Canada's New Immigration Levels Plan 2027: What to Expect
Every year before November 1, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship is legally required under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to table a new Immigration Levels Plan covering the following years. This year that deadline falls within the next 30 days. By November 1, 2026, Canada will release a new plan covering 2027, 2028, and 2029 that will set permanent residence targets, temporary resident targets, category allocations, and Francophone immigration goals for the next three years.
The official canada.ca CIMM Immigration Levels Plan briefing, last updated September 4, 2026, confirmed it directly: "Work is underway to develop the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which will be tabled in fall 2026." That fall tabling is now weeks away.
For the 380,000 permanent residents admitted in 2026, for the thousands currently in the Express Entry pool, for employers planning their international hiring for 2027, and for every temporary resident whose pathway to permanent residence depends on Canada continuing to allocate sufficient spots, the November 2026 Levels Plan is one of the most important immigration announcements of the year. This blog explains what the current plan says, what is likely to change and what is likely to stay the same, why the timing matters for your specific situation, and what you should be doing right now before the new plan is released.
Not sure how the upcoming Levels Plan changes affect your immigration timeline? Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services today and get clarity from a licensed RCIC.
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
What the Current 2026-2028 Levels Plan Says
Before looking ahead to what the new plan might say, it helps to understand clearly what the current 2026-2028 plan contains. This is the baseline from which changes will be measured.
The 2026-2028 Levels Plan, confirmed on the official canada.ca levels page, sets the following targets. Permanent resident admissions are stabilized at 380,000 in 2026, 380,000 in 2027, and 380,000 in 2028. These are the notional targets for 2027 and 2028 that the new plan will either confirm or adjust.
Temporary resident arrival targets are set at 385,000 new arrivals in 2026, reducing to 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028. New international student arrivals are targeted at 155,000 in 2026 and 150,000 in each of 2027 and 2028. New temporary worker arrivals are targeted at 230,000 in 2026 and 220,000 in each of 2027 and 2028.
Francophone immigration targets are set at 9 percent of total permanent resident admissions in 2026, increasing to 9.5 percent in 2027 and 10.5 percent in 2028, on a trajectory toward the government's commitment of 12 percent Francophone admissions outside Quebec by 2029.
Economic immigration is planned to represent 64 percent of all permanent resident admissions by 2027, the highest proportion in over a decade.
The plan also confirmed two one-time initiatives running in 2026 and 2027 that are in addition to, not part of, the 380,000 PR targets. These are the accelerated transition of up to 33,000 skilled temporary workers to permanent residence and the streamlined transition of approximately 115,000 protected persons and their dependents. These admission volumes are above and beyond the standard targets.
What the New 2027-2029 Plan Will Confirm or Change
The current 2026-2028 Levels Plan explicitly states that notional targets and ranges for 2027 and 2028 will be confirmed or adjusted by November 1 of each year. This means the upcoming 2027-2029 plan will do one of two things for the 2027 and 2028 targets already listed above. It will either confirm them as is or it will adjust them based on how Canada is tracking against its stated commitments.
Here is what the data suggests about which direction each target is likely to move.
The permanent resident target of 380,000 for 2027 is likely to be confirmed rather than changed. Canada committed to stabilizing PR admissions at 380,000 across the three years of the current plan and the government has been consistent in its messaging that this figure represents a sustainable level for Canada's current housing and service capacity. A significant change upward or downward to the 2027 PR target would represent a major policy shift that would require new justification.
The temporary resident target of 370,000 for 2027 is also likely to be confirmed or reduced further rather than increased. Canada's policy goal of reducing the temporary resident population to less than 5 percent of the total population by the end of 2027 has been a central government commitment. As of the March 2026 briefing, Canada had already reduced the non-permanent resident population from a peak of 7.6 percent to 6.5 percent. The trajectory toward the 5 percent goal requires continued reduction, not expansion.
