Canada has announced plans to welcome 370,000 new temporary residents and admit 380,000 permanent residents annually between 2027 and 2029.

The three-year immigration levels plan outlined its targets for international students, foreign workers and people seeking permanent residency from Nigeria and other countries.

The targets are contained in the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on November 5, as the government seeks to stabilise immigration, address labour shortages and attract skilled workers to support economic growth.

Under the new plan, Canada will maintain its annual target for new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 throughout the three-year period. Permanent resident admissions will also remain at 380,000 annually.

The government said the plan was designed to create greater predictability for employers, educational institutions, provinces and territories, while ensuring that immigration supports the country’s economic priorities and does not place excessive pressure on public services and infrastructure.

For Nigerians considering studying, working or settling permanently in Canada, the announcement provides an overview of the country’s planned admission levels and the immigration categories that will receive priority over the next three years.

However, the figures are national targets covering eligible arrivals from all countries. They do not represent specific admission quotas reserved for Nigerians or any other nationality.

Canada targets 370,000 temporary residents yearly
According to IRCC, Canada will maintain its target of 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals in each of the years 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The temporary resident target covers new arrivals under the International Student Program, the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Out of the 370,000 annual arrivals, workers will account for 220,000, representing approximately 60 per cent, while international students will make up the remaining 150,000, or about 40 per cent.

The allocation for workers includes 170,000 arrivals under the International Mobility Program (IMP) and 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The International Mobility Program covers several work permit streams that do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These include work permits issued under international agreements with partner countries, as well as certain economic and family-related programmes.

The programme also includes work permits issued under the Post-Graduation Work Permit system, although IRCC has excluded post-graduation work permits from the new-arrival targets because it considers them extensions or changes of status rather than new arrivals.

The programme’s targets also exclude seasonal and short-duration streams.

Meanwhile, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is designed to enable Canadian employers to recruit foreign nationals when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are unavailable to fill specific positions.

Though employers generally require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers under the programme, the assessment establishes whether employing a foreign national is necessary to fill a position and considers the potential impact on the Canadian labour market.

The programme includes agricultural and non-agricultural employment streams and the new targets cover non-seasonal workers expected to remain in Canada for more than one year.

Seasonal workers who enter and leave Canada within the same calendar year are excluded from the target.

IRCC said maintaining the temporary resident targets would provide stability for employers and educational institutions and help the country to attract international talent and meet short-term labour demands associated with major investments.

The government also said the approach would help manage the number of non-permanent residents in the country as part of its broader objective of keeping their share of Canada’s population below five per cent.

The 370,000 figures are targets for new arrivals, not the total number of temporary residents who will be living in Canada during each year. They also do not include visitors entering with temporary resident visas or electronic travel authorisations.

Permit extensions, applications for study or work permits made by people already in Canada and asylum claimants are not counted as new arrivals under these targets, although some of these categories are included in the government’s broader calculations for managing the temporary resident population.

Canada maintains 380,000 permanent resident admissions yearly
For people seeking permanent residency, Canada has set an annual admission target of 380,000 for 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The target will be distributed across four major immigration categories: economic immigration, family reunification, refugees and protected persons, and humanitarian and other admissions.

Economic immigration will receive the largest allocation, accounting for 64.4 per cent of total permanent resident admissions throughout the three years.

IRCC set an annual target of 244,700 admissions under the economic category, reflecting the government’s intention to prioritise immigrants with skills and experience that can contribute to the Canadian economy.

The government said the category would support economic growth, innovation, address persistent labour shortages and strengthen rural and remote communities.

The approach will also be supported by continued reforms to Express Entry and other federal economic immigration programmes to attract workers with skills that are in demand across the country.

These include skilled tradespeople and other high-potential candidates whose qualifications and experience can complement Canada’s domestic workforce.

Express Entry and skilled workers
The Federal High Skilled category will account for 100,000 permanent resident admissions annually throughout the plan.

This category includes candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class.

These programmes provide pathways for eligible foreign nationals with relevant education, work experience, language ability and other qualifications to apply for permanent residency.

IRCC said the Express Entry categories would continue to be informed by labour market information, economic projections and consultations with provinces, territories and other stakeholders.

The objective is to select candidates with specific skills, training and language abilities that respond to the country’s changing workforce needs.

