By Navrit Kaur Hothi, Articling Student, Lewis & Associates LLP
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people make Canada their permanent home. But immigration to Canada in 2026 looks very different from just a few years ago. Permanent resident targets have stayed steady, temporary resident numbers are being cut, Express Entry now relies heavily on targeted category draws, and several well-known programs have closed or paused.
This guide brings all of it together in one place. It explains how many people Canada plans to admit, each main pathway to permanent residence, who each one suits, what it costs, which programs are currently closed, the mistakes that most often lead to refusal, and what happens after you land. Use it to find the route that fits your situation, then read our detailed guides for each topic.
2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
Who Canada Plans to Welcome in 2026
Canada plans to admit 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026. Here is how those places are divided.
Express Entry (109,000), provincial nominees (91,500), the Atlantic Immigration Program, economic pilots and Quebec programs.
Spouses, partners and children (69,000) and parents and grandparents (15,000).
Protected persons in Canada, resettled refugees and their family members.
Humanitarian and compassionate cases, public policies and other special situations.
Canada’s Immigration Plan for 2026
Each year, the federal government publishes an Immigration Levels Plan that sets how many permanent residents Canada will admit and through which programs. According to the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028, while reducing new temporary resident arrivals from 385,000 in 2026 to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.
| Category | 2026 target | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal High Skilled | 109,000 | Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 91,500 | Provincial and territorial nominations, including the OINP in Ontario |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | Employer-driven program in the four Atlantic provinces |
| Federal economic pilots | 8,175 | Caregivers, agri-food, community immigration pilots and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot |
| Spouses, partners and children | 69,000 | Family class sponsorship |
| Parents and grandparents | 15,000 | Existing PGP applications |
| Refugees and protected persons | 49,300 | Protected persons in Canada and resettled refugees |
| Humanitarian and other | 6,900 | H&C cases and public policies |
The plan also includes two one-time initiatives outside these targets: helping up to 33,000 temporary workers already in Canada transition to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, and about 115,000 protected persons in Canada over two years. The message is clear: Canada is prioritizing people who are already here and already contributing.
The Main Pathways at a Glance
Start here
Which Pathway Fits You?
Most people qualify through one of four doors. Answer these questions in order.
- 1Do you have a Canadian citizen or PR spouse, partner or parent? Family sponsorship may be your most direct route.
- 2Do you have skilled work experience, strong English or French and post-secondary education? Check Express Entry and its category-based draws.
- 3Do you have a job offer, or skills a specific province needs? Look at provincial nominee programs, such as the OINP in Ontario, and the Atlantic Immigration Program.
- 4Are you already in Canada as a worker or student? Canadian experience can open the Canadian Experience Class and in-Canada provincial streams.
- 5Do you fear persecution, or face exceptional hardship? A refugee claim or a humanitarian and compassionate application may apply.
| Pathway | Best suited to | Job offer needed? | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | Skilled workers with language test results and education | No | Open; regular general and category draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | Workers, graduates and some entrepreneurs a province needs | Depends on the stream | Open; streams open and close often |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Workers with a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer | Yes | Open |
| Spouse, partner or child sponsorship | Partners and dependent children of citizens and PRs | No | Open |
| Parents and grandparents | Parents and grandparents of citizens and PRs | No | New intake paused; super visa available |
| Refugee protection | People who fear persecution or serious harm | No | Open, with eligibility limits |
| Humanitarian and compassionate | People with strong ties to Canada or exceptional hardship | No | Open; exceptional relief |
| Start-up Visa and self-employed | Entrepreneurs and self-employed people | No | Closed or paused |
1. Express Entry: The Main Route for Skilled Workers
Express Entry is the online system IRCC uses to manage applications for three federal economic programs. You create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, language ability and work experience, and wait for an invitation to apply.
The three Express Entry programs
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: for people with at least one year of continuous skilled work experience, usually abroad. Applicants must meet a minimum language level, score at least 67 points on the program’s selection grid and usually show proof of funds.
- Canadian Experience Class: for people with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. It is often the strongest route for international graduates and temporary workers already in Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: for qualified tradespeople with a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification in their trade.
Category-based draws in 2026
IRCC increasingly invites candidates through targeted draws. Its category-based selection page lists ten categories for 2026: French-language proficiency; healthcare and social services; STEM; trades; education; transport; physicians with Canadian work experience; senior managers with Canadian work experience; researchers with Canadian work experience; and skilled military recruits. Most occupation categories require at least 12 months of full-time work experience in a listed occupation within the past three years.
Two recent changes matter for many applicants. Since November 3, 2026, a job offer adds CRS points only if it is in a high-wage occupation, and it no longer needs an LMIA. And strong French can make a dramatic difference, because French-language draws often have much lower cut-off scores than general draws.
Express Entry
From Profile to Permanent Residence
Express Entry is a competition. Each step has its own deadline.
- 1Prepare: take an approved language test and, for foreign education, get an educational credential assessment (ECA).
