Canada’s New Immigration Plan for 2027–2029: What Newcomers Need to Know

Updated: November 2026

The Government of Canada has announced its 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining how many new temporary residents and permanent residents Canada plans to admit over the next three years. The plan also introduces a new, time-limited measure for 2027 to help certain people who are already living in Canada transition to permanent residence (PR).

The main priorities are to support Canada's economy, respond to labour market needs, maintain family reunification, meet humanitarian commitments, and manage immigration levels more sustainably.

It is important to understand that the numbers in the plan are admission targets, not guarantees that an individual will receive a visa, work permit, study permit, or permanent residence.

1. How many newcomers will Canada accept?

The new plan sets the following targets:

New temporary worker and international student arrivals

2027 target - 370,000

2028 target - 370,000

2029 target - 370,000

New permanent residents

2027 target - 380,000

2028 target - 380,000

2029 target - 380,000

2. What do the temporary resident numbers mean?

For each year from 2027 to 2029, Canada plans to admit approximately 370,000 new temporary workers and international students.

The annual breakdown is:

220,000 Temporary Workers - 170,000 under the International Mobility Program (IMP) - 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

150,000 international students arriving to study at eligible Canadian educational institutions.

3. How many people will receive permanent residence?

Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents annually in 2027, 2028, and 2029.

For 2027, the planned breakdown is approximately:

Economic immigration - 244,700

Family reunification - 81,000

Refugees and Protected Persons - 49,300

Humanitarian and other categories - 5,000

Total - 380,000

New for 2027: Temporary PR Transition Measure

Canada has introduced a new, time-limited measure for 2027 to provide additional permanent residence processing capacity for certain people who are already living in Canada and have established connections to Canadian communities.

The measure is intended to help people who have been waiting for a long time, support regional labour market needs, keep families together, and fulfil existing humanitarian commitments.

This is not a new, open permanent residence program for everyone living in Canada. It is a temporary measure for specific groups of people who meet the applicable criteria.

A. Workers already living in Canada

The government plans to make up to 100,000 additional permanent residence spaces available for workers and their accompanying family members who are already living in communities outside Quebec.

The measure includes certain workers who:

• Are waiting for a decision on a permanent residence application submitted under selected programs that are now closed to new applications, including the Start-Up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot, and eligible caregiver pathways; or

• Are eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The measure is intended to support workers who have established themselves in Canada and contribute to local economies and communities.

Being a temporary foreign worker, having a job, or having lived in Canada for several years does not automatically qualify someone. Workers must fit the specific program conditions.

B. Certain humanitarian and family-related applicants

The government also plans to make up to 100,000 additional permanent residence spaces available for specific humanitarian and family-related groups already in Canada.

The identified groups include:

• Spouses, common-law partners, and children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have already applied for permanent residence and are awaiting a final decision.

• People who applied under the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents, which closed on August 31, 2026.

• People who applied under the permanent residence pathway for Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada, which closed on October 22, 2024.

• Certain in-Canada humanitarian and compassionate applicants whose applications have already been approved in principle.

The measure is intended to help people who have been waiting for a long time obtain greater certainty about their future in Canada.

Important: The measure does not mean that new applications can automatically be submitted under these closed pathways. It focuses on specified groups and applications that already meet the applicable conditions.

What should newcomers do now?

If you hope to obtain permanent residence in Canada, consider the following steps:

1. Identify your current immigration status. Determine whether you are a temporary worker, international student, Protected Person, refugee claimant, or applicant under another immigration category.

2. Review your existing applications. If you have already applied for permanent residence, identify the program under which you applied and check your application status.

3. Explore established immigration pathways. Depending on your circumstances, options may include Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, family sponsorship, or other eligible programs.

4. Keep your documents current. Maintain copies of your permits, immigration correspondence, employment records, and proof of application submission.

5. Monitor official IRCC announcements. Further implementation details may be published as the government puts the new measure into practice.

6. Seek qualified immigration advice when needed. If your situation involves a refused application, a closed pathway, changing status, or uncertainty about eligibility, consult an authorized immigration representative or an appropriate legal service.