Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Every New Rule Explained

Canada is admitting 380,000 permanent residents each year through 2028. That number holds steady, but everything around it is shifting.

In November 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan, and in April 2026 listed plans in its Forward Regulatory Plan to replace the three skilled worker programs managed through Express Entry with a single new class. If you're applying for permanent residence, sponsoring family, coming as a student, or working in Canada, the next three years will look different than the last eleven.

Below is every material change, what it means for your situation, which pathways are getting faster or harder, and what to do now. For how the plan is showing up in the official population numbers, see Canada population 2026: who came, who left. The next plan, for 2027 to 2029, is due by November 1, 2026: see what to expect from the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan.

As of October 2, 2026.

What is in Canada’s 2026-2028 immigration plan?

Short answer: Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan locks permanent resident admissions at 380,000 per year (no growth from 2025), shifts the economic class share from about 63% in 2026 to 64% in 2027 and 2028, holds family reunification near 80,000, and dramatically cuts new temporary resident admissions.

The bigger story sits inside the 43% cut to temporary residents and the overhaul coming to Express Entry.

What changed from the previous immigration levels plan?

Short answer: The headline number barely moved. The previous plan, released on October 24, 2024, already set 380,000 permanent residents for 2026 and planned to drop to 365,000 in 2027. The 2026 to 2028 plan keeps 2026 at 380,000, raises 2027 to 380,000 and adds 380,000 for 2028. The real change is the mix inside that total: many more provincial nominees, fewer parents and grandparents, and far fewer new temporary residents.

Old plan figures come from IRCC's 2025 to 2027 supplementary information, and new plan figures from the 2026 to 2028 supplementary information. IRCC says it will confirm or adjust the 2027 and 2028 figures by November 1 of each year. The parents and grandparents cut was followed by a full pause: on July 15, 2026, IRCC stopped accepting new interest to sponsor forms and sending invitations until further notice. Our parent sponsorship guide covers what families can do instead.

What does Canada's 2026-2028 immigration plan actually do?

Short answer: Three explicit goals: stabilise PR admissions at sustainable levels (abandoning the earlier 500,000/year trajectory), cut temporary residents by nearly half over three years, and prioritise economic immigration. The plan reads as a deliberate cooldown after the 2022-2024 expansion.

The federal government has three explicit goals:

1. Stabilise permanent residence at sustainable levels. The earlier trajectory toward 500,000 PR/year has been abandoned. 380,000 is the target for each of the next three years, with a planned range of 350,000 to 420,000. IRCC describes the plan as a return to sustainable immigration levels.

2. Slash temporary resident arrivals from 673,650 (2025) to 385,000 (2026) and stabilise at 370,000 for 2027–2028. This is a 43% year-over-year cut. The target is to bring temporary residents down to less than 5% of Canada's total population by the end of 2027. If you're in Canada on a work or study permit right now, this affects your exit strategy.

3. Rebalance immigration toward economic class and francophone recruitment. Economic migrants will represent 64% of PR admissions by 2027 (up from 59%). Francophone immigration destined for outside Quebec will reach 10.5% of total PR admissions by 2028. Family reunification stays modest at 84,000 for 2026, declining to 81,000 by 2028.

This is a pro-economic-selection, pro-francophone, anti-temporary-resident plan rather than an anti-immigration plan.

Why is Canada keeping permanent resident targets at 380,000?

Short answer: Canada is locking in 380,000 PR admissions for 2026, 2027, and 2028, with no increase and no decrease. The earlier 500,000-by-2025 trajectory was abandoned. The economic class share is rising to 64% within this fixed total, giving more room to skilled workers and provincial nominees.

Canada is locking in 380,000 permanent resident admissions for three consecutive years. No increase, no decrease.

Why the pivot? In 2022 and 2023, the government forecast that 500,000 PR/year would be feasible and set that as a target. Housing shortages, education capacity, and healthcare strain became impossible to ignore.

The 380,000 figure is lower but still high by historical standards. It's also below 1% of Canada's total population.

For applicants, demand and competition both stay high. The number of people chasing 380,000 spots far exceeds the seats available, and Express Entry cut-offs and provincial nominee programs will remain competitive.

