In this week’s newsletter, we’re focusing on the recent release of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines Canada’s immigration strategy for the next three years. It emphasizes balanced, sustainable immigration growth to support economic prosperity and regional needs while also making key adjustments to family reunification, economic immigration, and humanitarian admissions.

This Week’s Focus: Permanent Residency Programs Plan

Permanent resident targets

Permanent resident programs include economic streams, family reunification, refugees and protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate admissions.

This year’s levels plan reduces permanent resident targets starting in 2025 and forecasts decreases for the following two years, resulting in a pause in population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth and economic prosperity for the long term.

The plan

• represents an overall decrease of 105,000 admissions in 2025, as compared to projected 2025 levels
• prioritizes in-Canada applicants and pathways for those already here
  • More than 40% of anticipated permanent resident admissions in 2025 will be from those who are already in Canada as temporary residents.
  • Research has demonstrated that newcomers with in-Canada experience have positive long-term success. These skilled, educated newcomers can continue to support the workforce and economy, without placing additional demands on our social services.
  • Adjustments will be made to our economic immigration streams to prioritize transitions of workers already here to permanent residents and to be responsive to labour market needs—our in-Canada focus. We will put emphasis on our federal economic priorities in programs, including the Canadian Experience Class and regional immigration programs, to attract workers we need, such as in health care and trades occupations.
• focuses on economic immigration, with approximately 62% of total permanent resident admissions that will be dedicated to the economic class, in key sectors such as health and trades, by 2027
• continues to reunite families and loved ones, including spouses, children, parents and grandparents. In 2025, nearly 24% of overall permanent resident admissions will be allocated to family class immigration
• upholds Canada’s long-standing commitment to resettle the world’s most vulnerable, including human rights defenders, LGBTQI+ refugees, religious and ethnic minorities, and women and children in precarious situations
• strengthens Francophone communities outside Quebec and supports their economic prosperity. Of the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent
  • 8.5% in 2025
  • 9.5% in 2026
  • 10% in 2027

These targets are augmented from last year’s plan and allow for a continued increase in volume year-over-year of Francophone admissions outside Quebec, despite decreased permanent resident levels.

If you have any questions about these changes or want to know how they may affect your eligibility for permanent residency, feel free to contact us for personalized assistance! We’re here to help you navigate these new developments.

Source: 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan – Canada.ca