Canada to welcome 380,000 permanent residents annually through 2028

Canada plans to welcome 380,000 new permanent residents annually between 2026 and 2028, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This policy aims to maintain immigration at a sustainable level while shifting focus toward economic immigration.

Economic immigration is expected to account for approximately 63% of permanent admissions in 2026, rising to 64% in 2027 and 2028. This represents one of the highest proportions of economic-focused admissions in over a decade.

Simultaneously, the Canadian government intends to reduce the proportion of temporary residents, such as international students and temporary workers, to below 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. The new framework emphasizes selecting profiles that meet specific Canadian labor market needs.