A Complete Guide to Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
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Wondering if there are enough opportunities in Canada for skilled workers, or what’s the right time to apply? You are not alone. Almost everyone from Kuwait who wants to move to Canada has these questions. Constant changes in immigration rules and uncertainty can make planning difficult for students, families, and skilled workers.
Canada’s new 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan offers clarity. It sets clear goals for how many newcomers the country will welcome and outlines a smoother transition for those already living or working there temporarily. It focuses on creating long-term pathways for skilled professionals, international learners, and families seeking a secure future.
This update ensures a more predictable and balanced system for immigrants from Kuwait and other countries. Therefore, you need to understand what’s new in this plan and what it offers to residents of Kuwait. You will get to know this and much more by going through this informative blog.
What’s the 2026-2028 Immigration Plan?
It is Canada’s official roadmap for managing the number of newcomers entering the country over the next three years. It highlights how many permanent residents, temporary residents, international students, and foreign workers Canada aims to welcome between 2026 and 2028.
The plan focuses on helping temporary residents transition into permanent residents through skilled immigration programs. It is also keeping the PR targets stable at around 380,000 people per year. Meanwhile, temporary admissions such as international students and work permit holders will be reduced to balance housing, jobs, and public services.
Background of This Plan
It was officially presented in Parliament on November 4, 2025, as part of the federal government’s 2025-2026 fiscal strategy. This new approach was designed to address several challenges that emerged due to the rapid population increase driven by temporary residents.
Over the last few years, Canada faced pressure on housing, healthcare, and public infrastructure. A high number of international students and foreign workers created strong competition for limited resources. As a result, the government realized the need to recalibrate its immigration system.
The new plan focuses on finding a better balance between welcoming newcomers and ensuring the country’s capacity to accommodate them. It pays special attention to economic immigration, which means welcoming people who bring valuable skills and contribute to the country’s workforce.
By introducing this new approach, the government is trying to maintain strong economic growth and long-term stability for both current and future residents.
Major Updates in the 2026-2028 Immigration Plan
- A new federal program will help up to 33,000 temporary work permit holders move to permanent residency between 2026 and 2027. This initiative focuses on people already working in Canada who have proven their skills and contributions to the local economy.
- Temporary resident numbers will decrease to 385,000 in 2026, compared to 673,650 in 2025. It’s around a 43% reduction. It helps Canada manage population growth, housing, and infrastructure more effectively.
- Canada plans to admit 155,000 international students in 2026, which is almost 50% less than from 305,900 in 2025. It will help balance education capacity, protect student welfare, and manage living costs.
- The Temporary Foreign Worker target will be 230,000 for 2026, which is a 37% drop from 367,750 in 2025. However, it remains 8% higher than earlier projections to make sure healthcare, construction, and agriculture industries continue to receive the labor they need.
- The permanent resident goal will stay consistent at 380,000 per year. This stability gives applicants clear expectations and supports Canada’s plan to focus on skilled immigration.
- Economic immigration will account for 64% of all PR admissions, which is higher than the previous 59%. This change confirms that Canada wants to attract skilled individuals who can contribute directly to national growth.
- The government will provide additional assistance to industries facing worker shortages and promote settlement in rural and remote regions.
Vision Behind These Changes
Balancing Population Growth
Focusing on Skilled Workforce
The plan gives priority to skilled professionals who can fill labor gaps in industries like healthcare, construction, and technology. By aligning immigration goals with labor market needs, Canada aims to strengthen productivity and economic stability.
Supporting Integration
Providing Pathways for Temporary Residents
Many people in Canada on study or work permits have already proven their value. The new plan offers them clearer routes to permanent residency, recognizing their contribution to the economy. This stability allows temporary residents to plan their futures with confidence.
Ensuring Transparency
Opportunities for Kuwait Residents Under the New Plan
For residents of Kuwait, the new immigration plan presents both new opportunities and some changes to prepare for. Since the focus is now on transitioning from temporary to permanent residency, individuals who have studied or worked in Canada before will have a clear advantage.
Kuwaiti students can explore educational opportunities in Canada that lead to permanent pathways through programs like Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP). Skilled professionals from Kuwait can apply through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) that prioritize applicants with specific skills.
Families planning to settle can also benefit from family sponsorship programs, which are an important part of the permanent residency targets. The new TR to PR focus means that once someone from Kuwait enters Canada for study or work, they now have a better chance of building a long-term future.
How DM Consultant Helps Applicants from Kuwait
Understanding Canada’s immigration changes can be difficult, especially when every program comes with unique eligibility and documentation rules. This is where DM Consultants play an important role.
It has a team of skilled professionals to assist applicants in choosing the right pathway based on their profile. They provide complete guidance on documentation, eligibility assessments, and application procedures. They also help clients track policy changes, stay updated with new requirements, and prepare strong profiles for immigration success.