Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 to 2027 is reshaping the country’s migration priorities. With new targets for both permanent and temporary residents, this plan focuses on attracting skilled talent, reuniting families, and strengthening Francophone communities. If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada, knowing this policy update is essential to navigating the system more effectively.
Let’s look into what the new immigration plan means for your future in Canada.
Overview
Here’s a quick look at the new targets set by Canada’s government:
| Immigration Type | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | 2027 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residents | 395,000 | 380,000 | 365,000 |
| Temporary Residents | 673,650 | 516,600 | 543,600 |
This careful reduction over three years reflects the government’s focus on balancing immigration growth with housing, infrastructure, and job market needs.
Purpose of the New Immigration Plan
The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan lays out how many newcomers Canada intends to welcome, and through which pathways. It’s designed to address economic demands, boost the labour market, and support a sustainable immigration system.
The government’s key goals include:
- Filling labour gaps in healthcare, construction, and tech
- Strengthening family reunification
- Supporting French-speaking communities outside Quebec
Permanent Resident Targets
The plan focuses on gradually reducing permanent resident targets over three years. This shift aims to ease pressure on infrastructure while still supporting the economy through skilled immigrants.
Who Can Apply for Permanent Residency?
There are three primary routes:
- Economic Class
- Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Family Class
- Sponsorships for spouses, children, and parents/grandparents
- Refugees and Protected Persons
- Government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees
Express Entry
Express Entry remains the fastest route for skilled workers. It uses a points-based system to rank candidates based on:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language ability in English or French
Increased competition means you’ll need strong language scores and credentials to secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Provinces nominate candidates to meet local labour shortages. If you’re a skilled worker with experience in a high-demand sector, the PNP is an excellent path to PR.
Family Reunification
This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
You must meet financial requirements and sign a commitment to support your sponsored family member for several years.
Temporary Resident Targets
Temporary residents include foreign workers, international students, and visitors. The 2025–2027 plan includes adjusted targets:
- 2025: 673,650
- 2026: 516,600
- 2027: 543,600
The plan reflects a need to manage population growth while still allowing access to key workers and students.
Temporary Foreign Workers
Employers can hire workers to fill jobs no Canadian is available for. Key sectors include:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Healthcare
Expect stricter rules to prevent exploitation and ensure fairness.
International Students
International student numbers will be capped to ensure institutions maintain quality and housing availability. Graduates from Canadian institutions will still be strong candidates for permanent residency through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and Express Entry.
Why Immigration Is Crucial for Canada
With an aging population and low birth rate, immigration is Canada’s main engine for population and labour force growth. In fact, 90% of labour force growth in recent years came from immigrants.
Immigrants help fuel industries, start businesses, and bring global talent to the economy.
Real Success Stories
Tareq Hadhad, a Syrian refugee, built Peace by Chocolate in Nova Scotia. His story shows how immigrants create businesses, jobs, and meaningful impact in their new communities.
How Canada Supports Immigrants
Canada offers many programs to help newcomers settle in smoothly, such as:
- Settlement services like job search support and housing advice
- Language training (LINC programs for English and French)
- Community organizations that provide cultural, legal, and mental health support
Tips to Boost Your Immigration Success
- Check Your Eligibility
- Use the IRCC online tool to look into which programs fit your profile
- Improve Your Language Scores
- Prepare for the IELTS or TEF. Higher scores boost your Express Entry ranking.
- Get Your Documents Ready
- Collect proof of identity, education, work experience, and language results in advance
- Stay Updated
- Immigration policies shift. Always follow updates on the official Canada immigration site
FAQs
What are Canada’s PR targets for 2025?
Canada aims to welcome 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025.
Which programs fall under Economic Class?
Express Entry, PNP, Atlantic and Rural Immigration Programs.
Is Express Entry still active?
Yes, it’s the main pathway for skilled workers to gain PR.
Will student visas be limited?
Yes, new caps are planned to manage quality and housing.
What’s the focus of the new plan?
Skilled workers, family reunification, and Francophone support.
