On November 5, 2025, the federal government released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028. The plan sets updated intake ranges for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers, and revises permanent resident targets across the Economic, Family, Refugee/Protected Person, and Humanitarian & Compassionate categories. Key updates include:
Permanent Residents:
Permanent resident admissions are expected to remain at 380,000 annually from 2026 to 2028. Although total intake will be slightly lower than in 2025, the share of economic-class immigrants will rise to 64% in 2027 and 2028. Additional spaces will be added to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Provincial Nominee Program to help address national and regional labor needs. Express Entry intake will increase modestly, with continued occupation-targeted draws.
One-Time Initiative:
The government will also introduce a temporary measure to fast-track permanent residence for up to 33,000 temporary workers in 2026 and 2027. Eligible individuals will be those who have built strong community ties, contribute through taxes, and play a meaningful role in sustaining Canada’s economy.
Arranged Employment Points:
IRCC intends to restore additional points in Express Entry for candidates with arranged employment, with safeguards to reduce fraud.
Temporary Foreign Workers:
As part of efforts to stabilize the system, the government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by late 2027. Intake targets have been set at 385,000 for 2026 and 370,000 for both 2027 and 2028, covering new international students and temporary workers. Worker numbers will be allocated across the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, reflecting Canada’s need for global talent while considering sector-specific pressures, tariff-impacted industries, and the unique labor realities of rural and remote communities.
Temporary foreign worker admissions are expected to decline slightly due to new limits on open spousal work permits for lower- and mid-skilled roles. Employer-specific permits for high-skilled workers will remain uncapped. LMIA-based work permits should remain relatively stable, although approval requirements are becoming more stringent.
Provincial Priorities:
Provinces will continue adjusting their nomination streams to match regional labor market needs. In 2025, for example, Ontario emphasized healthcare and skilled trades, while British Columbia and Alberta focused on targeted IT occupations.
Takeaway: Federal and provincial priorities will shift over the coming year, offering more insight into selection trends beyond the headline figures. Employers using temporary talent programs should plan ahead and stay aligned with changing regulatory requirements.
