Canada will keep its immigration targets flat through 2029, according to the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan released with the federal budget on November 5.
The plan sets permanent resident admissions at 380,000 a year in 2027, 2028, and 2029 and new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 a year, made up of 220,000 workers and 150,000 international students. The 2027 and 2028 targets are unchanged from last year’s plan, and the same levels now extend to 2029.
It will also give up to 200,000 temporary residents already in the country the chance to become permanent residents. Half of the 200,000 people offered the new pathway will be considered through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program, and these transitions sit outside the main 380,000 target. The budget also says the government plans to reform the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The plan keeps immigration steady rather than delivering the “controlled increase” in population that Prime Minister Mark Carney had suggested. Canada’s annual immigration report, also tabled on November 5, shows the country admitted about 393,000 new permanent residents in 2025, close to that year’s target of 395,000.
IAM Member Impact: With temporary worker arrivals held at 220,000 a year, inbound corporate assignments to Canada are likely to remain steady rather than grow. The larger opportunity may be in the domestic moving market, as up to 200,000 newcomers gaining permanent status by the end of 2027 could lead to more home purchases and household moves.
Sources: Global News; CTV News