwide, defining the opportunities that will be available as they pursue their goal of becoming Canadian permanent residents. CanadaImmigrationNews.com will provide a complete analysis as soon as the official figures are released.