Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan offers PR to temporary workers, i.e., the nation will introduce a new program to help up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers become permanent residents between 2026 and 2027, as outlined in Budget 2025. This initiative will be part of the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028.
The new plan will also include other significant adjustments:
- The 2026 target for temporary resident admissions will be 385,000, a 43% reduction from 673,650 in 2025.
- The number of international student admissions will drop to 155,000, a 49% decrease from 305,900 in 2025.
- The temporary foreign worker target will be 230,000, down 37% from 367,750 in 2025, but slightly higher (8%) than the previous 2026 target of 210,700.
- Protected Persons in Canada will be granted permanent residence over the next two years.
The permanent residence (PR) target for 2026 will stay at 380,000, unchanged from last year’s plan.
The government will increase the share of economic immigration to 64% of total PR admissions, up from 59%. It will also focus on the specific needs of rural and remote communities and industries affected by tariffs.
The Liberal minority government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, presented Budget 2025 in Parliament on November 4, 2025.
More details about the country’s immigration strategy will be shared in the 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.
Reduction In Temporary Resident Admissions
The reduction in targets for 2026 signals a shift in planning but not necessarily in actual results.
Although the government is setting lower targets, 2026 may not see a sharp decline in temporary resident admissions. That’s because 2025 admissions are already behind schedule and far below their targets.
Between January and August 2025, Canada admitted only 154,515 temporary foreign workers, just 42% of the yearly target of 367,750.
During the same period, the country welcomed 89,430 international students, 29% of the target of 305,900.
This shows that even with lower targets, actual admissions in 2026 could look similar to those in 2025.
Changes Expected In The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
As Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan offers PR to temporary workers, let us discuss the changes expected in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that during a Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton on September 10, 2025, the TFWP must have a focused approach that targets specific, strategic sectors and regions.
He added that the government is actively working toward this goal.
The Budget 2025 document did not provide a breakdown between the two main work permit programs, i.e., the TFWP and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Historically, the IMP has made up the majority of work permits issued in Canada. In 2025, the targets were 285,750 under the IMP and 82,000 under the TFWP.
In last year’s plan, the 2026 targets were set at 128,700 (IMP) and 82,000 (TFWP).
With the new combined 2026 target of 230,000, both programs are expected to see an increase from last year’s projections of 210,700 combined.
Permanent Residence Targets Remain Stable
The upcoming Immigration Levels Plan will make only minor adjustments to the permanent residence targets compared to last year.
The overall PR target for 2026 remains at 380,000, showing a steady approach to permanent immigration.
However, the economic immigration target will rise slightly to 239,800, up from 229,750 in last year’s plan.
The family reunification target will decrease to 84,000, down from 88,000, while the Refugee and Humanitarian category will drop to 56,200 from 62,250.
About The Immigration Levels Plan
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan outlines how many new residents the country aims to welcome each year – both temporary and permanent.
The targets are firm for the upcoming year, while the next two years serve as estimates that can change based on needs and priorities.
Last year’s plan was the first to include temporary resident targets and marked a notable reduction in permanent resident admissions, cutting annual targets by 20% compared to the 2024–2026 plan, which aimed for 500,000 PRs per year.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
