Key takeaways
- Budget 2026 targets 380,000 PR admissions in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029
- It also targets 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals in each of those years
- Up to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada could become PRs by the end of 2027
- That includes 100,000 workers eligible for Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- More detail will come in the 2026 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration
The 2027–2029 targets
Chapter 3 of Budget 2026 says the government proposes to implement the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan. The annual targets are the same in each year.
| Year | PR admissions | New temporary resident arrivals |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 380,000 | 370,000 |
| 2028 | 380,000 | 370,000 |
| 2029 | 380,000 | 370,000 |
How the targets compare with past years
Chart 3.1 in the budget compares the annual targets with actual numbers from earlier years.
| Year | Temporary arrivals | PR admissions |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 (actual) | 971,815 | 471,820 |
| 2024 (actual) | 686,010 | 483,655 |
| 2027–2029 (target, each year) | 370,000 | 380,000 |
The in-Canada transition measure
The budget says up to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada would have the opportunity to become permanent residents by the end of 2027. Through collaboration with provinces and territories, the measure would transition 100,000 workers who are eligible for Express Entry or the PNP.
The budget describes this as a proposal. It does not set out who qualifies or how to apply.
Funding in the budget
- $56.9 million over four years, starting in 2027–28, with $205.4 million in future years, to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to implement the Plan.
- $302.3 million over four years, starting in 2027–28, with $90.6 million in future years, to support the in-Canada temporary-to-permanent transition measure.
- $151.5 million over five years, starting in 2026–27, to Employment and Social Development Canada to reform the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
What is not confirmed yet
The government says more details on the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan will come when the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tables the 2026 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration. The budget text does not give a split by program, such as Express Entry or the PNP. It also does not give dates for the transition measure.
What this means for you
- You plan to apply through Express Entry or a PNP: the PR target stays at 380,000 a year. Watch for IRCC details on the 100,000-worker transition measure.
- You are in Canada on a temporary permit: the 200,000 transition measure is a proposal. No application process exists yet.
- You plan to arrive as a temporary resident: the target of 370,000 new arrivals a year is lower than the 2023 and 2024 actuals shown in Chart 3.1.
What to do next
- Read Chapter 3 of the budget on the Department of Finance website.
- Check IRCC’s website for the 2026 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.
- Review our Express Entry guide, our Provincial Nominee Program guide and the latest Express Entry draws.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2027–2029 PR targets?
380,000 permanent resident admissions in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
What is the temporary resident target?
370,000 new temporary resident arrivals in each of those years.
Is the 200,000 transition measure final?
No. Budget 2026 proposes it. Details are not yet published.
Where will the full Plan be published?
The budget says more detail will come in the Minister’s 2026 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.
Sources
Facts as provided in our research brief dated November 5, 2026.
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
