Canada has reduced its targets for new temporary residents for 2026–2028, while maintaining a permanent resident admission target of 380,000 per year.
The changes are particularly important for international students and temporary foreign workers who are planning to come to Canada or are already building their future in the country.
According to the Government of Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is targeting 385,000 new temporary residents in 2026, followed by 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028.
What Is the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan?
The Immigration Levels Plan sets out Canada’s planned numbers for permanent resident admissions and new temporary resident arrivals over a three-year period.
For 2026–2028, Canada is reducing the number of new temporary residents while maintaining permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually.
| Year | Temporary Residents | Permanent Residents |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 385,000 | 380,000 |
| 2027 | 370,000 | 380,000 |
| 2028 | 370,000 | 380,000 |
These temporary resident figures refer to new arrivals under Canada’s international student and temporary worker programs. They are not the total number of temporary residents already living in Canada.
For more details, see the IRCC information on temporary resident targets.
Why Is Canada Reducing Temporary Resident Targets?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the plan is intended to reduce the share of non-permanent residents in Canada to less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027.
The government has also stated that immigration levels are being aligned with labour market needs and pressures on housing, healthcare and other services.
The IRCC overview of the 2026–2028 Levels Plan provides additional information about these targets and government objectives.
What Does This Mean for International Students?
The number of new international student arrivals targeted by the plan is:
- 155,000 in 2026
- 150,000 in 2027
- 150,000 in 2028
These figures represent a substantial reduction compared with the previous level of planned student arrivals.
However, these are targets for new arrivals. They do not mean that current international students will automatically lose their status or that existing study permits will automatically be cancelled.
Students should continue to meet the conditions of their temporary status and follow the applicable IRCC requirements.
The IRCC 2026–2027 Departmental Plan provides further information about Canada’s approach to temporary residents and international students.
Does This Mean Study Permits Are No Longer Available?
No.
Canada continues to accept international students, but the government is managing the number of new arrivals through immigration targets and other measures.
Students should therefore make sure they meet all applicable requirements before applying for a study permit, including admission, financial and other eligibility requirements.
What Does the Plan Mean for Temporary Workers?
Temporary worker targets are higher than student targets under the 2026–2028 plan.
| Year | Temporary Workers | International Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 230,000 | 155,000 |
| 2027 | 220,000 | 150,000 |
| 2028 | 220,000 | 150,000 |
Across the three years, workers account for close to 60% of planned new temporary resident arrivals, while international students account for the remaining share.
The Government of Canada’s temporary resident targets provide the detailed breakdown for workers and students.
How Are Temporary Workers Being Prioritized?
The 2026–2028 plan places significant emphasis on Canada’s labour market needs.
For 2026, the temporary worker target includes:
- 170,000 under the International Mobility Program (IMP)
- 60,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
For 2027 and 2028, the total temporary worker target is 220,000 per year.
More information is available through the IRCC information on temporary workers.
What About Permanent Residence?
One important part of the plan is that permanent resident admissions remain stable.
Canada’s overall permanent resident target is 380,000 admissions per year from 2026 through 2028.
The economic immigration category represents the largest share of planned permanent resident admissions. According to IRCC, the economic category is expected to represent 64% of admissions in 2027 and 2028.
The official 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan provides the full breakdown of permanent resident targets.
Could This Affect People Already in Canada?
The reduction in new temporary resident targets does not mean that every international student or temporary worker currently in Canada will be required to leave.
People already in Canada must continue to comply with the conditions of their temporary status and apply for extensions or other immigration pathways when eligible.
The government has also indicated that it wants to support the transition of some temporary residents already in Canada to permanent residence when they have the skills and experience Canada needs.
Under the plan, the government intends to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.
Does This Mean Canada’s Immigration System Is Closing?
No.
The 2026–2028 plan does not eliminate temporary residence or permanent immigration programs.
Instead, Canada is reducing the number of new temporary resident arrivals while maintaining permanent resident admissions and placing greater emphasis on economic immigration and labour market needs.
According to IRCC’s 2026 immigration levels update, the plan continues to focus on economic immigration while managing temporary resident volumes.
What Should Students and Workers Do?
Anyone planning to study or work in Canada should focus on their individual eligibility rather than relying only on overall immigration targets.
- Check the current eligibility requirements before applying.
- Make sure your immigration documents remain valid.
- Understand the conditions attached to your study or work permit.
- Plan ahead for extensions or permanent residence options where eligible.
- Follow official IRCC updates because immigration policies and programs can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada reducing the number of international students?
The 2026–2028 plan sets targets of 155,000 new international student arrivals in 2026 and 150,000 in both 2027 and 2028.
Are current international students affected automatically?
No. The levels plan sets targets for new arrivals. Existing students must continue to follow the conditions of their valid status.
Are temporary workers still part of Canada’s immigration plan?
Yes. Canada has set temporary worker targets of 230,000 for 2026 and 220,000 for both 2027 and 2028.
Is Canada’s permanent resident target being reduced?
The overall permanent resident target is set at 380,000 for each year from 2026 through 2028.
Does the new plan guarantee permanent residence for temporary workers?
No. Immigration levels are planning targets and do not guarantee permanent residence to an individual applicant. Applicants must qualify under the requirements of the specific permanent residence program.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan represents an important change in how the country is managing new temporary resident arrivals, particularly international students and temporary workers.
At the same time, permanent resident admissions remain stable at 380,000 per year, with economic immigration continuing to represent the largest share of planned admissions.
For students and workers, the most important step is to understand how the current rules apply to their individual circumstances and plan their immigration pathway carefully.
Need Help Understanding Your Canadian Immigration Options?
Immigration policies and eligibility requirements can change. If you are planning to study, work or apply for permanent residence in Canada, professional guidance can help you understand your available options.
Contact Dhunna Immigration to discuss your Canadian immigration plans.