Who Benefits from the PR Stabilization

• Express Entry applicants with strong profiles (Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470+). You're still in the pool. Invitations will continue regularly, though Express Entry is being restructured (more below).
• Provincial Nominee Program candidates. With economic class share rising to 64%, provinces have more wiggle room to nominate people. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains a route to permanent residence for mid-range profiles.
• Francophone immigrants. The government is targeting 10.5% of PR admissions to francophones outside Quebec by 2028, up from 9% in 2026. If you're an English speaker willing to reach TEF/TCF level, this is your fastest re-route to permanent residence.
• Family class sponsorship. Numbers are modest (84,000 for 2026), but the government is committing to process those applications consistently.

What temporary resident reductions are in Canada's 2026-2028 plan?

Short answer: Canada's 2025 plan targeted 673,650 new temporary residents (work permits and study permits combined). The 2026-2028 plan sets new temporary resident arrivals at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028, a 43% cut in 2026. Student permits and International Mobility Program work permits absorb most of the reduction.

The biggest shift in the plan is the collapse of temporary resident admissions.

In 2025, Canada's plan targeted 673,650 new temporary residents (people arriving on work permits and study permits). That number drops to 385,000 in 2026, a cut of 288,650 people in a single year.

Put differently, the 2026 target is about 57% of the 2025 target.

Why This Matters

For international students: The study permit target drops from 305,900 (2025) to 155,000 (2026), a 49% cut. Your university's revenue model may have depended on 300+ international students per cohort. That is changing. Schools are already signaling they will be more selective about international applications. Scholarship funding, campus part-time job availability, and post-graduation work permit access are tightening.

For temporary foreign workers: Temporary worker arrivals are being cut by 37% in raw numbers. Sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction, and elder care will feel this immediately. If your employer has been planning to hire you on a work permit and then transition you to permanent residence, the timeline may have shifted. You may be competing against more Canadian applicants for the same role.

For anyone already in Canada on a permit: If your work permit or study permit expires in 2026 or 2027, you need to know your options now. The government is pushing selected temporary residents toward permanent residence rather than extending temporary status. Line up a PR pathway before your permit expires.

The Numbers: What's Actually Happening

The plan allocates:

• 155,000 study permits in 2026, down to 150,000 in 2027–2028
• Temporary foreign workers (TFW): 60,000 in 2026 and 50,000 in 2027 to 2028, down from 82,000 in the previous plan
• International Mobility Program (IMP) work permits: 170,000 per year

The government is also running a one-time, two-year initiative to regularize 115,000 protected persons as permanent residents. IRCC will also accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. IRCC says the protected person admissions are in addition to the 380,000 target.

How is Express Entry changing under Canada's 2026-2028 plan?

Short answer: In April 2026, IRCC's Forward Regulatory Plan proposed repealing the three programs managed through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades (FST)) and replacing them with one federal high-skilled class. Nothing is law yet. IRCC's public consultation ran April 23 to May 24, 2026.

In April 2026, IRCC proposed replacing the three programs managed through Express Entry, which has defined federal high-skilled immigration since 2015.

What's Happening

IRCC proposes to repeal the three programs managed through Express Entry:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)

IRCC proposes to replace them with a single new federal high-skilled class with simplified eligibility, and its consultation proposed updating the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

What We Don't Know Yet

IRCC's consultation (April 23 to May 24, 2026) proposed minimum requirements of a high school credential, CLB 6, and one year of skilled work experience (TEER 0 to 3). The final criteria, CRS weights, implementation date, and transition rules for people already in the pool have not been announced. Any program changes would be published in the Canada Gazette.

It's the biggest change to Express Entry since it launched in 2015, and the final details haven't been announced.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you don't have a profile in the pool: Create one immediately. The current three classes remain fully operational. The government is still issuing invitations through these programs. Do not wait for details about the new class before building your profile. Use the time now to improve your language scores, education credentials, or Canadian work experience.

If you already have a profile in the pool: Do not withdraw it. Keep it active. The government continues to issue regular invitations through CEC, FSWC, and FSTC. You may receive an invitation under the old rules before the new system launches. IRCC has not said how profiles already in the pool would be treated if the new class is introduced.

If you're still outside Canada: A job offer or Canadian work experience will become more valuable. IRCC's consultation proposes restoring job-offer points, but only for job offers in high-wage occupations. Getting to Canada on a work permit first gives you optionality.

What are the current Express Entry cut-off scores in 2026?

Short answer: In Q1 2026, Canadian Experience Class cut-offs sat at 507-511 and Provincial Nominee Program draws closed at 710-802, scores that include the 600 CRS points a provincial nomination adds. IRCC held no Federal Skilled Worker-only draws in 2026. Category-based draws now run alongside program-specific draws.

