The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan is now the primary driver of Canada’s selection strategy, signaling a shift toward stability and domestic talent retention. For 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set a firm target of 380,000 new permanent resident (PR) admissions. This stabilization marks a departure from the rapid growth seen in previous years, focusing instead on integrating those already contributing to the Canadian economy.
Operationalizing the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
The operationalization of this plan is already visible in the frequency and nature of Express Entry invitation rounds. By capping admissions at 380,000, the government aims to balance economic needs with infrastructure capacity, such as housing and healthcare.
For applicants, this means a more competitive but predictable environment. The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan emphasizes “In-Canada” transitions, moving away from high-volume overseas recruitment to focus on temporary residents who have already demonstrated their ability to establish themselves economically.
Recent Express Entry Draw Trends
Reflecting the goals of the current levels plan, recent draws have targeted specific labor market gaps. On April 2, 2026, IRCC conducted a category-based draw for skilled trades.
Category | Details
|
|---|---|
Invitations Issued | 3,000 |
CRS Cut-off Score | 477 |
Target Occupations | Carpenters, plumbers, welders, and other Red Seal trades |
This draw illustrates how the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan prioritizes the construction and resource sectors to address the national housing shortage. The relatively accessible CRS score of 477 suggests that candidates in high-demand categories may find pathways to PR even if they do not meet the higher thresholds of general “All-Program” draws.
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Strategic Focus: The 33,000 TR to PR Initiative
A cornerstone of the 2026 strategy is the “In-Canada Workers Initiative.” Under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government has committed to transitioning 33,000 temporary residents (TR) to permanent status over the 2026-2027 period.
This initiative is not a broad-based “open” program like the 2021 pathway. Instead, it focuses on:
- Regional Growth: Prioritizing applicants living in smaller communities and rural areas for at least two years.
- Existing Inventories: Accelerating processing for those already in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) queues.
- Economic Integration: Focusing on workers in healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.
Future CRS Changes: High-Wage Job Offers
Looking ahead to late 2026, IRCC is considering significant structural changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Proposals currently under consultation suggest that candidates with “high-wage” job offers—those paying 1.3x to 2x the national median wage—could receive substantial additional points.
This move aligns with the broader goal of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan to attract and retain high-value talent that contributes significantly to Canada’s tax base. Practitioners and applicants should prioritize securing verified, high-wage employment offers to maximize their competitiveness in the pool.