Canada's 2026-2028 Levels Plan decoded: who wins, who loses?

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets how many people Canada will welcome each year, both as permanent and temporary residents. It’s the compass that explains why some pathways are widening while others are narrowing. Here’s a dated, plain-language read of the official numbers.

Permanent immigration: held at 380,000

After years of rising targets, the government is holding permanent resident admissions at 380,000 per year for 2026, 2027 and 2028. No increase, no further cut — a deliberate plateau meant to let the country absorb newcomers (housing, services, jobs).

The big winner: the economic class

The most important point: the economic share rises to 64% of admissions (up from about 59%), the highest proportion in decades. The message is clear — Canada is prioritizing skills and in-demand occupations.

• The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the standout winner: 91,500 spots in 2026 (up roughly 66% from the previous target of 55,000), with notional targets of 110,000 for both 2027 and 2028. Provinces will select far more candidates.
• The Canadian Experience Class and Express Entry more broadly remain central routes for temporary residents already in Canada who want to move to permanent residence.

The losers: students and temporary workers

On the other side, the plan sharply cuts temporary residents, aiming to bring their share below 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027:

• Study permits (new arrivals): 155,000 in 2026 (down from 305,900 in the previous plan), and about 150,000 for both 2027 and 2028 — nearly a 50% cut.
• Temporary workers: 230,000 in 2026, and 220,000 for both 2027 and 2028.

The result: tougher competition for study permits, and a greater need to choose a program that genuinely leads to permanent residence.

What it means for you

If your goal is permanent residence, the plan’s core message is simple: bet on the economic route, especially the fast-expanding PNP. Follow the July 2026 Express Entry draws and the new 2026 categories, and work on improving your CRS score, because competition for spots will stay strong.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Targets and numbers change: always verify the official figures on canada.ca, the only official source.