While the long-term future is uncertain, Q1 2026 cut-offs are clear.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 507 to 511 (holding high)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: no FSW-only draws were held in 2026
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws: 710–802 depending on province and program
• French-language draws: 393–400 (the most accessible general pathway for English speakers willing to learn French)
• Trades draws: ~477 (April 2)
• Healthcare draws: ~467
• First-ever Senior Managers draw: March 5, 2026 at CRS 429 with 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This is new and worth watching if you have management-level Canadian experience.

What This Tells Us

CEC cut-offs are holding above 500. Demand for Canadian work experience is strong, and the pool of eligible CEC candidates is large.

French-language draws are much more accessible. This is intentional: the government wants to boost Francophone immigration, and they are using competitive cut-offs to incentivize language learning.

PNP cut-offs remain in the 700s+ range because each province sets its own targets and criteria. Those scores include the 600 points a provincial nomination adds.

CEC cut-offs stayed above 500 in every 2026 draw through October 1 (507 to 523).

How do category-based Express Entry draws work in 2026?

Short answer: IRCC now supplements program-specific draws with category-based draws. The 2026 categories include healthcare, trades, French-language proficiency, transport, STEM, and education. Strategy: target the category that fits your profile and shifts the cut-off in your favour.

IRCC now runs category-specific invitations alongside program-specific draws. This changes strategy for applicants.

Why This Matters

Rather than one weekly draw from the entire pool, IRCC now announces draw categories (sometimes just CEC, sometimes French speakers, sometimes trades, sometimes PNP candidates). Your ability to land an invitation depends on:

1. Your profile fitting a draw category
2. Enough space in that category
3. A low enough cut-off for your CRS

The Categories Being Drawn (2026)

• Canadian Experience Class: Regular draws, 1,000 to 8,000 ITAs in 2026
• French speakers: Regular draws, 4,000 to 8,500 ITAs in Q1 2026, CRS 393 to 400 (lowest cut-offs)
• Healthcare professionals: Occasional, CRS ~467
• Skilled trades: Occasional, CRS ~477
• STEM occupations: Current category; no STEM draw had been held in 2026 as of October 1
• Senior managers with Canadian experience: New category (2026), CRS 429 on March 5

Tactical Guidance

• If you're fluent in English but your CRS is 470–500, consider investing 6–12 months in French. TEF/TCF certification costs $400–500 and opens a dramatically more accessible draw category (CRS 393–400).
• If you have a trade designation or healthcare credentials, watch for category-specific draws. These often have lower cut-offs than the general pool.
• If your CRS is 480 to 510, whether you receive an invitation depends on the cut-off of each draw, and no timeline is guaranteed.

How do Provincial Nominee Programs fit into the 2026-2028 immigration plan?

Short answer: A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which in practice has put nominees above recent Express Entry cut-offs, though an invitation is not guaranteed (PNP draw cut-offs ranged from 697 to 805 in 2026). The PNP target rises from 55,000 in the previous plan to 91,500 in 2026 and 92,500 in 2027 and 2028, within the 64% economic class share.

While Express Entry gets headlines, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are expanding, with the PNP target rising from 55,000 in the previous plan to 91,500 in 2026.

Why PNP Is Attractive

• Lower cut-off overall: A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which in practice has put nominees above recent Express Entry cut-offs, though an invitation is not guaranteed.
• No points lost to luck: Express Entry invites the highest-ranking candidates in each draw. PNP is a direct nomination if you meet criteria and the province has capacity.
• Active provincial recruitment: Provinces are recruiting actively for economic class immigration. With the federal economic class share rising to 64%, provinces have more headroom in their allocations.

Active Provinces (2026)

• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Francophone, skilled worker, and employer job offer streams.
• British Columbia (BC PNP): Skilled worker and international graduate pathways. Relatively accessible CRS thresholds.
• Alberta: Tech and healthcare focus. Growing recruitment.
• Atlantic Canada: Active recruitment across all four provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island). Smaller pools, faster processing in some cases.
• Manitoba, Saskatchewan: Smaller programs but accepting candidates.

What to Do

If your CRS is 450–600 and you're ineligible for Express Entry draws in the short term, apply to provincial programs in your province of choice. Treat PNP as a parallel track, not a backup.

What does the 2026-2028 plan mean for family sponsorship?

