Canada announces new immigration goals for next three years

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced immigration targets for permanent residents over the next three years.

This includes reducing the number of new permanent residents and setting targets for temporary residents for the first time in Canada.

The new plan sets a target of 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, which will fall to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

This is a significant decrease from the previous target of 485,000 by 2024, Immigration News Canada (INC) reported.

For permanent residents

The announced targets include sector-specific details. In 2025, Canada plans to admit 395,000 permanent residents, with the lowest estimate being 367,000 and the highest estimate being 436,000.

• Over the next few years, the targets are 380,000 in 2026 (lowest: 352,000, high: 416,000) and 365,000 in 2027 (lowest: 338,000, high: 401,000).
• This means that Canada plans to set specific targets for permanent resident admissions during 2026 and 2027. The target for 2026 is 380,000 people, the minimum estimate is 352,000 people, and the maximum estimate is 416,000 people. The target for 2027 is 365,000, with the lowest being 338,000 and the highest being 401,000.

“By adjusting our goals, we aim to better manage our immigration system and address its current challenges.” The Minister of Immigration said: The plan includes various categories such as economic immigration, separated family reunions, and refugees.

For temporary residents

Canada is the first to introduce annual targets for temporary residents. The overall arrival target for 2025 is set at 673,650, with 516,600 expected in 2026 and 543,600 in 2027. Within this figure, the category of workers accounts for a significant portion, with 367,750 expected in 2025.nnn

“Temporary residents play a vital role in our economy, and we want to strike the right balance going forward.” The minister added:

Changes from Previous Plan

The previous immigration levels plan aimed to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and maintain 500,000 per year in the following years.

The new plan reflects a change in strategy, with the country expected to see 90,000 fewer permanent residents in 2025 compared to the previous target.

As previously mentioned, adjustments were necessary to reflect current circumstances and future requirements.

What the new plan means

The new immigration level plan will impact a variety of sectors in Canada.

• Employers in major industries may struggle to recruit as the number of new immigrants declines. Families seeking to be reunited may face long waiting times.
• Miller emphasized the importance of this change. “We must support economic growth while also ensuring our immigration system is sustainable.” he said
• The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan provides a clear direction for Canada’s immigration policy, balancing the need for new immigrants with the realities of the current economic situation. With targets now set for both permanent and temporary residents, the government aims to tackle complex immigration issues over the next few years.

IRCC therefore reviews these plans annually so that adjustments can be made in light of changing circumstances, ensuring that Canada remains a welcoming place for those looking to build their future in Canada.