For Nigerians interested in skilled migration, these programmes remain among the federal economic pathways to examine, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

Provincial Nominee Program retains 95,000 places
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will receive 95,000 admissions annually from 2027 to 2029.

The programme allows participating provinces and territories to nominate eligible foreign nationals whose skills, education and work experience meet their local economic and labour market needs.

It is an important pathway for applicants who may have qualifications or professional experience that are particularly relevant to specific provinces.

Under the new plan, the allocation remains unchanged at 95,000 annually, with an operational range of 83,000 to 106,000 admissions.

The government said it would modestly increase provincial programmes to help address regional labour needs.

This means provincial immigration pathways will continue to play a significant role in Canada’s efforts to attract workers beyond its major economic centres.

Business immigration targets fluctuate
Canada also outlined targets for federal business immigration programmes, including the Start-up Visa Program and the Self-employed Persons Program.

The category will receive 1,500 admissions in 2027, rising to 2,725 in 2028 before declining to 1,000 in 2029.

The figures indicate that business immigration will account for a relatively small proportion of overall permanent resident admissions compared with skilled worker and provincial nomination programmes.

Other economic immigration pathways
The plan also provides allocations for several federal economic pilots and regional programmes.

These include the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, Agri-Food Pilot, Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, Francophone Community Immigration Pilot and admissions under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.

The combined target for the federal economic pilots is 7,900 in 2027, 6,175 in 2028 and 7,400 in 2029.

The Rural Community Immigration Program will receive 5,500 admissions in 2027, increasing to 6,000 in 2028 and 6,500 in 2029.

The Atlantic Immigration Program will maintain an annual target of 6,000 throughout the period. These programmes are intended to help employers and communities outside Canada’s largest urban centres attract workers and address local labour shortages.

The allocation for Quebec-skilled workers and business immigrants remains to be determined, as Quebec has responsibility for selecting economic immigrants destined for the province under the Canada-Quebec Accord.

Family reunification remains a priority
Beyond economic immigration, Canada will maintain its commitment to family reunification, with 81,000 permanent resident admissions allocated to the category annually between 2027 and 2029.

The family category will account for 21.3 per cent of overall permanent resident admissions throughout the period.

Of the 81,000 annual places, 66,000 will be allocated to spouses, partners and children, while parents and grandparents will account for 15,000.

The allocation means Canada will continue to provide pathways for eligible permanent residents and citizens to reunite with immediate family members, subject to the relevant sponsorship and immigration requirements.

The government said the family category would remain stable throughout the three-year period, reflecting its commitment to keeping families together while managing overall immigration levels.

For Nigerians with eligible family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, family sponsorship remains an important route to permanent residency.

However, the national targets do not mean that every applicant will automatically receive approval. Applicants must still meet the requirements of the relevant immigration programme.

*Canada sets aside 49,300 places for refugees and protected persons*

Canada will allocate 49,300 permanent resident admissions annually to refugees and protected persons between 2027 and 2029.

The category will account for approximately 13 per cent of overall permanent resident admissions.

The allocation includes 20,000 places for protected persons in Canada and their dependants abroad.

Government-assisted resettled refugees will receive 11,750 places annually, while privately sponsored refugees will account for 17,550.

The plan also includes provisions for human rights defenders in need of protection and LGBTQI+ individuals under relevant refugee and protection programmes.

IRCC said maintaining the allocation would allow Canada to continue meeting its humanitarian and international protection commitments.

The government has also retained 5,000 annual admissions for the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category, representing 1.3 per cent of overall permanent resident admissions.

This category covers individuals admitted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, through public policy considerations and under the permit holder class.

*Canada increases French-speaking immigrant targets*

Another major feature of the 2027-2029 plan is Canada’s intention to increase the number of French-speaking permanent residents admitted outside Quebec.

The government has set a target of 9.5 per cent of permanent resident admissions outside Quebec for French-speaking immigrants in 2027.

The target will rise to 10.5 per cent in 2028 and 12 per cent in 2029.

In admission numbers, this represents approximately 31,825 French-speaking permanent residents in 2027, 35,175 in 2028 and 40,200 in 2029.

The policy is intended to strengthen Francophone minority communities outside Quebec and support their economic development, population growth and cultural vitality.