The Francophone target for 2027 is set at 9.5 percent in the current plan. This is likely to be confirmed or increased slightly, given the government's unwavering commitment to reaching 12 percent Francophone admissions by 2029. The annual stepping-stone targets have been consistently increased year over year in recent plans and the 2027-2029 plan is unlikely to reverse this trend.
The Express Entry category priorities are reviewed annually and the new plan may introduce updated or new categories for 2027. The 2026 categories included French language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM occupations, skilled trades, education and childcare, and transport. Changes to category eligibility or the minimum work experience requirements can directly affect who qualifies for category-based draws. The current plan increased the minimum work experience requirement for renewed categories to one year for 2026. The 2027 plan may maintain or further adjust this.
Why the Timing Matters for Your Application
The release of a new Levels Plan matters to individual applicants for three specific reasons.
First, the plan sets how many spots are available in each category. If the 2027 plan increases the allocation for Francophone immigration as it is structured to do, the number of French language Express Entry invitations in 2027 may increase beyond the already significant volumes seen in 2026. If it adjusts category priorities, new occupations may become priority candidates while others are removed.
Second, the plan signals to IRCC how aggressively to issue draws in the remaining months of 2026 and the opening months of 2027. Canada is currently tracking behind its central 380,000 PR target for 2026. The release of the 2027 plan alongside the Annual Report to Parliament in November will also include updated data on where Canada stands against its 2026 targets, which may trigger a draw acceleration in Q4 2026.
Third, applicants who apply under current rules are assessed under those rules. When significant changes take effect, new applicants are assessed under the new framework. Applications already submitted at the time of a rule change are generally protected under the rules in place when they were submitted. This is the most direct reason why acting before November 1 matters for applicants who are eligible today under the current framework.
Every immigration case is unique. Before making any decisions based on the upcoming Levels Plan, speak with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to understand how the current and upcoming rules apply to your specific profile.
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
What This Means for Northern Ontario
The Levels Plan has direct implications for Northern Ontario workers, employers, and communities in three areas.
The Francophone target trajectory is excellent news for Northern Ontario. With the French-speaking permanent resident target rising from 9 percent in 2026 to 9.5 percent in 2027 and 10.5 percent in 2028, the number of French language Express Entry invitations is expected to grow year over year. For Northern Ontario workers who speak French, this means the most accessible Express Entry pathway is also the one most likely to expand under the new plan.
The stabilization of the PR target at 380,000 means that the overall volume of permanent residence admissions is not expected to decrease. Northern Ontario employers who are supporting workers through RCIP, OINP, or Express Entry can plan for a stable target environment rather than a shrinking one.
The confirmation or adjustment of the PNP allocation in the new plan will directly affect how many OINP invitations Ontario isseus under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Northern Ontario workers who have already submitted expressions of interest through the new OINP stream are waiting to see how the first invitation rounds are structured, which the new Levels Plan will help inform.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting for the new plan before taking action on your current eligibility
If you are eligible under current Express Entry rules today, waiting for the November plan introduces uncertainty without benefit. You do not know whether the new plan will help or hinder your specific profile. Applying now locks in the current rules.
Assuming the 380,000 PR target will increase significantly in 2027
The government has been consistent in its commitment to sustainable immigration levels. The 380,000 target represents a deliberate stabilization rather than a growth trajectory. Planning your application timeline around an assumed increase to PR targets in 2027 is not supported by the available data.
Confusing the one-time initiatives with the standard PR targets
The 33,000 In-Canada Workers Initiative and the 115,000 Protected Persons transition are in addition to the 380,000 PR target. They do not take spots from standard Express Entry, OINP, or family sponsorship pathways.
Not watching for changes to Express Entry category eligibility
The new plan may update which occupations are eligible for category-based draws in 2027. If your occupation is currently in an eligible category, confirm it is still listed under the 2027 categories after the November announcement before building your strategy around it.
