The 2027-2029 Levels Plan: What It Means for Newcomers
Every year, the federal government sets out how many new permanent and temporary residents Canada plans to welcome over the next three years. On November 5, 2026, IRCC released its 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan.
The headline is stability. Permanent resident targets stay at 380,000 a year, and temporary resident arrivals stay at 370,000 a year. But inside those numbers are some important changes, especially for people who are already living and working in Canada.
Quick answer: Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029. About 64% will come through economic programs. Canada also plans to welcome 370,000 new temporary residents a year, including 220,000 workers and up to 150,000 international students. A new time-limited measure will help up to 200,000 people already in Canada become permanent residents, and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot is becoming a permanent program.
What Is an Immigration Levels Plan?
IRCC describes the levels plan as a forward-looking snapshot of permanent and temporary resident targets for the next three years.
Each target comes with a range, a low and a high number, so IRCC has some flexibility. The plan for the first year is firm, while the later years can be confirmed or adjusted in the next plan.
For applicants, the levels plan matters because it shows which programs are growing, which are shrinking, and where the government’s priorities are.
The Government’s Three Priorities
IRCC says this plan is built around three priorities:
- Keeping control of the immigration system
- Meeting previous humanitarian commitments
- Working with provinces and territories to meet workforce needs
IRCC also says it wants to keep permanent resident admissions below 1% of Canada’s population beyond 2027, slow population growth so housing and services can catch up, and reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada.
Permanent Resident Targets for 2027
Here’s how the 380,000 permanent resident spaces are divided in 2027:
| Category | 2027 target | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | 244,700 | 64.4% |
| Family | 81,000 | 21.3% |
| Refugees and protected persons | 49,300 | 13.0% |
| Humanitarian, compassionate and other | 5,000 | 1.3% |
| Total | 380,000 | 100% |
These category totals stay the same in 2028 and 2029.
Economic Immigration: Where the Spaces Go
Economic immigration makes up the largest share of the plan.
| Program | 2027 target |
|---|---|
| Federal High Skilled (including Express Entry) | 100,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 95,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 7,900 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,000 |
| Rural Community Immigration Program | 5,500 |
| Federal Business | 1,500 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | To be set by Quebec |
Express Entry
Express Entry programs have a target of 100,000 a year, with a range of 87,000 to 123,000. IRCC also points to recent Express Entry reforms, including changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System and new measures for high-wage occupations.
Provincial Nominee Program
The PNP target stays at 95,000 a year. IRCC says planned admissions under the PNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program are increasing, partly to support the new time-limited measure for workers already in Canada.
Rural Community Immigration Program
This is one of the biggest changes. On November 9, 2026, IRCC announced that the Rural Community Immigration Pilot is now a permanent program. It will continue with the same 14 communities, with plans to add more in the future.
The target is 5,500 admissions in 2027, rising to 6,000 in 2028 and 6,500 in 2029.
Federal Economic Pilots
This group includes the Home Care Worker pilots for caregivers, the Agri-Food Pilot, the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, and the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. Together, they have a target of 7,900 in 2027.
Federal Business
Business immigration remains small, at 1,500 in 2027. The federal Start-up Visa Program has been paused since June 30, 2026.
What Changes From Year to Year
Most targets stay flat from 2027 to 2029. A few programs move:
| Program | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Community Immigration Program | 5,500 | 6,000 | 6,500 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 7,900 | 6,175 | 7,400 |
| Federal Business | 1,500 | 2,725 | 1,000 |
| French-speaking share outside Quebec | 9.5% | 10.5% | 12% |
The steady rise in rural and French-speaking targets shows where IRCC wants to grow, even while overall numbers stay the same.
Why the Ranges Matter
Each target has a low and high range. For example, the Express Entry target of 100,000 in 2027 can go as low as 87,000 or as high as 123,000. The PNP target of 95,000 has a range of 83,000 to 106,000.
That flexibility lets IRCC shift spaces between programs during the year. So the targets are a strong signal, but they’re not a fixed cap or a promise of a certain number of invitations.
Quebec Sets Its Own Numbers
Quebec selects its own skilled workers and business immigrants, so its economic targets are listed as “to be determined” in the federal plan. IRCC says Quebec’s plan is to be tabled in fall 2026.
