Great news! Canada has just announced its Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026. The good news is that the immigration levels will remain the same as the current targets. In 2024, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants, which will increase to 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.
These targets are the same as the ones announced in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025. However, today’s information updates the specific levels of immigrants to be admitted under each class and program from 2024 to 2026.
- Economic Growth Focus: The plan maintains strong immigration admissions, with over 60% of permanent resident admissions designated for the economic class by 2025.
- Humanitarian Commitment: Canada continues its humanitarian tradition by responding to humanitarian and geopolitical crises worldwide, including providing support for asylum seekers and refugees.
- Francophone Immigration Targets: The plan includes admission targets for French-speaking permanent residents of 6% in 2024, 7% in 2025, and 8% in 2026.
Economic Immigration Program Targets 2024-2026
Let’s break down the immigration targets by class. In 2024, about 281,135 immigrants (approximately 58% of the annual target) will fall under the economic class. By 2026, this number will rise to 301,250 immigrants (60% of the annual target).
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | |
| Federal High Skilled | 110,770 | 90,000 | 116,000 | 117,500 | 96,500 | 124,000 | 117,500 | 96,500 | 124,000 |
| Public Policies | - | 0 | 3,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Federal Business | 5,000 | 3,500 | 7,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Economic Pilots | |||||||||
| Caregivers; Agri-Food Pilot; Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot; Economic Mobility Pathways Project | 10,875 | 6,500 | 14,500 | 14,750 | 9,000 | 19,750 | 13,750 | 9,000 | 19,750 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,500 | 4,000 | 9,000 | 8,500 | 5,000 | 13,000 | 8,500 | 5,000 | 13,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 110,000 | 105,500 | 117,000 | 120,000 | 113,000 | 130,000 | 120,000 | 113,000 | 130,000 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||
Now, let’s talk about the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets. In 2024, the Express Entry target is set at 110,700 permanent resident admissions, which will increase to 117,500 immigrants in both 2025 and 2026. The PNP target will be 110,000 immigrants in 2024, rising to 120,000 in 2025 and 2026.
Family Sponsorship Targets 2024-2026
The family class target for 2024 is 114,000 immigrants, which accounts for 24% of all admissions. This number will also increase to 118,000 immigrants by 2026, still representing 24% of all admissions.
When it comes to spousal, partner, and children sponsorship, the target for 2024 is 82,000 admissions. This number will then increase to 84,000 immigrants in both 2025 and 2026. Additionally, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has a target of 32,000 immigrants in 2024, followed by 34,000 immigrants in both 2025 and 2026.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | |
| Spouses, Partners and Children | 82,000 | 77,000 | 88,000 | 84,000 | 79,000 | 90,000 | 84,000 | 79,000 | 90,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 32,000 | 27,000 | 36,000 | 34,000 | 29,000 | 42,000 | 34,000 | 29,000 | 42,000 |
| Total Family | 114,000 | 105,000 | 130,000 | 118,000 | 107,000 | 135,000 | 118,000 | 107,000 | 135,000 |
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H&C, Refugees and Protected Persons Targets
As for humanitarian admissions, the target for 2024 will be 89,865 immigrants, accounting for approximately 19% of all admissions. This includes refugees, protected persons, and those admitted for humanitarian, compassionate, or other reasons. By 2026, the target will be 80,832 immigrants, or 16% of admissions.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | Target | Low Range | High Range | |
| Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 27,000 | 24,000 | 38,000 | 29,000 | 26,000 | 40,000 | 29,000 | 26,000 | 40,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Government Assisted | 21,115 | 16,750 | 26,000 | 15,250 | 12,000 | 17,000 | 15,250 | 12,000 | 17,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored | 27,750 | 20,000 | 31,000 | 28,250 | 23,000 | 32,000 | 28,250 | 23,000 | 32,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office-Referred | 250 | - | 400 | 250 | - | 400 | 250 | - | 400 |
| Total Refugees and Protected Persons | 76,115 | 66,000 | 93,000 | 72,750 | 64,000 | 80,000 | 72,750 | 64,000 | 80,000 |
| Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 13,750 | 9,000 | 17,500 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 12,000 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 12,000 |
Why No Change in Immigration Targets?
The Canadian government’s decision to maintain unchanged targets is based on the aim to balance economic growth with pressures in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. The government wants to ensure responsible and sustainable population growth.
Starting in 2026, permanent resident levels will be stabilized at 500,000 to allow for successful integration while continuing to support Canada’s labour market. The government also plans to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure the sustainability of the immigration system.
It is worth noting that under the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA), the Canadian government must release its annual immigration plan by November 1 in non-election years.
New Improved Immigration System
Canada is taking steps to improve its immigration system with a new strategy called the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. After acknowledging the flaws in the current system, Immigration Minister Marc Miller outlined the pillars of a modernized approach in a strategy titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.”
This strategy has three main goals: creating a more welcoming experience for newcomers, aligning immigration with labour market needs, and developing a comprehensive growth plan. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to provide a more pleasant and user-friendly experience for its clients.
They also want to align immigration policies with Canada’s skills and labour strategy. Additionally, the IRCC aims to coordinate a plan among all levels of government to ensure there is adequate housing, healthcare, and infrastructure for the growing newcomer population.
Since 2015, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, immigration targets were raised to 300,000 and later to 340,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic, Canada broke its record for permanent resident admissions in 2021, welcoming 405,000 new immigrants.
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Need help?
The Canada immigration target 2024-2026 offers hope for many people who wish to immigrate to Canada. You can book a consultation with our Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant if you need guidance with your immigration application. You can also visit our news section to learn the latest Canadian immigration news and stay updated with IRCC’s most recent announcements. Contact our licensed experts here.