Short answer: 2026 family-class admissions target 84,000 (spouses, dependent children, parents, grandparents); 2027 and 2028 target 81,000 each. Spousal sponsorship is not affected by the new plan. IRCC's processing-time tool currently shows about 18 months for a spouse abroad and about 26 months for a spouse in Canada (outside Quebec). The Parents and Grandparents Program is structurally constrained; Super Visa remains the practical alternative for most applicants.

The government is committing to family reunification but in modest numbers.

The Numbers

• 2026: 84,000 family class admissions (spouses, dependent children, parents, grandparents)
• 2027–2028: 81,000 annually
• Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) spots: 15,000 annually for 2026–2028

What This Means

Family sponsorship is alive but not expanding. If you want to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, the process remains relatively straightforward, but IRCC's processing-time tool currently shows about 18 months for a spouse abroad and about 26 months for a spouse in Canada (outside Quebec). If you want to sponsor dependent children, check the same tool for current times.

If you want to sponsor parents or grandparents, the plan allows 15,000 admissions a year through the Parents & Grandparents Program. IRCC paused the program on July 15, 2026: it is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting sponsors to apply until further notice. If you're eligible (Canadian citizen or PR with sufficient income), keep your income documents in order so you can act if IRCC reopens intake, and read our parent sponsorship guide for the options open now.

Income Requirements for PGP (2026)

Sponsoring parents or grandparents requires demonstrating income above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, known as the minimum necessary income, for your family size, in each of the 3 tax years before you apply. For the 2025 intake, the 2024 figure was $47,549 for a family of 2 and $58,456 for a family of 3.

Alternative: Super Visa

If you don't meet PGP eligibility or timelines, the Super Visa (valid for up to 10 years, allows stays of up to 5 years per entry) is another option for bringing parents to Canada long-term without sponsoring them permanently. Super Visa holders can live in Canada repeatedly but are not permanent residents.

Why is francophone immigration faster for English speakers in 2026?

Short answer: The federal government is targeting 10.5% of PR admissions to francophones outside Quebec by 2028 (and 12% by 2029). With fewer French-speaking applicants in the pool, the French-language Express Entry category clears CRS cut-offs more than 100 points below CEC. Upskilling French is structurally rewarded.

The government is targeting 10.5% of PR admissions to francophones outside Quebec by 2028. This is a structural advantage if you're willing to upskill in French.

Why Francophone Immigration Is Growing

• Fewer French-speaking applicants than English-speaking globally
• Quebec workforce needs fill
• Government commitment to French language preservation
• Federal target to boost francophone economic integration outside Quebec

Current Reality (2026)

• French-language Express Entry draws: 4,000 to 8,500 ITAs per draw in Q1 2026, CRS 393 to 400
• Francophone provincial programs: Ontario (OINP) has a francophone stream; other provinces are launching
• Time to get TEF/TCF: 3–6 months of study for someone bilingual at B1–B2 in both languages

Worked Example

If your English CRS is 480 (roughly IELTS 7.0, Canadian bachelor's degree, 1 year Canadian experience) and you add French B2 (TEF 400+), your new CRS becomes eligible for a francophone draw at CRS 393–400.

In Q1 2026, French-language draws closed at 393 to 400, more than 100 points below CEC draws, so a profile that qualifies for this category competes against a lower cut-off.

Which Test to Take

• TEF: Faster scoring (11 days), accepted by IRCC, $450 CDN
• TCF: Also accepted, similar scoring timeline, slightly lower cost
• Both require a testing center; both have prep materials

For someone with working knowledge of both English and French, upskilling in French is the fastest path to Express Entry right now.

What does the 2026-2028 immigration plan mean for your situation?

Short answer: Work permit holders: fewer extensions, faster pressure to transition to PR. International students: stricter PGWP rules and tighter post-grad timelines. PR-bound profiles: target a category-based draw or PNP rather than waiting for general invitations. New entrants from abroad: harder to enter on temporary status, easier through Express Entry French category.

You're in Canada on a Work Permit

The reality: Your employer may have planned to hire you long-term, but the temporary resident cuts mean fewer work permit extensions and faster pressure to transition to permanent residence or leave.

What to do:

1. Confirm your work permit expiry date
2. If you have Canadian experience and a job offer, start an Express Entry application now (CEC stream)
3. If your employer is supportive, ask about sponsorship through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) pathway, which can lead to PR
4. If your profile is borderline for Express Entry, explore PNP options in your province
5. Do not plan on a straightforward work permit extension beyond 2026 without a PR pathway in place

You're an International Student Finishing Your Degree

The reality: Your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) length and pathway to PR have tightened.

