Canada's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan: What to Expect in November
Canada's next Immigration Levels Plan — covering 2027 to 2029 — is expected in early November 2026. It will set the country's first official permanent-resident target for 2029 and confirm or revise the provisional targets already published for 2027 and 2028. Important: as of October 15, 2026, the plan has not been released. An IRCC webpage update on October 13 caused brief confusion online, but the new targets are not out yet. This article explains what the plan is, when to expect it, and what to watch for.
What the Levels Plan is
Under section 94(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the immigration minister must table an annual report to Parliament — including the immigration levels plan — on or before November 1 each year. If a House of Parliament is not sitting on that date, the report must be tabled within the next 30 days on which that House is sitting.
The plan sets targets and ranges for permanent resident admissions by category (economic, family, humanitarian) and, since 2024, also includes targets for new temporary resident arrivals (workers and students). It is the single document that determines how many people Canada intends to admit — and through which programs — for the next three years.
When to expect it
Early November 2026. November 1, 2026 falls on a Sunday, when Parliament does not sit, so the legislation allows tabling when the House next sits — most likely in the first days of November. Last year's 2026–2028 plan was released on November 5, 2025, which makes the first week of November the reasonable window to watch. IRCC has not announced a specific release date.
The current targets it will replace or confirm
The existing 2026–2028 plan, tabled after Ottawa began cutting immigration levels in late 2024, set:
- 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026 (flat — held steady rather than increased)
- Up to 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals in 2026, falling to 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028
- A stated goal of reducing the temporary-resident share of Canada's population to below 5% by the end of 2027
IRCC has described the published 2027 and 2028 figures as notional targets — the new plan can confirm, change, or redistribute them. The 2029 target will be entirely new.
The context: consultations and a shifting tone
IRCC ran a public consultation on the 2027–2029 plan from May 12 to June 30, 2026, saying the feedback would inform the fall announcement. The plan arrives at a turning point: after two years of cuts and restraint, the Prime Minister has publicly raised the prospect of returning to controlled population growth. Population growth is at historic lows and temporary resident numbers are declining.
That does not guarantee higher targets — but it changes the analytical picture. One plausible path described by analysts: a modest 2027 increase from the 380,000 baseline, framed as controlled and sustainable growth.
What to watch when it lands
The headline permanent-resident number will dominate coverage, but for applicants the details matter more:
- Federal High Skilled allocation — the pool Express Entry draws from. Any increase here directly affects invitation volumes and CRS cutoffs.
- PNP shares by province — whether individual provinces gain or lose allocation changes provincial nomination strategy.
- Category signals — which occupation and language categories the plan prioritizes hints at future Express Entry category-based rounds.
- Student targets — whether the 150,000 student figure is revised, and whether post-graduation work permit policy shifts alongside it.
- Francophone trajectory — the plan has been building toward 12% French-language immigration outside Quebec by 2029, creating tailwinds for French-speaking candidates across Express Entry, PNP, and dedicated pathways.
- Temporary resident targets — of direct interest to international students and temporary workers planning to come or stay.
Frequently asked questions
Has the 2027–2029 plan been released?
No. As of October 15, 2026, it has not been announced. An IRCC webpage update on October 13, 2026 led some to believe new targets were out — they were not.
Why does November 1 matter if it's a Sunday?
IRPA requires tabling on or before November 1, but if Parliament isn't sitting, the deadline extends to the next sitting days. November 1, 2026 is a Sunday, so the plan is expected when the House of Commons next sits — likely the first days of November.
Will targets go up or down?
Unknown until release. The 2026 plan held PR targets flat at 380,000 after earlier cuts; the Prime Minister has since floated a return to controlled growth. Analysts see a modest increase as plausible but not certain.
I'm in the Express Entry pool now. Should I wait for the plan?
No. The plan sets future targets; it doesn't change your current CRS score or eligibility. Keep your profile current and keep improving it — the plan will shape 2027 invitation volumes, but your best move today is the same as yesterday.
Do the temporary resident targets affect people already in Canada?
The targets cover new arrivals (workers and students), not a requirement that current temporary residents leave. But a tighter system affects extensions, renewals, and transitions to permanent residence.
Where will the plan be published?
On canada.ca, alongside the minister's annual report to Parliament. Watch IRCC's newsroom in the first week of November 2026.
Sources
- Immigration News Canada, New Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2027 coming by November 2026: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/new-canada-immigration-levels-plan-coming/
- CIKH, Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2027–2029 coming soon: current targets, Express Entry, PNP & what to expect: https://cikh.ca/canada-immigration-levels-plan-2027-2029/
- Moving2Canada, News for Newcomers — October 14, 2026 (on the October 13 webpage confusion): https://news.moving2canada.com/p/news-for-newcomers-october-14-2026
- Global Fresh News, Canada to set new immigration targets for 2027–2029: https://globalfreshnews.com/post/canada-to-set-new-targets-for-immigrants-temporary-residents
This article is general information about Canadian immigration, not legal advice. The 2027–2029 Levels Plan had not been released as of October 15, 2026 — check canada.ca and IRCC's newsroom for the official announcement, and consult a licensed Canadian immigration professional about your situation.