Canada Immigration Changes 2026–2027: What Future Applicants Need to Know

Canada immigration changes 2026 introduce major updates to permanent residence targets, Express Entry selection, temporary residents, and international student pathways.

Reduced Permanent Residency Targets Under Canada Immigration Changes 2026

Under the new Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028, Canada has reduced its annual permanent resident intake target to 380,000 new permanent residents per year, representing a 24% decrease from previous targets.

This reduction reflects Canada’s focus on long-term sustainability. Instead of prioritising high intake numbers, the government is shifting toward quality and targeted selection, especially for industries experiencing ongoing labour shortages.

Applicants with in-demand skills and Canadian experience are expected to benefit most under this approach.

Closer Management of Temporary Residents

Canada is also tightening its approach to temporary residents. For 2026:

• The target for temporary resident admissions is 385,000

• The government aims to keep the temporary resident population below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027

These measures are designed to balance population growth with housing availability, infrastructure capacity, and public services.

New Express Entry Category for Healthcare Workers

To address critical healthcare shortages, Canada will introduce a new Express Entry category for healthcare professionals.

This category will prioritise occupations such as:

• Family physicians

• Medical specialists

• Other essential healthcare professionals

Healthcare workers can expect improved selection opportunities, increased Invitations to Apply (ITAs), and potentially faster processing times through Express Entry immigration programs, making this one of the most promising immigration pathways in 2026–2027.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR-to-PR) Pathway

A new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR-to-PR) pathway will allow up to 33,000 temporary workers to transition to permanent residence during 2026–2027.

This initiative aims to:

• Retain workers already contributing to Canada’s economy

• Reduce reliance on overseas recruitment

• Provide stability for individuals living and working in Canada

Temporary foreign workers with Canadian work experience will be particularly well positioned under this pathway.

Strong Emphasis on Economic Immigration

Economic immigration remains the foundation of Canada’s immigration system. Under the new plan:

• 64% of all permanent resident admissions in 2027 and 2028 will come from economic immigration programs

These include:

• Express Entry

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• Employer-driven immigration pathways

Canada is clearly prioritising applicants who can fill labour gaps and contribute immediately to economic growth.

Study Permit and PGWP Changes Under Canada Immigration Changes 2026

International students will also see important changes under the Canada immigration changes 2026–2027:

• International student admissions will be reduced by 10% in 2026

• Stricter eligibility rules will apply to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Prospective students are encouraged to choose programs carefully, focusing on fields linked to in-demand occupations and long-term immigration opportunities.