Important Updates in Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Plan
November 6, 2024
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The announcement of Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan brings a pivotal shift in how the country approaches immigration. Led by the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the plan seeks to balance population growth with sustainable development. Unlike previous strategies, this plan introduces reduced Canadian immigration targets, new controls for temporary resident numbers, and a shift toward long-term economic growth.
The Purpose Behind Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Plan
The Canadian government recognizes immigration as a crucial driver of economic resilience and growth. Following the pandemic, immigration played a major role in stabilizing Canada’s workforce, filling job vacancies, and boosting economic recovery. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has aimed to provide well-rounded support for Canada's economy and society by ensuring newcomers to Canada can access essential resources like jobs, housing, and social services.
However, this post-pandemic growth brought about significant pressures on infrastructure, housing, and public services. In response, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan seeks to reduce the pace of growth temporarily, aiming to establish a foundation for future sustainable expansion.
Adjusted Permanent Resident Targets for Sustainable Growth
Canada’s revised immigration targets reveal a temporary reduction in permanent resident admissions over the next two years, with a modest increase anticipated in 2027. Specifically:
- 395,000 permanent residents in 2025 (down from previous targets of 500,000)
- 380,000 permanent residents in 2026
- 365,000 permanent residents in 2027
These adjustments reflect the government’s commitment to aligning growth with available resources, addressing the concerns raised by Canadian communities regarding housing availability and service capacity. Below is a further breakdown.
| 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 |
Long-term Economic and Workforce Growth
The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan places a strong emphasis on economic class admissions, which will make up 61.7% of total permanent resident admissions by 2027. This decision underscores the need for professionals in high-demand sectors, such as health and skilled trades, to support Canada’s economic development and public services.
Bolstering Francophone Communities Outside Quebec
Another essential component of the plan is the focus on Francophone immigration, which aims to increase the percentage of French-speaking immigrants across provinces and territories outside Quebec. Targets are set to increase gradually from:
- 8.5% in 2025
- 9.5% in 2026
- 10% in 2027
By supporting Francophone communities, Canada is strengthening linguistic diversity and contributing to the economic vitality of these regions.
These adjustments will streamline the number of arrivals, improving the capacity of local communities to support new residents.
New Focus on Regulating Temporary Residents in Canada
The new plan introduces targeted reductions for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers in Canada. Temporary residents in Canada contribute significantly to Canada’s economy and cultural diversity, yet their rapid increase post-pandemic has highlighted limitations in housing and service support.
The government of Canada has set an ambitious goal to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. As a result:
- Canada’s temporary population will decrease by 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026.
- A slight increase of 17,439 in 2027 is projected.
This reduction aligns with Canada’s broader vision of sustainable population management, and the measures include caps on international students and revised eligibility requirements for temporary foreign worker programs.
| Year | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Changes to the International Student Program and Work Permits
The government has also introduced key reforms to ensure better oversight of international students and Canadian work permit holders. These reforms include:
- Adjusting the International Student Program to maintain manageable enrollment levels.
- Tightening eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers.
- Restricting post-graduation work permits and work permits for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers.
Emphasis on Transitioning Temporary Residents to Canadian Permanent Residency
To address Canada’s immediate workforce needs without excessive population growth, the plan promotes the transition of existing temporary residents to permanent residency. By 2025, over 40% of all permanent resident admissions will be made up of those already studying or working in Canada. This initiative ensures that skilled, educated, and well-integrated individuals will continue contributing to the economy while minimizing additional strain on resources.
Supporting Canada’s Economic Vision with a Balanced Immigration Strategy
Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan aligns with the country’s long-term vision of responsible growth, aiming to create a balanced approach to immigration that supports economic stability, workforce needs, and community infrastructure.
As IRCC works to implement these new levels, it will continue to consult with provinces, territories, and stakeholders to ensure that both Canadians and newcomers have access to well-paying jobs, affordable housing, and necessary support systems.
Through these targeted changes, the government remains committed to fostering a sustainable and thriving Canada for generations to come.