Overview
- Temporary resident admissions are targeted at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028, including a reduction in international study permits to 155,000 in 2026 and 150,000 in 2027–28.
- Permanent resident admissions are stabilized at 380,000 annually from 2026 to 2028, with a renewed goal to lower temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2027.
- The 2026 target includes 230,000 temporary workers, down sharply from nearly 368,000 planned for 2025, according to the federal plan.
- Economists forecast that slower temporary inflows could leave population growth flat over the next two years and weigh on economic growth, with mixed implications for rental markets and construction.
- IRCC says master’s and doctoral students will be exempt from the study‑permit cap starting January 1, 2026, with expedited processing for doctoral candidates and their families.