Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026–2028: Major Benefits for In-Canada Candidates
December 1, 2025
Canada has announced its updated Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026-2028, which indicates a sea change in how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to welcome new residents. This new Canada immigration level plan for Canada places a much greater emphasis on making the transition to permanent residence easier for temporary residents already living, studying, and working in Canada.
This update could be promising news for the thousands of in-Canada applicants who are international graduates, skilled workers, and temporary foreign workers. It outlines Canada’s continuing commitment to population growth, labor market stability, and economic recovery while ensuring the immigration system remains sustainable and manageable over the coming years.
A Three-Year Canada Immigration Level Plan to Stabilize and Strengthen the System
The new immigration level plan is based on the federal government strategy to stabilize the number of newcomers entering Canada. IRCC wants a balanced system that will meet economic needs and avoid excessive pressure on housing, healthcare, and public services.
The following are proposed admission targets under the updated plan:
2026 Admissions Target
- 395,000 permanent residents
2027 Admissions Target
- 395,000 permanent residents
2028 Admissions Target
- 395,000 permanent residents
Unlike the previous years, which had steadily increasing annual targets, this plan focuses on freezing the levels to allow Canada time to improve housing availability, infrastructure capacity, and newcomer support systems. This new approach has the objective of sustaining a healthy flow of immigration without overwhelming the communities and service providers.
Why Is IRCC Prioritizing In-Canada Candidates?
One of the biggest changes in the new plan is IRCC’s emphasis on applicants who are already inside Canada. This includes temporary residents like international students and workers who will see the most significant benefit. According to IRCC, individuals already living in Canada are better positioned to:
- Better integrated.
- More familiar with the culture and labor market.
- More likely to remain for longer-term, and
- Already contributing to the economy.
What this means is that candidates who have Canadian work experience or education will have stronger pathways to PR, especially through Express Entry and PNPs.
Express Entry Allocations Reflect the New Strategy
IRCC has provided updated plans, indicating what Express Entry admissions will look like under the new immigration level plan. For 2026, the Express Entry admissions target under this plan is:
- 117,500 permanent residents
This remains in line with the previous plan but reflects stability and not growth. Under category-based selection, IRCC will continue to prioritize:
- Healthcare workers
- STEM professionals
- Trades workers
- French-speaking populations
- Transport sector workers
- Agriculture and agri-food workers
This targeted approach helps to address labor shortages while giving in-Canada skilled workers a competitive advantage.
PNP Remains Canada’s Largest Immigration Pathway
Provincial Nominee Programs continue to play a critical role, and IRCC is planning to admit:
- 120,000+ PNP candidates annually
This makes the PNP the largest economic immigration pathway in Canada. Provinces are expected to rely even more on candidates who are already working within their borders.
For in-Canada applicants, especially those with provincial job offers or work history, this creates:
- Higher nomination chances
- Clearer pathways to permanent residency
- Stronger selection opportunities
Temporary Resident Growth Has Slowed—And IRCC Is Adjusting
With a rapid increase in international student enrollments and work permit approvals over recent years, the number of temporary residents in Canada has rapidly grown, placing considerable demands on housing availability and municipal resources.
To address these challenges, IRCC is currently working to rebalance the temporary resident population such that:
- The number of temporary residents does not exceed the national capacity,
- The permanent residence transition becomes more strategic, and
- The system remains stable and sustainable.
While these stabilization measures are being taken, IRCC confirms that temporary residents with strong ties to Canada will continue to be prioritized in PR processing.
What This Means for In-Canada Applicants
For thousands of people already living in Canada, this plan brings several benefits:
1. More Predictable and Stable PR Pathways
With fixed annual targets, applicants can expect more consistency in processing and selection.
2. Greater Focus on Canadian Experience
IRCC clearly signals that candidates with Canadian work or study history will be given priority.
3. Stronger Opportunities Through Express Entry and PNP
Programs like CEC, category-based draws, and PNP nominations will continue to favor in-Canada applicants.
4. Smoother Path to Long-Term Settlement
Stability in numbers means the system can better support newcomers as they transition to permanent residence.
New IRCC processing times
Canada immigration news update skilled workers
Final Thoughts
Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026-2028 represents a significant step toward stability, sustainability, and strategy in immigration. For in-Canada temporary residents, the message is clear: you are at the heart of Canada’s long-term immigration vision.
This plan opens the door to more predictable and promising pathways to Canadian permanent residency with consistent annual targets, strong support for economic immigration, and a renewed focus on workers and graduates already in the country.
If you want to know more details about “Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026–2028: Major Benefits for In-Canada Candidates“ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.
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