What to do:

1. Apply for your PGWP immediately after graduation (many programs have a window to apply)
2. Secure a job offer in Canada within the PGWP period if possible
3. Use the PGWP work experience to build an Express Entry profile (CEC stream)
4. If you're struggling to meet Express Entry cut-offs, explore PNP in your province
5. Consider French upskilling if your CRS is 450–480. A francophone-friendly province like Quebec (QSWP) or Ontario (francophone streams) may offer faster PR

You're Outside Canada with a CRS of 420–470

The reality: You're in the pool but below the current cut-off.

What to do:

1. Improve language scores if they're below Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 (IELTS 6.0). Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 can add 50+ CRS points
2. Pursue Canadian work experience or education (come on a work permit or study permit, then build profile)
3. Explore French certification as a CRS booster
4. Apply to PNP in a province that suits your occupation
5. Watch for category-specific draws (healthcare, trades, STEM) if your occupation qualifies

You're Outside Canada with a CRS of 480+

The reality: You're eligible for Express Entry, but an invitation depends on each draw's cut-off, and CEC draws in 2026 have closed at 507 or higher.

What to do:

1. Create and activate your profile now
2. If you're below 500, confirm your profile is optimized (correct National Occupational Classification (NOC), strongest language test scores, all credentials uploaded)
3. Stay patient. Invitations are being issued regularly across categories
4. If you have French, activate that for category-specific draws
5. Have your supporting documents ready (university transcript, employment reference letters, identity documents) so you can prepare your application within 60 days of receiving an invitation

You Want to Sponsor a Parent or Grandparent

The reality: IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents Program intake on July 15, 2026, until further notice. It plans to approve up to 15,000 people in 2026 from applications already in processing.

What to do:

1. Keep your income above the minimum necessary income for your family size for 3 consecutive tax years
2. Gather documents: Notice of Assessment (NOA), tax returns, employment letter
3. If IRCC reopens the program, follow the process it announces. Recent rounds invited sponsors from a pool of interest to sponsor forms
4. Watch IRCC's parents and grandparents page for any reopening notice before you plan a PGP file
5. Apply for a Super Visa if your parents want to spend long periods in Canada now. It allows stays of up to 5 years per entry

You Want to Sponsor a Spouse or Partner

The reality: This pathway remains available and is not affected by the new levels plan.

What to do:

1. Apply as soon as possible
2. Processing times currently run about 18 months for a spouse abroad and about 26 months for a spouse in Canada, outside Quebec (longer if additional security checks required)
3. Ensure your spouse meets the admissibility requirements (no criminal record, no health reasons for inadmissibility)
4. Use the time while your application is processing to have your spouse gather documents and prepare for arrival
5. Spousal sponsorship is not affected by the new levels plan

When do the key changes in Canada's 2026-2028 immigration plan take effect?

Short answer: April 2026: IRCC's Forward Regulatory Plan proposes replacing the three Express Entry programs. April 23 to May 24, 2026: public consultation. No implementation date has been announced. Apply under the current system while it remains operational.

What's uncertain: The implementation date, final eligibility criteria, and transition rules for people in the current pool have not been announced. The spring 2026 consultation is closed.

What questions do people ask about Canada's 2026-2028 immigration plan?

Canada's 2026-2028 immigration plan raises common questions about permanent resident targets, Express Entry changes, and what reductions to temporary residents mean for individual applicants. The plan sets 380,000 permanent residents per year through 2028, reduces new temporary residents by 43%, and IRCC proposes replacing the three programs managed through Express Entry with one federal high-skilled class. Below are the most common questions answered directly.

How many immigrants will Canada let in in 2026?

380,000 permanent residents (this is the federal intake target). Canada will also admit 385,000 new temporary residents (international students, temporary foreign workers, and other temporary statuses). Together, that's approximately 765,000 people arriving in Canada with official status in 2026. This is down sharply from the 2025 plan's combined targets of about 1.07 million (395,000 permanent and 673,650 temporary).

What are the changes in the IRCC 2026 plan?

The three biggest changes are:

1. Temporary residents are being cut by 43%. Down from the 2025 target of 673,650 to 385,000 new arrivals in 2026.
2. Express Entry's three programs are proposed to be replaced. IRCC proposes to repeal the FSWC, CEC, and FSTC classes in favor of a single federal class (not yet law).
3. Economic class is rising from 59% to 64% of PR admissions. The government is prioritizing skilled workers and people with job offers over family reunification.

