Canada’s Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, has released the official 2025–26 Departmental Plan for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), outlining a new direction for the country’s immigration policy from this year to 2027.
The three-year roadmap, announced in June 2025, outlines detailed targets and reforms focused on achieving sustainable immigration levels, upgrading digital services, and enhancing support for newcomers.
According to Canada’s immigration body, the plan introduces several policy changes to manage both permanent and temporary immigration more efficiently, while addressing concerns related to housing, infrastructure capacity, and public support.
Managing Permanent Immigration: Controlled Admissions and Economic Focus
Under the new plan, Canada will gradually reduce its permanent resident admissions over a three-year period. The targets are:
- 395,000 in 2025
- 380,000 in 2026
- 365,000 in 2027
Of these, 62% will be economic immigrants by 2027, while 22% will come through family reunification, 15% will be refugees and protected persons, and approximately 1.2% will come through other categories.
Priority programs will include category-based Express Entry draws targeting candidates with experience in healthcare, trades, French language, and education. The Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program will continue to be key pathways for individuals already living and working in Canada temporarily.
The government also plans to improve processing and support for family reunification cases and expand programs for entrepreneurs under the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Programs.
Regulating Temporary Residents: Arrival Caps and Program Changes
A major policy change involves setting limits on the number of temporary residents coming to Canada, aiming to match immigration levels with the availability of housing and public services. Annual arrival limits for temporary residents are:
- 673,650 in 2025
- 516,600 in 2026
- 543,600 in 2027
Within these, specific annual caps are set for:
- 305,900 international students
- 82,000 Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) workers
- International Mobility Program (IMP) workers: 285,750 (2025), 128,700 (2026), 155,700 (2027)
The cost-of-living requirement for international students is now indexed annually, with a minimum of $20,635 for 2024, in addition to tuition and other related expenses.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program has been restructured to better align with labour market needs. Spousal work permits are also under review to ensure alignment with workforce priorities in healthcare and construction.
Improving Refugee Resettlement and Crisis Response
Details indicate that Canada will maintain its humanitarian commitments, including refugee admissions through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program. By 2028, the program will admit:
12,000 refugees each from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific
4,000 refugees from the Americas
It is stated that the government will collaborate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and non-governmental organisations to support vulnerable populations. It also plans to enhance processing in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program and expand crisis response capabilities for emergencies, such as those in Sudan and Gaza.
Healthcare access for refugees will continue through the Interim Federal Health Program.
Enhancing Integration Through Targeted Services and Support
Settlement funding will be provided through new three-year agreements with service providers across Canada. The plan includes specific support for:
- Women, youth, and racialised communities
- Persons with disabilities
- Francophone newcomers in minority regions
The government will also launch the Francophone Student Pilot in 2025 and expand the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative. Additional efforts will include school-based programs for children and the establishment of a Council of Newcomers to advise on future immigration policy.
Modernising Immigration Services Through Digital Infrastructure
IRCC will continue to develop its Digital Platform Modernisation initiative. This includes a
New client portal with real-time application tracking,
A Case Management Platform to replace legacy systems, and
The use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to support triage and fraud detection (not for making decisions)
An AI tool called GeoMatch, developed in collaboration with Stanford University, will be piloted to help Express Entry applicants identify Canadian communities where they are likely to succeed economically.
Spending and Staffing Adjustments Reflect Lower Volumes
IRCC’s planned spending will decrease in line with reduced immigration targets:
- $5.17 billion in 2025–26
- $4.07 billion in 2026–27
- $3.60 billion in 2027–28
The largest portion of the budget—$4.0 billion in 2025–26—will be allocated to permanent immigration and refugee programs. Staffing levels are expected to decline from 12,689 full-time equivalents in 2025–26 to 11,257 in 2027–28.
Addressing Systemic Risks and Ensuring Policy Coherence
Going further, the IRCC has identified several operational risks, including growing application backlogs, public concern over housing pressures, limited service provider capacity, and cybersecurity threats. The department plans to manage these challenges through targeted reforms, improved analytics, and collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.
