Immigration from India to Canada.
98,835 citizens of India became permanent residents in 2025, making it the number 1 source country. The highest year since 2015 was 2023 (139,780). From January to July 2026: 53,285.
Data through July 2026Retrieved October 8, 2026Updated monthly, mid-month
Permanent residents per year
Citizens of India.
| Period | Permanent residents |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 39,335 |
| 2016 | 39,705 |
| 2017 | 51,585 |
| 2018 | 69,985 |
| 2019 | 85,595 |
| 2020 | 42,880 |
| 2021 | 127,945 |
| 2022 | 118,250 |
| 2023 | 139,780 |
| 2024 | 127,380 |
| 2025 | 98,835 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 53,285 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data). 2026 covers January to July only.
By immigration category
Per year.
| Category | Economic | Family | Refugees and protected persons | Humanitarian and other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 29,665 | 9,395 | 120 | 70 |
| 2016 | 27,500 | 11,935 | 105 | 80 |
| 2017 | 38,255 | 12,855 | 320 | 80 |
| 2018 | 55,070 | 14,375 | 300 | 170 |
| 2019 | 67,490 | 17,635 | 215 | 215 |
| 2020 | 35,235 | 7,210 | 195 | 165 |
| 2021 | 112,730 | 14,230 | 575 | 375 |
| 2022 | 92,945 | 24,260 | 695 | 295 |
| 2023 | 103,800 | 34,605 | 770 | 530 |
| 2024 | 94,065 | 31,420 | 1,550 | 305 |
| 2025 | 68,040 | 29,160 | 1,485 | 80 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data).
Top programs, 2023 to 2025 combined
| Program | Value |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 97,385 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 70,325 |
| Spouses and partners | 49,180 |
| Parents and grandparents | 25,670 |
| Federal Skilled Worker | 10,055 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 7,360 |
| Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot | 5,050 |
| Protected persons in Canada | 4,585 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data).
Study and work permits
New permit holders per year.
| Period | Study permits | IMP work permits | TFWP work permits | Express Entry invitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 32,500 | 22,210 | 2,040 | 5,265 |
| 2016 | 53,505 | 35,135 | 3,390 | 8,175 |
| 2017 | 84,325 | 39,455 | 5,230 | 28,885 |
| 2018 | 109,375 | 59,405 | 7,550 | 33,170 |
| 2019 | 140,340 | 92,970 | 12,240 | 33,840 |
| 2020 | 84,935 | 94,800 | 10,495 | 38,175 |
| 2021 | 175,115 | 132,220 | 10,345 | 61,080 |
| 2022 | 232,750 | 147,250 | 19,285 | 16,830 |
| 2023 | 283,665 | 256,090 | 28,855 | 40,760 |
| 2024 | 193,040 | 211,480 | 40,315 | 42,135 |
| 2025 | 98,995 | 185,615 | 33,115 | 21,925 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 39,425 | 210,075 | 14,820 | 24,795 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: Study Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates; IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates; IRCC, Express Entry – Invited Candidates – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Asylum claims
Claims by citizens of India (only years when India was in IRCC’s top 25 list for a province).
| Category | Asylum claims |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 330 |
| 2016 | 525 |
| 2017 | 1,450 |
| 2018 | 4,505 |
| 2019 | 7,305 |
| 2020 | 3,000 |
| 2021 | 1,470 |
| 2022 | 4,060 |
| 2023 | 11,230 |
| 2024 | 32,225 |
| 2025 | 17,150 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 4,725 |
Source: IRCC, Asylum Claimants – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Who stays, who settled.
- In a Statistics Canada study of immigrants admitted from 1982 to 2017, 13.2% of those born in India had left Canada within 20 years of arriving (all immigrants: 17.5%). See retention by country.
- Where people of India origin live in Canada today: Census Atlas community page.
- Moving from India: our India to Canada guide.
- Compare India with another country: compare tool.