Assuming the Francophone target increase automatically means lower CRS cutoffs
A higher Francophone admission target generally leads to more French language category draws or higher invitation volumes per draw. But CRS cutoffs depend on the size and composition of the pool as much as on IRCC's targets. More French-eligible candidates in the pool could offset the benefit of higher draw volumes.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Canada's immigration planning cycle moves faster than most people realize. The new 2027-2029 Levels Plan is coming within weeks and it will set the framework for every immigration decision you make in the next three years. Whether you are already in the Express Entry pool, considering your options under the current framework, or trying to understand how the upcoming plan affects your employer's workforce strategy, professional guidance from a licensed RCIC right now is the most effective preparation you can do.
Jennifer Johnson is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R709916) based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, serving clients across Northern Ontario and beyond.
Book your consultation today:
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will Canada release the new immigration levels plan for 2027?
A: Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Canada's Minister of Immigration must table the Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, including the new Levels Plan, by November 1 of each year or within 30 sitting days if Parliament is not in session. The official canada.ca CIMM briefing page confirmed in September 2026 that work is underway to develop the 2027-2029 Levels Plan for tabling in fall 2026. The new plan is expected to be released before November 1, 2026. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to understand how the current plan affects your application right now.
Q: Will Canada's permanent resident target change in 2027?
A: The current 2026-2028 Levels Plan sets a notional target of 380,000 permanent residents in both 2027 and 2028. The upcoming 2027-2029 Levels Plan will either confirm or adjust these notional figures. Based on the government's consistent messaging about sustainable immigration and the commitment to keep PR admissions below 1 percent of Canada's population beyond 2027, the 380,000 figure is expected to be confirmed rather than significantly changed. However, this will not be known officially until the new plan is tabled. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services for guidance based on current confirmed targets.
Q: How does the Francophone immigration target increase affect Express Entry candidates?
A: The Francophone permanent resident target rises from 9 percent in 2026 to 9.5 percent in 2027 and 10.5 percent in 2028, heading toward the government's stated 12 percent goal by 2029. This increasing target supports continued high volumes of French language Express Entry category draws. In 2026, French language draws issued more invitations than any other category with 50,500 invitations across 9 draws and CRS cutoffs as low as 382. The 2027 target increase is likely to sustain or grow this draw activity. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to assess whether French language proficiency could strengthen your Express Entry profile.
Q: Should I apply for a permanent residence pathway now or wait for the new Levels Plan?
A: If you are eligible for a permanent residence pathway (EE, PNP, RCIP) under current rules, applying now is generally advisable rather than waiting for the November announcement. Applications submitted to the system under current rules are assessed under those rules. A new plan could change category priorities, minimum requirements, or CRS weightings in ways that benefit or disadvantage your specific profile. Acting under known rules today avoids this uncertainty. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to review your current eligibility and determine whether acting now is the right decision for your specific situation.
Q: Will the new Levels Plan affect how many OINP invitations Northern Ontario issues?
A: The Levels Plan includes a provincial allocation for the Provincial Nominee Program which determines how many nominations Ontario can issue under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program each year. Changes to the overall PNP allocation in the 2027-2029 plan could affect the number of OINP Ontario Workforce Priority Stream invitations issued in 2027. Northern Ontario workers who have already submitted expressions of interest under the new OINP stream should monitor both the Levels Plan release in November and subsequent Ontario EOI invitation announcements. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to understand how provincial nomination fits into your permanent residence strategy.
References
All information in this blog has been verified against official Canadian government sources as of October 2, 2026.
- Government of Canada, CIMM Immigration Levels Plan (March 23, 2026, last modified September 4, 2026)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/committees/cimm-mar-23-2026/immigration-levels-plan.html - Government of Canada, Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels/supplementary-immigration-levels-2026-2028.html - Government of Canada, Canada's Immigration Levels (official levels page)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html
Government of Canada, 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration-2025.html
- Government of Canada, Express Entry: Category-Based Selection 2026
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html
Note: Immigration policies and levels plan targets change frequently. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend verifying current targets directly at canada.ca or booking a consultation with a licensed RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
