Canada’s new immigration level plan revealed in Budget 2026

The federal government revealed the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan as part of Budget 2026. Permanent resident admissions will remain at the current level of 380,000 per year across 2027, 2028, and 2029. Temporary resident arrivals will also be held steady at 370,000 per year during the same period. To support the plan, the budget provides $56.9 million over four years for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Up to 200,000 temporary residents will have the opportunity to become permanent residents by the end of 2027, with half considered for the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program. The budget also includes $151.5 million over five years for reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, aimed at better aligning with regional labour market needs and improving processing times. The overall framework seeks to balance economic needs, housing capacity, health care, and social services while supporting newcomers already living and working in Canada.

The budget also allocates an additional $302.3 million to support the implementation of the new immigration targets. This funding complements the earlier $56.9 million earmarked for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. A key component of the plan allows up to 200,000 temporary residents currently in Canada to apply for permanent residence by the end of 2027. Of those applicants, half will be evaluated for selection through the Express Entry system or the Provincial Nominee Program. This pathway is designed to provide greater flexibility for provinces and territories. The reforms aim to better align immigration with regional labour market demands while addressing pressures on housing, health care, and social services. The government states the plan will support newcomers already contributing to Canada’s economic future.