The government said the targets would help attract French-speaking immigrants to communities where their language skills could contribute to local development.

The figures may be updated after Quebec releases its 2027 immigration levels plan, as the targets are calculated based on the overall permanent resident admissions outside the province.

Canada introduces special pathway for some workers, long-term residents

Beyond the regular immigration targets, IRCC is introducing a time-limited measure in 2027 to create additional room for processing permanent residency applications for two groups of people already living in Canada.

The first group will comprise workers and their accompanying family members.

Under the measure, Canada plans to transition eligible in-country workers to permanent residency in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.

The initiative is intended to address regional labour market needs by helping provinces and territories retain workers who are already contributing to their economies.

The second group will comprise individuals who have been in Canada for many years and are awaiting decisions or opportunities under humanitarian arrangements.

The government said the measure would provide fairness, help keep families together and allow Canada to fulfil some of its existing humanitarian commitments.

According to IRCC, transitioning people who are already living in Canada to permanent residency will support the economy and improve the efficiency of the immigration system without increasing pressure on public services and infrastructure.

The new measure will operate alongside existing one-time initiatives announced in Canada’s 2025 budget.

Canada to transition up to 148,000 people to permanent residency under existing initiatives
IRCC said it would continue implementing previously announced initiatives designed to accelerate the transition of certain people already in Canada to permanent residency.

The government plans to facilitate the transition of up to 115,000 protected persons in Canada and their dependants living in the country.

It also intends to transition 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residency during 2026 and 2027. Together, the initiatives cover up to 148,000 people.

The measures are separate from the regular annual permanent resident admission targets and are intended to address existing cases involving people already in Canada.

The government said the initiatives would help provide greater certainty for eligible individuals while supporting its broader immigration management objectives.

What the three-year plan means for Nigerians
For Nigerians planning to relocate to Canada, the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan provides an indication of the country’s immigration priorities over the next three years.

The continued allocation of 220,000 new worker arrivals annually shows that Canada intends to maintain pathways for foreign workers, although admission will depend on employer demand, programme eligibility and the applicable selection requirements.

The annual target of 150,000 new international students also provides an indication of the planned scale of international student arrivals.

However, the figure should not be interpreted as a guarantee that study permits will be approved for everyone who secures admission into a Canadian institution.

Prospective students must still meet Canada’s study permit requirements, including providing the necessary documentation and satisfying the relevant financial and other eligibility conditions.

For skilled workers, the continued allocation of 100,000 places under the Federal High Skilled category and 95,000 under the Provincial Nominee Program highlights the importance of economic immigration to Canada’s long-term strategy.

Applicants with qualifications and work experience that match Canada’s labour market needs may explore the relevant federal and provincial pathways.

Family sponsorship will also remain available to eligible applicants, while refugee and humanitarian programmes will continue to provide protection and other immigration routes for people who meet the relevant criteria.

However, Nigerians should understand that the 370,000 temporary resident and 380,000 permanent resident figures are nationwide targets. IRCC has not announced a separate allocation for Nigeria, and the figures do not guarantee admission or approval for applicants from any particular country.

The new plan also does not mean that Canada has opened a new application window for every immigration category. Each programme will continue to operate under its own eligibility conditions, application procedures and selection arrangements.

Government seeks a more predictable immigration system
Explaining the broader direction of the plan, IRCC said the government was building on measures already taken to restore stability and predictability to Canada’s immigration system.

The strategy is intended to attract the skills and talent required to complement the domestic workforce, support major investments and address labour shortages across different regions.

It also places emphasis on cooperation with provinces and territories, particularly in addressing the workforce needs of rural and remote communities.

By maintaining permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually and stabilising new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000, Canada is seeking to balance its demand for foreign talent with the need to manage population growth and pressure on public infrastructure.

The government said the approach would reinforce public confidence in a well-managed immigration system while supporting economic development and humanitarian commitments.

The 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan therefore signals a continued focus on skilled workers, regional economic development and family reunification, while maintaining controlled targets for international students and temporary foreign workers.

For Nigerians and other prospective immigrants, the plan offers a clearer picture of Canada’s admission priorities, but successful applications would continue to depend on individual qualifications, eligibility and the requirements of the specific immigration pathway.