Canada has officially released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2024–2026, and the country will continue moving forward with ambitious immigration goals to support economic growth, workforce needs, and long-term population development.

By 2024, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants, and from 2025 onward, the target is 500,000 immigrants per year. These targets are consistent with the previous plan (2023–2025), but new details have been added especially regarding 2026 and category-wise allocations.

This blog breaks down the plan in simple, organized sections so you can clearly understand what’s changing and how it affects future immigrants.

Immigration Levels Targets: 2024 to 2026

Overall Admission Targets

Canada will maintain stable targets from 2025 onward to manage population growth along with housing, healthcare, and infrastructure constraints.

Breakdown of Immigration by Class

1. Economic Class

• 2024: 281,135 (58%)

• 2026: 301,250 (60%)

This includes Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and other economic programs.

2. Family Class

• 2024: 114,000 (24%)

• 2026: 118,000 (24%)

Programs include:

• Spouse, Partner, and Children Sponsorship

• Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

3. Humanitarian & Refugee Class

• 2024: 89,865 (19%)

• 2026: 80,832 (16%)

This includes refugees, protected persons, and humanitarian admissions.

Express Entry and PNP Targets Increased

Express Entry Targets

• 2024: 110,700 new permanent residents

• 2025 & 2026: 117,500 each year

PNP Targets

• 2024: 110,000 newcomers

• 2025 & 2026: 120,000 each year

These two pathways alone make up a major portion of Canada’s economic-class immigration strategy.

Family Sponsorship Programs

Spouse, Partner, & Children Sponsorship

• 2024: 82,000 newcomers

• 2025 & 2026: 84,000 annually

Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)

• 2024: 32,000

• 2025 & 2026: 34,000 annually

Why Canada Is Keeping Immigration Levels High

The government notes the plan aims to:

• Support economic growth

• Balance pressures on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure

• Maintain a sustainable population and workforce

• Ensure long-term stability in the labour market

Canada’s New Immigration Strategy (2024 Announcement)

A day before the release of the Immigration Levels Plan, Canada unveiled a new strategy titled:

“An Immigration System for Canada’s Future”

Its goals include:

1. Making Canada More Welcoming

Better services, faster processing, and improved newcomer experience.

2. Matching Skills With Labour Market Needs

Programs aligned with industries that need workers the most.

3. Long-Term Growth Planning

Better coordination across federal, provincial, and local governments on housing, infrastructure, and community services.

History of Canada’s Immigration Targets: How We Got Here

• 1980s: Canada accepted fewer than 90,000 immigrants annually.

• 1990s: Targets increased to 250,000 due to predicted labour shortages.

• 2000s: Immigration targets focused heavily on economic class.

• 2015 onward: Liberal government increased targets from 300,000 → 340,000.

• 2021: Canada set a record with 405,000 immigrants, despite COVID restrictions.

• 2022: Another record 437,000 newcomers.

This long-term upward trend shows that Canada relies heavily on immigration for economic and population growth.

Why High Immigration Is Still Needed

Despite concerns about housing shortages and affordability, Canada continues to set high targets because:

Key Reasons

• Low birth rate

• Millions of workers retiring soon

• Skills shortages in healthcare, trades, and technology

• Labour market demand across provinces

• Population growth depends almost entirely on immigrants

Labour Force Gap

• In July 2023: 701,300 job vacancies

• Although lower than the previous year, still high enough to require skilled immigration

To address this, IRCC is overhauling programs like Express Entry with category-based selection draws focusing on:

• Healthcare

• STEM

• Trades

• Transport

• Agriculture

• French-language candidates

Quebec’s Separate Immigration Plan

Quebec, due to its unique French-speaking identity, sets its own targets.

Quebec’s Immigration Goals

• 2024: 50,000 immigrants

• 2025: 50,000 immigrants

The focus remains on preserving the French language and Quebec’s cultural identity.

Summary of Key Points

• 2024 target: 485,000 immigrants

• 2025 onward: 500,000 immigrants yearly

• Economic class rises to 60% by 2026

• Humanitarian admissions drop to 16%

• Express Entry aims for 117,500 immigrants by 2025–26

• PNP targets rise to 120,000 by 2026

• Immigration supports economic growth and workforce needs

• 98% of Canada’s population growth is from immigration

• New immigration strategy focuses on long-term planning and better alignment with labour needs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Canada’s immigration targets for 2024–2026?

485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 each year in 2025 and 2026.

2. What is the breakdown of immigration by class?

• Economic: 58% → 60%

• Family: 24%

• Humanitarian: 19% → 16%

3. What are the new Express Entry and PNP targets?

• Express Entry: Up to 117,500 by 2026

• PNPs: Up to 120,000 by 2026

4. Why is Canada maintaining high immigration levels?

To support labour market needs, economic growth, and population sustainability.

5. What is the goal of the new immigration strategy?

To create a more welcoming, efficient, and job-market-aligned system.

6. How has Canada’s immigration policy evolved?

Targets increased from under 90,000 in the 1980s to over 400,000 by 2021.

7. Why does Canada depend on immigration?

Due to low birth rates and an aging workforce immigrants fuel population and economic growth.

8. How is Quebec’s immigration plan different?

Quebec sets separate targets to preserve French culture.

9. What is Canada doing to meet labour market needs?

Introducing category-based Express Entry draws focusing on in-demand occupations.

10. How can I stay updated?

Check IRCC’s official announcements regularly, especially around November 1 each year.

Check out our Web Story at Canada Releases Plan for Immigration Levels 2024–2026