What Countries Immigrate to Canada the Most?

Every year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes country-by-country data on who becomes a new permanent resident. The ranking shifts slightly from year to year, but the same handful of countries, led by India, the Philippines, China, Cameroon, and Nigeria, have dominated the list for several years running. If you are considering your own Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program application, understanding where you fit into this picture can help you gauge how competitive your profile is.

Which Countries Send the Most Immigrants to Canada in 2026?

Based on IRCC's most recently published figures, here is how the top source countries ranked by new permanent resident admissions in 2025:

1. India: 98,830 new permanent residents

2. Philippines: 25,230

3. Cameroon: 22,925

4. China: 21,115

5. Nigeria: 16,355

6. Eritrea: 12,350

7. France: 11,970

8. Pakistan: 8,890

9. Ukraine: 8,365

10. Afghanistan: 8,215

In the first half of 2026, the same four countries led the list again, with 44,335 new permanent residents from India, 13,475 from the Philippines, 9,630 from China and 8,810 from Cameroon. China moved ahead of Cameroon into third place over that period.

Together, these ten countries made up roughly 59 percent of all new permanent residents landing in Canada in 2025, out of 393,530 total admissions that year, itself an 18.6 percent drop from 2024's 483,655.

Top Source Countries for Canadian Immigration — Full Ranking

India — Why It Leads Canada's Immigration Numbers

India has topped Canada's source-country list for well over a decade, and by a wide margin. Indian nationals arrive mainly through the Express Entry system , family sponsorship, and study-to-permanent-residency transitions. That said, India's share of total admissions has been shrinking, from close to 30 percent in 2023 down to around 25 percent in 2025, largely due to tighter study permit approvals reducing the pipeline of international students who later convert to permanent residency.

The Philippines

The Philippines has held the number two spot for most of the past decade. Filipino nationals typically arrive through skilled worker streams, caregiver-focused Provincial Nominee Program categories, and family sponsorship . Canada's ongoing demand for healthcare workers and caregivers keeps this pathway active.

China

China remains a consistent top-five source country, driven heavily by international students who transition from study permits into permanent residency, along with investment-linked and family-sponsored pathways.

Cameroon and the Rise of Francophone African Immigration

Cameroon's rapid climb into the top three is one of the more notable recent shifts. It reflects Canada's deliberate push to grow Francophone immigration outside Quebec, with a target of 10.5 percent of all admissions by 2028. Cameroonian nationals are arriving in growing numbers through Express Entry's French-language category-based draws and targeted Provincial Nominee streams.

Nigeria

Nigeria consistently ranks in the top five, driven by strong English proficiency, high rates of postsecondary education that align well with Express Entry's point system, and an established Nigerian community in Canada that eases integration for newcomers.

Other Countries in the Top 10 (Eritrea, France, Pakistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan)

Eritrea and Afghanistan appear in the top ten largely through refugee and humanitarian resettlement programs. Ukraine's presence reflects Canada's special immigration measures introduced for people displaced by the war. France continues to send steady numbers through Francophone mobility programs, while Pakistan relies mainly on skilled worker streams and family sponsorship, similar to India and the Philippines.

How Do People From These Countries Immigrate to Canada?

Most new permanent residents arrive through one of three main routes: Express Entry covering the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades programs; the Provincial Nominee Program , where a province nominates candidates who match its specific labour needs; and Family Sponsorship, for spouses, partners, dependents, and parents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. A smaller share arrive through refugee and humanitarian channels, or convert from a study or work permit into permanent status over time.

Why Is Canada a Top Destination for Immigrants?

Canada's continued appeal comes down to a stable, growing economy with persistent demand for skilled labour, a points-based immigration system that rewards education and work experience, political stability, and one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse societies among major immigration destination countries. That diversity means newcomers from almost any country can typically find an established community from their home country already settled in Canada, which meaningfully eases the adjustment period.

Is Immigration to Canada From These Countries Changing?

Yes, the picture is shifting. Canada's 2026 to 2028 Levels Plan holds permanent resident admissions steady at 380,000 in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028. That follows 393,530 admissions in 2025 and a record 483,655 in 2024, so the current plan locks in a lower, flatter intake rather than a year over year decline. Economic immigration takes a larger share of that smaller total, reaching 64 percent of admissions by 2027. Within the plan, India's share is easing while Francophone African countries like Cameroon are gaining ground, reflecting Canada's targeted push to grow French-speaking immigration outside Quebec, with a goal of 10.5 percent of admissions by 2028.