Will the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw go below 500 in 2026?

Not so far. Every CEC draw in 2026 through October 1 closed between 507 and 523. IRCC does not publish forecasts, so check the latest draw results before planning around a cut-off.

What's replacing Express Entry?

IRCC proposes a single federal high-skilled class with simplified eligibility (the consultation proposed a high school credential, CLB 6, and one year of skilled work experience) and an updated CRS. Nothing is law yet, and IRCC has not announced an implementation date.

When do I apply for the Parents & Grandparents Program?

You cannot apply right now. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused the program and stopped accepting new interest to sponsor forms and sending invitations until further notice. Check IRCC's parents and grandparents page for updates. In the meantime, the Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay up to 5 years per entry. Our parent sponsorship guide compares both routes.

Does this plan affect international student applications for fall 2026?

Yes. The study permit target has been cut by 49% (305,900 to 155,000). Universities are becoming more selective. If you're applying to Canadian schools for fall 2026, ensure your application is strong on academics and language (IELTS 6.5+). Some schools are now requiring proof of housing or increased financial requirements.

Does this affect my visitor visa?

No. Visitor visas are a separate category from temporary residents. The cuts apply to work permits and study permits, not tourism or visiting.

Is permanent residence getting harder in 2026?

Not harder. Staying the same. 380,000 spots for the year means demand remains high. But the pool is also large. Your competitive advantage comes from optimizing your CRS, building Canadian experience, learning French, or nominating through a provincial program.

What if the new Express Entry class has worse odds for my profile?

IRCC has not published transition rules for profiles already in the pool. Do not withdraw. Keep your profile active.

Can I still bring my spouse to Canada?

Yes. Spousal sponsorship remains available and is not affected by the new levels plan. Processing times currently run about 18 months for a spouse abroad and about 26 months for a spouse in Canada, outside Quebec.

What should you do now under Canada's 2026-2028 immigration plan?

Short answer: Create an Express Entry profile immediately if you qualify (the current system is operational). Target a category-based draw or PNP. If studying in Canada, confirm your program is PGWP-eligible. If on a work permit, plan your PR transition before the temporary resident cuts tighten. If planning to immigrate from abroad, build French to NCLC 7 for the lower-CRS category draws.

1. If you're planning to immigrate: Create an Express Entry profile immediately (free on Canada.ca). The current system is operational and invitations are being issued regularly.

2. If you're studying in Canada: Plan your post-graduation work permit and PR pathway now. Do not assume extensions are automatic.

3. If you're working in Canada: Confirm your work permit expiry and have a PR application plan for 12 months before it expires.

4. If you're planning to sponsor family: Gather income documents. If you want to sponsor parents/grandparents, note that IRCC paused new intake on July 15, 2026, so the Super Visa is the open route for now.

5. If you're a French speaker (or willing to learn): Pursue French certification. It's the fastest CRS improvement available right now.

6. If your CRS is 450–600: Explore Provincial Nominee Programs in your target province as a parallel track to Express Entry.

Permanent resident numbers stay flat for the next three years while temporary residency, Express Entry, and the skills-versus-family balance shift. The sooner you act, the better positioned you will be.

Need Personalized Advice?

The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan affects every pathway differently. Your optimal route depends on your qualifications, work experience, language ability, family situation, and timeline. Whether you are applying through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or sponsoring a family member, the changes to admission targets and program structures affect your plan and options.

Go Far Global's RCIC-IRB licensed immigration consultants (CICC #R515110) can review your specific situation and build a tailored roadmap. Every profile is unique. A paid 30-minute consultation can clarify your next steps. If you want a quick first check of your options, start with our free immigration assessment.

Book a consultation or use our free CRS calculator to get started.

This article was reviewed by Go Far Global's RCIC-IRB licensed practitioners (CICC #R515110). Information current as of October 2, 2026, and sourced from Canada.ca, IRCC announcements, and CIC News reporting.

Sources

• Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
• Canada's Immigration Levels - IRCC
• IRCC Forward Regulatory Plan: Modernize Federal High-Skilled Immigration
• Express Entry: How it Works
• Provincial Nominee Programs
• Family Sponsorship
• Sponsor your parents and grandparents
• Study permit
• Temporary work permits
• Super Visa for parents and grandparents