Canada’s immigration policy has seen significant and wide-ranging changes in recent years, especially over the last two years. These include lowering targets for permanent and temporary residents, suspending the Parents and Grandparents Program, tightening spousal open work permit eligibility, granting provinces greater decision-making power in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and prioritizing French‑speaking applicants.
- A Pause on 2026 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Intake, July 15, 2026
- Changes to co-op work permit requirements for post-secondary international students, April 1, 2026
- Canada Immigration Bill C-12 – Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, March 26, 2026
- New Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028, November 4, 2025
- Supplementary Information for the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, October 24, 2024
A Pause on 2026 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Intake
July 15, 2026
On July 15, 2026, Canada announced an indefinite pause on new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The move aims to responsibly manage the system and reduce extensive wait times of roughly 33 months (up to 66 in Quebec), as 60,500 applications are already in progress. Existing applications will continue to be processed, with a target to approve 15,000 people for permanent residence in both 2026 and 2027. As an alternative, families can still use the “super visa” for temporary visits of up to five years at a time.
Changes to co-op work permit requirements
April 1, 2026
Starting April 1, 2026, international students completing a paid co-op or internship program in Canada will no longer need to apply for a separate Co-op work permit.
To be eligible without a separate co-op work permit, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Study Permit Conditions: Your valid study permit must include conditions that allow you to work on campus. This includes the standard language found on most post-secondary study permits.
- Full-time Enrollment: You must be enrolled as a full-time student and not on an authorized leave from your studies.
- Program Requirement: The co-op, internship, or practicum must be a mandatory, essential component to complete your academic program. You will need a letter from your program or co-op office confirming this.
- Program Duration: Your primary program of study must be at least six months in duration and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Check the information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/simplifying-co-op-work-permit-requirement-post-secondary-international-students.html
Canada Immigration Bill C-12 – Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act
March 26, 2026
Canada Immigration Bill C-12, officially titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, is a significant piece of legislation that received royal assent on March 26, 2026, making it law. It represents a major overhaul of Canada’s immigration and asylum framework.
The new law strengthens Canada’s immigration and asylum systems in 4 key areas:
- New eligibility requirements for asylum claims
- A modernized asylum process
- Domestic information sharing
- Immigration document and application authorities
Check the information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/03/new-immigration-and-asylum-measures-from-bill-c-12-the-strengthening-canadas-immigration-system-and-borders-act-have-become-law.html
New Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028
2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration was released on November 4, 2025. The report unveiled the new immigration levels plan for 2026-2028.
- Check the information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration-2025.html
Permanent Resident Admissions
| Economic Immigration | Family Reunification | Refugees, Protected Persons,Humanitarian and Compassionate, and Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 239,800 | 84,000 | 56,200 | 380,000 |
| 2027 | 244,700 | 81,000 | 54,300 | 380,000 |
| 2028 | 244,700 | 81,000 | 54,300 | 380,000 |
New Temporary Resident Admissions
| Workers-IMP | Workers-TFWP | Workers Subtotal | Students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 170,000 | 60,000 | 230,000 | 155,000 | 385,000 |
| 2027 | 170,000 | 50,000 | 220,000 | 150,000 | 370,000 |
| 2028 | 170,000 | 50,000 | 220,000 | 150,000 | 370,000 |
The 2025 Report marks a pivotal moment. It signals a move away from rapid growth towards a more managed and “sustainable” system. The key takeaways are the reduction of temporary residents, a stable but lower permanent resident target with a stronger economic focus, and a continued commitment to Francophone immigration and humanitarian traditions.
Supplementary Information for the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan
October 24, 2024
The number of new permanent residents admitted are set at 395,000 in 2026, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
The targets for new temporary resident (including both work and study permits) arrivals are set at 673,650 (367,750 for workers and 305,900 for students) in 2025, 516,600 (210,700 for workers and 305,900 for students) in 2026, and 543,600 (237,700 for workers and 305,900 for students) in 2027.
For the first time, the 2025-2027 Levels Plan incorporates targets for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers.