Canada Set to Announce 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: What to Expect
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will announce the new multi-year immigration targets on November 5, 2025.
- This announcement will set the number of new permanent residents Canada aims to welcome in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
- The plan will impact all immigration categories, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and Family Sponsorship.
Ottawa, ON – On November 5, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is scheduled to release its highly anticipated Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028. This annual announcement is a cornerstone of Canadian immigration policy, outlining the government's targets for new permanent resident admissions over the next three years. The upcoming plan will provide critical insights into the future of programs like Express Entry and will signal the government's priorities amidst ongoing discussions about population growth and infrastructure.
Who Does This Affect?
The Immigration Levels Plan has far-reaching consequences for a wide range of individuals and groups. The targets set on November 5th will directly impact:
- Prospective Immigrants: Individuals planning to apply through any economic, family, or humanitarian stream will be affected, as the plan determines the number of available spots.
- Express Entry Candidates: The overall targets for economic immigration directly influence the number and frequency of Express Entry draws and the potential Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants: The plan dictates the allocation of nominations for each province and territory, affecting the capacity of their respective immigration streams.
- Canadian Employers: Businesses relying on skilled foreign workers to fill labour shortages will be watching closely to see if the targets align with market needs.
- Families Sponsoring Relatives: The number of spots allocated to the family class will determine processing times and intake capacity for spousal, parental, and child sponsorship applications.
Detailed Breakdown of the Changes
While the specific numbers will only be revealed on November 5th, the announcement will detail targets for the next three years. Based on previous plans, here is what we expect to see detailed in the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Overall Permanent Resident Targets
The plan will establish a total number of new permanent residents for each year. For context, the current 2024-2026 plan aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, and stabilize at 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. The new plan will reveal the target for 2027 and 2028 and may adjust the previously announced 2026 target.
Allocation by Immigration Class
The total target is broken down into three main classes. The key figure to watch is the target for the Economic class, which typically accounts for over 60% of all new immigrants and includes programs managed under Express Entry and PNPs. The remaining allocations will be for the Family class and the Refugee and Humanitarian class.
Context and Implications (The "Why")
This year's Immigration Levels Plan announcement comes at a critical time. The federal government faces increasing pressure to balance the economic benefits of immigration with the capacity of Canada's housing, healthcare, and social services. The decision to increase, decrease, or maintain the current target of 500,000 immigrants per year will be a clear indicator of the government's strategy for managing population growth.
Historically, Canada has steadily increased its immigration targets to address a demographic slowdown and significant labour shortages. However, recent public discourse has focused on the strain high population growth can place on infrastructure. Analysts will be looking to see how IRCC's new plan addresses these competing priorities, potentially shifting focus between different immigration streams to meet more specific economic or regional needs.
How to Prepare
For those in the immigration process or planning to apply, the announcement will set the stage for the coming years. Here are some actionable steps:
- Monitor Official Channels: Watch for the official announcement on the on November 5, 2025.
- Review Your Profile: If you are an Express Entry candidate, ensure your profile is up-to-date and accurate. The new targets may influence category-based selection priorities.
- Consult with Professionals: The new plan may open new opportunities or change the competitiveness of certain streams. It may be a good time to review your strategy with an immigration lawyer or consultant.
The upcoming Immigration Levels Plan is more than just numbers; it is a roadmap for Canada's future. It will define the opportunities available to thousands of aspiring new Canadians and shape the country's economic and demographic landscape for years to come. CanadaImmigrationNews.com will provide a full analysis as soon as the details are released.