Key takeaways
- Economic PR admissions: 244,700 a year (64.4% of 380,000)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 95,000 a year; Federal High Skilled: 100,000 in 2027
- Temporary workers: 220,000 a year; international students: 150,000 a year
- An IRCC backgrounder describes in-Canada cohorts for up to 200,000 people
- Quebec economic targets are still to be determined
Permanent resident targets by category
IRCC’s supplementary information sets overall PR admissions at 380,000 (range 352,500–422,000) in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
| Category | Target a year | Range | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | 244,700 | 230,000–270,000 | 64.4% |
| Family | 81,000 | 76,000–89,000 | 21.3% |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | 49,300 | 42,000–55,000 | 13% |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) and Other | 5,000 | 4,500–8,000 | 1.3% |
The IRCC Levels page rounds the economic share to about 64%. The supplementary page gives 64.4%.
Economic streams
The tables list these targets for each economic stream. Quebec Skilled Workers and Business targets are to be determined.
| Stream | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal High Skilled | 100,000 | See IRCC table | |
| Federal Business | 1,500 | 2,725 | 1,000 |
| Federal Economic Pilots | 7,900 | 6,175 | 7,400 |
| Rural Community Immigration Program | 5,500 | 6,000 | 6,500 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 95,000 | 95,000 | 95,000 |
Family and refugee streams
- Family: Spouses, Partners and Children 66,000; Parents and Grandparents 15,000, each year.
- Refugees and Protected Persons: Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad 20,000; Government Assisted Refugees 11,750; Privately Sponsored Refugees 17,550.
Temporary resident targets
IRCC sets new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 (range 355,000–385,000) in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
| Group | Target a year |
|---|---|
| Temporary workers (total) | 220,000 |
| International Mobility Program (IMP) | 170,000 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) | 50,000 |
| International students (new arrivals) | 150,000 |
French-speaking admissions outside Quebec
The target share of French-speaking PR admissions outside Quebec is 9.5% (31,825) in 2027, 10.5% (35,175) in 2028 and 12% (40,200) in 2029.
People already in Canada
An IRCC backgrounder describes a time-limited measure for up to 200,000 people already in Canada. It has two cohorts of up to 100,000 each.
- Workers cohort: includes additional PNP allocation space and selected federal inventories, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program and closed business and pilot pathways.
- Humanitarian cohort: includes remaining Hong Kong PR pathways, the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, eligible H&C applications, and in-Canada spouses, partners and dependent children. IRCC’s goal is to bring spouse and partner wait times closer to 12 months outside Quebec.
The supplementary page also says IRCC will continue Budget 2025 one-time initiatives to move up to 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and their in-Canada dependants, and 33,000 work permit holders, to PR in 2026 and 2027.
Limits of these numbers
The 2028 and 2029 figures are notional. IRCC will confirm or adjust them by November 1 next year. Quebec sets its own economic targets, and they are to be determined until Quebec tables its plan. Our earlier post covers the Budget 2026 headline targets.
What this means for you
- You plan to apply through a PNP: the target is 95,000 a year, the same in all three years.
- You plan to study in Canada: the target is 150,000 new international students a year.
- You plan to work in Canada temporarily: the target is 220,000 workers a year, split between the IMP and the TFWP.
- You are in Canada already: the in-Canada cohorts are described, but the backgrounder does not give application steps.
These are government targets, not guarantees of invitations or approvals.
What to do next
- Read the IRCC supplementary tables for your stream.
- Review our Express Entry guide and Provincial Nominee Program guide.
- Check the latest PNP draws and Express Entry draws.
- Use IRCC’s official tools for your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the PNP target for 2027–2029?
95,000 admissions in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
How many economic PR admissions are planned?
244,700 a year (range 230,000–270,000), or 64.4% of 380,000.
How many students and workers will IRCC admit?
The targets are 150,000 new international students and 220,000 temporary workers a year.
Are the 2028 and 2029 numbers final?
No. IRCC says they are notional and will be confirmed or adjusted by November 1 next year.
Sources
- Supplementary Information for the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan (IRCC)
- Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system (IRCC backgrounder)
- Immigration Levels Plan (IRCC)
Facts as provided in our research brief dated November 6, 2026.
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
