Immigration from Iran to Canada.
7,435 citizens of Iran became permanent residents in 2025, making it the number 13 source country. The highest year since 2015 was 2015 (11,630). From January to July 2026: 5,495.
Data through July 2026Retrieved October 8, 2026Updated monthly, mid-month
Permanent residents per year
Citizens of Iran.
| Period | Permanent residents |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 11,630 |
| 2016 | 6,465 |
| 2017 | 4,735 |
| 2018 | 5,505 |
| 2019 | 6,055 |
| 2020 | 3,815 |
| 2021 | 11,310 |
| 2022 | 11,110 |
| 2023 | 10,690 |
| 2024 | 11,145 |
| 2025 | 7,435 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 5,495 |
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 | 9,430 | 1,420 | 645 | 20 |
| 2016 | 4,190 | 1,685 | 460 | 10 |
| 2017 | 2,640 | 1,570 | 395 | 10 |
| 2018 | 3,260 | 1,520 | 595 | 15 |
| 2019 | 3,275 | 1,925 | 745 | 20 |
| 2020 | 2,310 | 885 | 540 | 15 |
| 2021 | 4,945 | 1,790 | 4,350 | 120 |
| 2022 | 5,305 | 2,325 | 3,265 | 85 |
| 2023 | 5,465 | 2,395 | 2,655 | 75 |
| 2024 | 5,850 | 2,405 | 2,770 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3,765 | 1,670 | 1,820 | 0 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data).
Top programs, 2023 to 2025 combined
| Program | Value |
|---|---|
| Protected persons in Canada | 7,095 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,770 |
| Parents and grandparents | 2,780 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 2,340 |
| Spouses and partners | 2,055 |
| Start-up Business | 1,880 |
| Federal Skilled Worker | 1,705 |
| Self-Employed | 465 |
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 | 2,410 | 1,170 | 10 | 215 |
| 2016 | 3,120 | 1,975 | 45 | 400 |
| 2017 | 4,870 | 2,110 | 40 | 1,075 |
| 2018 | 7,280 | 3,025 | 120 | 1,030 |
| 2019 | 10,090 | 4,895 | 215 | 1,230 |
| 2020 | 7,485 | 4,960 | 205 | 1,555 |
| 2021 | 12,470 | 8,395 | 285 | 1,720 |
| 2022 | 13,900 | 9,330 | 455 | 1,075 |
| 2023 | 15,215 | 51,265 | 965 | 2,235 |
| 2024 | 11,310 | 44,870 | 520 | 1,950 |
| 2025 | 9,555 | 32,595 | 495 | 1,585 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 4,520 | 4,320 | 50 | 1,555 |
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 Iran (only years when Iran was in IRCC’s top 25 list for a province).
| Category | Asylum claims |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 100 |
| 2016 | 250 |
| 2017 | 650 |
| 2018 | 2,520 |
| 2019 | 5,620 |
| 2020 | 2,495 |
| 2021 | 1,925 |
| 2022 | 4,655 |
| 2023 | 5,870 |
| 2024 | 6,725 |
| 2025 | 6,880 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 2,255 |
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, 18.0% of those born in Iran had left Canada within 20 years of arriving (all immigrants: 17.5%). See retention by country.
- Where people of Iran origin live in Canada today: Census Atlas community page.
- Compare Iran with another country: compare tool.