Family Sponsorship
Family immigration has a target of 81,000 a year:
- Spouses, partners and children: 66,000
- Parents and grandparents: 15,000
IRCC also says one goal of the new time-limited measure is to bring spousal sponsorship wait times outside Quebec closer to 12 months.
Refugees and Humanitarian Admissions
Refugee and protected person admissions have a target of 49,300 a year:
- Protected persons in Canada and their dependants abroad: 20,000
- Privately sponsored refugees: 17,550
- Government-assisted refugees: 11,750
Humanitarian, compassionate and other admissions have a target of 5,000.
Temporary Resident Targets
Canada plans to welcome 370,000 new temporary residents a year from 2027 to 2029.
| Category | Target each year |
|---|---|
| International Mobility Program workers | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program workers | 50,000 |
| International students | 150,000 |
| Total | 370,000 |
IRCC says the 2027 targets for workers, students and permanent residents are consistent with last year’s plan. The 2028 and 2029 temporary resident numbers are notional and may be adjusted.
Helping People Already in Canada Become Permanent
This plan puts a strong focus on people who are already here.
A New Time-Limited Measure
IRCC is introducing a time-limited measure in 2027 for up to 200,000 people already in Canada:
- Up to 100,000 workers and their families, including people nominated through increased PNP allocations, or who applied under certain programs that are now closed to new applicants
- Up to 100,000 humanitarian cases, including people in the Hong Kong and Ukraine pathways, and people already found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
One-Time Initiatives Already Under Way
IRCC also says it will finish two one-time initiatives from Budget 2025 in 2026 and 2027:
- Speeding up permanent residence for up to 115,000 protected persons in Canada and their in-Canada dependants
- Speeding up permanent residence for up to 33,000 work permit holders
The In-Canada Workers Initiative, announced in May 2026, will also be completed in 2027.
French-Speaking Immigration Outside Quebec
Canada is raising its targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec:
- 2027: 9.5% (31,825 admissions)
- 2028: 10.5% (35,175 admissions)
- 2029: 12% (40,200 admissions)
If you speak French, this is a good time to make sure your language skills are reflected in your application.
What This Means for You
If you’re in the Express Entry pool: About 100,000 spaces are planned each year. Your CRS score still matters, and recent CRS changes for high-wage occupations may affect your ranking.
If you’re working in Canada: The new time-limited measure and increased PNP allocations suggest more opportunities for people already in Canada. Watch for details from IRCC and your province.
If you live in a rural community: The permanent Rural Community Immigration Program creates a long-term pathway for newcomers in participating communities.
Sponsoring a spouse: IRCC wants to bring spousal wait times outside Quebec closer to 12 months.
Planning to study in Canada: Up to 150,000 new students a year are planned, so study permit spaces remain limited.
If you can speak French: French-speaking targets outside Quebec are rising every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many permanent residents will Canada admit in 2027?
IRCC’s target is 380,000, with a range of 352,500 to 422,000.
Is Canada reducing immigration?
Permanent resident targets stay at 380,000 a year, and temporary resident arrivals stay at 370,000. IRCC says it wants to keep permanent resident admissions below 1% of the population and reduce the overall number of temporary residents.
How many people will be invited through Express Entry?
The plan targets 100,000 Federal High Skilled admissions in 2027, which includes Express Entry. Actual invitations depend on IRCC’s draws.
Is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot ending?
No. IRCC announced on November 9, 2026, that it’s becoming a permanent program.
What is the new time-limited measure?
It’s a 2027 measure to help up to 200,000 people already in Canada become permanent residents, including up to 100,000 workers and up to 100,000 humanitarian cases.
Before You Apply
The 2027-2029 levels plan rewards people who are already in Canada, who speak French, or who are connected to provinces and rural communities. Knowing where the spaces are can help you choose the right program and apply at the right time.
If you want to know how the new levels plan affects your path to permanent residence, TDOT Immigration can review your profile and options. Book a consultation with our team.
Sources
- IRCC - Supplementary Information for the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan
- IRCC - Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system
- IRCC - Canada’s immigration levels
- IRCC - Canada creates a permanent immigration pathway to help rural communities attract and retain talent
- IRCC - Start-up Visa: Who can apply
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