Inside Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Strategy

Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan has introduced an updated approach to immigration, reflecting a strategic balance between population growth and sustainable development. Announced by the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, this plan introduces revised targets for Canadian permanent residency, new guidelines for managing temporary residents, and an emphasis on long-term economic growth. With these adjustments, Canada seeks to better address infrastructure challenges, housing availability, and essential service demands, ensuring a balanced future for both current and future Canadians.

Goals of the 2025-2027 Immigration Plan

Canada has long regarded immigration as a vital driver of economic stability and resilience. After the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration became essential in boosting Canada’s workforce, meeting labor demands, and accelerating economic recovery. Through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada aims to support its economy by welcoming skilled individuals and families while ensuring access to jobs, housing, and essential social services for all residents. In response to recent pressures on housing, infrastructure, and community services, the new immigration plan will temporarily moderate growth rates, setting a course for sustainable, long-term expansion.

New Permanent Residency Targets to Support Canada’s Long-Term Vision

The revised immigration targets signal a temporary reduction in permanent resident admissions over the next few years, followed by a gradual increase in 2027. The targets include:

  • 2025: 395,000 permanent residents (down from the previously projected 500,000)
  • 2026: 380,000 permanent residents
  • 2027: 365,000 permanent residents

These targets show Canada’s commitment to balancing the influx of new residents with available resources, ensuring that the needs of both current Canadians and newcomers are met.

Category 2025 2026 2027
Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions 395,000 380,000 365,000
Federal Economic Priorities 41,700 47,400 47,800
In-Canada Focus 82,980 75,830 70,930
Federal Business 2,000 1,000 1,000
Federal Economic Pilots 10,920 9,920 9,920
Atlantic Immigration Program 5,000 5,000 5,000
Provincial Nominee Program 55,000 55,000 55,000
Quebec Skilled Workers and Business 34,500 TBD TBD
Spouses, Partners and Children 70,000 66,500 61,000
Parents and Grandparents 24,500 21,500 20,000

Focus on Economic and Workforce Growth

The new plan emphasizes economic immigration categories, aiming for economic class admissions to make up about 61.7% of all permanent residents by 2027. This strategy aims to fill roles in critical sectors such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, supporting public services and enhancing Canada’s economic resilience.

Supporting Francophone Communities Outside Quebec

A priority of this plan is to increase French-speaking immigration across Canada, particularly outside of Quebec, in order to support and enrich Francophone communities. The government has set ambitious targets to gradually raise the share of Francophone immigrants in other provinces:

  • 2025: 8.5%
  • 2026: 9.5%
  • 2027: 10%

This policy supports diversity and regional economic vitality while maintaining Canada’s rich bilingual heritage.

New Regulations for Temporary Residents

Acknowledging the important contributions of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, the 2025-2027 plan introduces a controlled approach to managing temporary population growth. Over recent years, the number of temporary residents has surged, which has placed pressure on housing, public services, and infrastructure.

Canada’s new target for temporary residents aims to limit this group to 5% of the country’s total population by 2026. Specific adjustments include:

  • 2025: Reduction of 445,901
  • 2026: Reduction of 445,662
  • 2027: Small increase of 17,439

This shift includes caps on international student enrollment and revised eligibility criteria for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Here's a closer look at the targets.


202520262027
Overall Arrivals 673,650 (604,900 - 742,400) 516,600 (435,250 - 597,950) 543,600 (472,900 - 614,250)
Workers (Total) 367,750 210,700 237,700
International Mobility Program 285,750 128,700 155,700
Temporary Foreign Worker Program 82,000 82,000 82,000
Students 305,900 305,900 305,900

Revisions to the International Student Program and Work Permits

Canada is implementing new measures to regulate international student enrollment and temporary work permits more effectively. Key reforms include:

  • Adjusting international student admissions to manageable levels
  • Refining eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers
  • Restricting post-graduation work permits and work permits for spouses of international students and temporary workers

These reforms help Canada maintain high standards of education and support manageable community growth.

Transitioning Temporary Residents to Permanent Residency

A significant focus of the new immigration strategy is on transitioning temporary residents to permanent residency. By 2025, approximately 40% of new permanent residents will come from the pool of individuals already studying or working in Canada. This approach helps Canada meet labor market demands while avoiding rapid population expansion, as these individuals are already integrated into Canadian society.

Moving Toward a Balanced and Sustainable Immigration System

Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reflects a vision for responsible and sustainable growth, balancing economic needs, workforce stability, and community resources. Through IRCC, Canada remains committed to collaborating with provinces, territories, and stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition for newcomers while meeting the evolving needs of Canadian society. By managing the pace of growth and strengthening support systems, Canada’s new immigration plan aims to build a prosperous future for generations to come.