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Canada Fixes 2026–2028 Immigration Levels, Cuts Temporary Intake and Expands Provincial Nominations

Ottawa prioritizes permanent status for people already in Canada to ease pressure on housing, healthcare, schools.

Overview

  • Permanent resident admissions are set at 380,000 per year through 2028, while temporary resident targets fall to 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027–2028.
  • Study permits drop to 155,000 in 2026 and 150,000 in 2027–2028, with total work permits targeted at 230,000 in 2026 and 220,000 thereafter.
  • The budget commits C$1.7 billion to recruit more than 1,000 researchers and announces an accelerated pathway for H‑1B holders, framed as an opportunity after the U.S. raised H‑1B fees to US$100,000.
  • One‑time measures will transition roughly 115,000 protected persons and up to 33,000 work‑permit holders to permanent residence by 2027.
  • Provincial Nominee Program admissions jump to 91,500 in 2026 and about 92,500 thereafter, as Quebec targets 45,000 permanent residents annually and warns federal temporary cuts risk regional labour gaps.