IRCC Announces Technical Briefing on Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028

alpinereverie
Nov 5
2 min read

Updated: Nov 10

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) announcement on November 5th, provided background information on Canada’s immigration levels and strategy for the coming years.

This announcement was followed by the release of the Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028, which outlines how Canada will manage its permanent resident admissions over the next three years.

What’s in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan?

The new plan sets steady and sustainable immigration targets, maintaining an annual goal of 380,000 permanent residents from 2026 to 2028.

IRCC continues to focus on three core priorities:

Economic Immigration
Canada aims to attract skilled workers who meet labor market needs—especially those already contributing to the economy as temporary foreign workers or international graduates. Programs like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain key pathways.
Family Reunification
The plan reinforces Canada’s commitment to bringing families together. Sponsorship programs for spouses, partners, children, and parents will continue to play a strong role.
Humanitarian and Refugee Commitments
Canada will maintain its global humanitarian leadership while balancing housing, infrastructure, and service capacity.

Why the Focus on “Sustainability”?

In recent months, public attention has turned toward the balance between immigration growth and available housing, infrastructure, and social services.

IRCC’s new approach signals that while immigration remains vital to Canada’s economy, growth must align with national capacity. Expect more targeted selection of immigrants whose skills directly support key industries such as health care, construction, and technology.

Today’s technical briefing is “for background only,” meaning journalists can use the information but not directly quote IRCC officials. However, these briefings usually provide important insights into policy direction and upcoming regulatory adjustments.

In the coming days, we expect more details about:

Express Entry category-based draws for 2026
Potential updates to post-graduation work permit (PGWP) policies
Adjustments in the Provincial Nominee Program quotas
Clarifications on housing-linked immigration planning.

What This Means for You

We understand how quickly immigration policies can evolve. Here’s what today’s announcement means for different applicant groups:

Express Entry Candidates: Stay ready. IRCC may adjust draw priorities to align with labor shortages and sustainability goals.
International Students & Temporary Workers: Watch for updates to transition pathways to permanent residence.
Family Sponsors: Expect continued support for family reunification, but possibly with refined processing standards.
Refugee & Humanitarian Applicants: Canada remains committed to protection and resettlement under a stable framework.

How L3J Can Help

Policy changes can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.

Our team at L3J Immigration Consulting stays on top of every IRCC announcement and helps clients adapt their immigration strategies accordingly. Whether you’re applying through Express Entry, a PNP, or family sponsorship, we’ll ensure your application aligns with the latest requirements.

Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan - Canada.ca