Canada Sets 422,000 PR Target for 2027 Plus 200,000 Transition Spaces
Overview of the November 5, 2026 Announcements
On November 5, 2026, the federal government published Budget 2026 alongside the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan. These publications outline admission targets and transition pathways for prospective immigrants.
Together, they set targets for new permanent residence admissions and for temporary residents already in Canada who move to permanent residence.
What the Budget and the Plan Announced
Budget 2026 introduces specific transition targets, while the Levels Plan sets incoming admission ranges. The table below lists the headline figures.
| Measure | Figure | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary-to-permanent transition spaces | up to 200,000 | Budget 2026 |
| Of which skilled workers (Express Entry and PNP) | 100,000 | Budget 2026 |
| Top of range, incoming PR admissions | 422,000 | Levels Plan |
| Sum of the two headline figures | 622,000 | Calculated: 422,000 + 200,000 |
How the 622,000 Figure Is Made Up
Adding the 422,000 top-of-range target to the 200,000 transition spaces gives 622,000. This is a sum of two separate figures, not a single target announced by the government.
Two details remain not specified in either document:
- How many of the 148,000 one-time initiative admissions remain.
- Whether the remaining one-time initiative admissions are counted inside the 200,000 transition spaces or are in addition to the 622,000 sum.
Moving Temporary Residents to Permanent Residence
Budget 2026 outlines measures to transition up to 200,000 in-Canada temporary residents to permanent residence by the end of 2027.
Of those spaces, 100,000 are earmarked for skilled workers through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This allocation operates in collaboration with provinces and territories.
Levels Plan Targets for 2027 to 2029
The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan outlines projected permanent residence admissions across the three-year cycle.
| Year | Projected admissions | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 380,000 | 352,500 to 422,000 |
| 2028 | 380,000 | 352,500 to 422,000 |
| 2029 | 380,000 | 352,500 to 422,000 |
The One-Time Initiatives
The Plan continues the intention to welcome the remainder of 148,000 admissions promised under two 2026–2027 one-time initiatives announced last year. That total includes up to 115,000 protected persons and 33,000 in-Canada workers.
From January 2026 to August 2026, Canada welcomed 46,330 new permanent residents under these initiatives, according to the government's permanent residence numbers page. Subtracting this from 148,000 leaves roughly 100,000 still to be admitted over the 16 months from September 2026 to December 2027. This is a calculation from published data; the Plan itself does not state how many admissions remain.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Readers should consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer about their own specific situation.
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