- 2Create a profile: IRCC checks whether you meet a program and gives you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- 3Wait in the pool: profiles are valid for up to 12 months. Improve your score while you wait.
- 4Receive an invitation: IRCC invites top-ranked candidates in general, program or category-based draws.
- 5Apply within 60 days: submit a complete PR application with police certificates, medicals, proof of funds and fees.
- 6Confirm PR: once approved, you complete landing and become a permanent resident.
Proof of funds
Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants must usually show settlement funds, unless they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. At the time of writing, IRCC’s proof of funds table requires $15,263 for a single applicant and $28,362 for a family of four, and the amounts are updated periodically. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need proof of funds.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
With a 2026 target of 91,500, provincial nominee programs are almost as large as Express Entry. Each province and territory, except Quebec, which runs its own selection system, chooses people who meet its labour market needs. Some streams are aligned with Express Entry, and a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which in practice almost guarantees an invitation. Other streams are processed outside Express Entry.
In Ontario, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) includes employer job offer streams, streams for international graduates and Express Entry-linked streams. Our guides explain the OINP route with a Canadian job offer and the pathway for self-employed physicians in Ontario. Provincial streams open, close and change criteria often, so timing and up-to-date advice matter.
In the Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Immigration Program lets designated employers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador hire foreign workers and support their permanent residence.
3. Family Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members. Spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, and dependent children make up the largest share, with a 2026 target of 69,000. Our spousal sponsorship guide explains the eligibility rules, the inland and outland options and the evidence officers expect to see. The IRCC fee to sponsor a spouse or partner is $1,260, including the right of permanent residence fee.
The Parents and Grandparents Program is a different story. In July 2026, IRCC paused new intake and stopped accepting interest-to-sponsor forms until further notice. It is still processing existing applications, with up to 15,000 approvals planned for 2026. For now, the super visa is the main way for parents and grandparents to spend long periods in Canada. It allows stays of up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over up to ten years.
4. Working or Studying in Canada First
Many permanent residents start as temporary residents. A Canadian work permit, often supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or a study permit followed by a post-graduation work permit can give you the Canadian work experience that makes the Canadian Experience Class and many provincial streams possible. U.S. citizens have an extra option: CUSMA work permits for listed professionals do not need an LMIA. Read our guide on whether Americans can move to Canada.
This route is narrower than it was. The Levels Plan cuts new student arrivals to 155,000 in 2026 and 150,000 in 2027, and new worker arrivals to 230,000 in 2026. Study permits are subject to caps and provincial attestation letters, and post-graduation work permit eligibility now depends on the program you study. If you are already in Canada, protect your status carefully. Our guide to maintained status and restoration explains what to do if a permit is about to expire, and a bridging open work permit may let you keep working while a PR application is processed.
Visitors and business travellers will need a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on their nationality. A visit cannot be turned into immigration simply by staying, and overstaying can damage future applications.
5. Business and Entrepreneur Immigration
Federal business immigration is at a low point: the 2026 target is just 500. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-up Visa applications at the end of 2025 and has said it plans to launch a new pilot for high-impact entrepreneurs. The Self-Employed Persons Program has been paused since April 2024. Background on these programs is available in our articles on the start-up business pathway and on self-employed immigration, but check current status before relying on them.
Entrepreneurs and investors still have options, mainly through provincial entrepreneur streams, intra-company transfers for owners and executives of established businesses, and work permits that can lead to permanent residence through Canadian experience.
6. Caregivers and Other Pilots
Federal economic pilots have a combined 2026 target of 8,175 places, covering caregivers, agri-food workers, community immigration pilots and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. In December 2025, IRCC announced it was pausing new intake for the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots until further notice, so caregivers should not count on a quick reopening. Pilots often have small caps and short intake windows, which makes preparation in advance essential.
7. Refugee Protection and Humanitarian Applications
People in Canada who fear persecution or serious harm in their home country can claim refugee protection. A claim is decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board, and if it is refused, there may be an appeal or other options, explained in our guide to what to do when a refugee claim is refused. Successful claimants become protected persons and can apply for permanent residence.
For people who do not fit any program, a humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application asks IRCC to grant permanent residence as an exception, based on factors such as establishment in Canada, family ties, the best interests of children and hardship. It is discretionary and evidence-heavy, but for many long-term residents it is the only route.
What Does It Cost to Immigrate to Canada?
| Application | IRCC fee |
|---|---|
| Economic PR, principal applicant (including right of PR fee) | $1,590 |
| Economic PR, spouse or partner (including right of PR fee) | $1,590 |
| Economic PR, each dependent child | $270 |
| Sponsor a spouse or partner (including right of PR fee) | $1,260 |
| Biometrics, individual / family maximum | $85 / $170 |
| Work permit / open work permit holder fee | $155 / $100 |
| Study permit | $150 |
| Visitor visa | $100 |
Government fees are only part of the cost. Budget for language tests, educational credential assessments, medical exams, police certificates, translations, proof of funds and, if you use one, professional fees. Paying for advice early often costs less than fixing a refusal later.
Mistakes That Lead to Refusal
Avoid these
Common Mistakes That Lead to Refusal
Most refusals are avoidable. These are the problems lawyers see again and again.
- Leaving out a past refusal, a criminal charge, a previous marriage or a family member
- Claiming work experience that does not match the duties of the occupation code
- Letting your status, a test result or a medical exam expire mid-process
- Weak relationship evidence in a spousal sponsorship
- Ignoring a procedural fairness letter or answering it without evidence
- Using an unlicensed “agent” who promises guaranteed results
- Applying under a program that has closed or paused without checking current rules
Some problems are more serious than a simple refusal. Leaving out material facts can lead to a finding of misrepresentation and a five-year ban. A past conviction, even a minor one such as impaired driving, can make you inadmissible, as our guide to criminal inadmissibility explains. If an officer sends you a procedural fairness letter, your response may decide the whole case. And if you are refused, our guide to reconsideration, reapplying and judicial review sets out your options.
After You Arrive: Keeping PR and Becoming a Citizen
Permanent residents can live, work and study anywhere in Canada and access most social benefits. To keep that status, you must meet the residency obligation of 730 days in every five-year period, explained in our guide to PR card renewal and the residency obligation. After 1,095 days of physical presence in the five years before applying, most permanent residents can apply for citizenship. Some people born abroad to Canadian parents may already be citizens: see our guide to citizenship by descent after Bill C-3.
How Lewis & Associates Can Help
Lewis & Associates LLP has helped individuals, families and employers with Canadian immigration for more than 30 years. We assess eligibility, prepare Express Entry, provincial nominee, sponsorship and humanitarian applications, respond to procedural fairness letters and challenge refusals through our immigration litigation practice. Working with an experienced Canada immigration lawyer can help you choose the right pathway from the start and avoid costly mistakes.
Every immigration journey is different. If you are planning a move to Canada, are already here on a temporary permit, or have received a refusal, you can book a consultation, meet our lawyers, or contact our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?
There is no single easiest route. It depends on your situation. If you have a Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse, family sponsorship is often the most direct path. For skilled workers, Express Entry is usually the fastest economic route, especially with Canadian work experience or strong French.
How many immigrants will Canada accept in 2026?
Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026, including 239,800 in economic programs, 84,000 through family sponsorship and 49,300 refugees and protected persons.
Can I immigrate to Canada without a job offer?
Yes. Express Entry does not require a job offer. Since November 3, 2026, a job offer in a high-wage occupation can add 50 to 100 CRS points. Some provincial streams do require a job offer, while others select candidates based on skills and occupation.
How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada?
For an economic permanent residence application, the IRCC fee for a principal applicant is $1,590 including the right of permanent residence fee, with the same amount for a spouse and $270 for each dependent child. You will also pay for biometrics ($85, or $170 for a family), language tests, credential assessments, medicals and police certificates, and you may need proof of funds.
What is a good CRS score for Express Entry?
There is no fixed passing score. Cut-offs change with every draw and are often lower in category-based draws, such as French-language or healthcare draws, than in general draws. The best strategy is to maximize the points you can genuinely claim and check which categories you qualify for.
Can I sponsor my parents to Canada in 2026?
Not through a new Parents and Grandparents Program application at the moment. IRCC paused new intake in July 2026 and is processing existing applications. The super visa remains available and allows parents and grandparents to stay up to five years at a time.
Is the Start-up Visa still open?
No. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-up Visa applications at the end of 2025 and has said it plans a new entrepreneur pilot. The Self-Employed Persons Program is also paused. Entrepreneurs should look at provincial business streams or other options.
Can I apply for permanent residence from inside Canada?
Yes. Many people apply from inside Canada through the Canadian Experience Class, in-Canada provincial streams, spousal sponsorship in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, or humanitarian and compassionate applications. Keep your temporary status valid while you wait.
How long does it take to immigrate to Canada?
Processing times vary by program and change regularly. Express Entry applications are often processed within about six months after a complete application, while family and humanitarian cases usually take longer. Check IRCC’s current processing times before you plan a move.
Do I need a lawyer to immigrate to Canada?
You are not required to use a representative. But a lawyer can help you choose the right program, avoid misrepresentation, respond to procedural fairness letters and challenge refusals. If you do pay a representative, they must be a lawyer, a Quebec notary or a licensed immigration consultant.
What happens after I become a permanent resident?
You can live, work and study anywhere in Canada. You must meet the residency obligation of 730 days in every five years, and after 1,095 days of physical presence in five years you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
What should I do if my application is refused?
Read the reasons carefully and act quickly. Depending on the decision, you may be able to request reconsideration, reapply with stronger evidence, appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division or seek judicial review at the Federal Court, which has strict deadlines.
This article provides general information about Canadian immigration law as of November 2026 and is not legal advice. Programs, targets, fees and eligibility rules change frequently, and every case depends on its own facts. Speak with a lawyer before applying.
