IRCC’s 2026 Plan gives priority to In-Canada PR applicants, i.e., In-Canada applicants for permanent residence (PR) continue to be at the heart of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) new Immigration Levels Plan, even though this year’s announcement does not include a separate “In-Canada focus” category.
During a recent media briefing, Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that IRCC will “give priority for permanent residence to temporary residents already living and settled in Canada.” The minister explained that this policy will help reduce the number of new arrivals coming from outside the country.
To support this, the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan mentions that IRCC will set targets for temporary and permanent residents together, with a focus on helping those already in Canada transition to permanent residence.
Today, we will look at the key policy steps IRCC plans to take to help more temporary residents in Canada become permanent residents.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Express Entry Targets Stay Strong
The federal government has decided to keep Express Entry admission targets relatively high, even though there is a small dip next year. Federal High-Skilled admission targets, which include Express Entry candidates, will decrease slightly from 124,680 in 2025 to 109,000 in 2026.
However, the targets will rise again in 2027 and 2028, staying steady at 111,000 admissions each year.
Although IRCC has not shared how this total will be divided among specific programs, the government clearly wants to keep strong numbers through federal economic immigration streams. In 2026, 64% of all permanent residence admissions will come through economic immigration programs.
This plan benefits Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates the most. These candidates already live and work in Canada and have Canadian job experience, which is required for eligibility under the CEC program. Research also shows that CEC candidates do very well in Canada’s job market after becoming permanent residents.
Since selecting these candidates helps IRCC reach many of its goals, Canada may again see larger CEC-specific draws in 2026. However, the department has not confirmed this yet.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Targets Increase Greatly
As IRCC’s 2026 Plan gives priority to In-Canada PR applicants, it is vital to note that one of the biggest highlights of the Immigration Levels Plan is the sharp rise in targets for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
IRCC has raised the PNP admission target from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026.
This number will go up slightly to 92,500 in 2027 and 2028.
This 66% increase suggests that provinces and territories will now have more flexibility to nominate temporary residents already in Canada for permanent residency.
PNPs are one of the most popular pathways for temporary residents such as work or study permit holders to gain PR status and settle in the same province where they have already been living or working. Most provinces have special PNP streams for people who have Canadian work or education experience in their region. This shows that the person is likely to integrate well and stay long-term.
In 2025, many provinces mentioned that IRCC required 75% of nominees to be in Canada already. This helped reduce the number of newcomers arriving from abroad while supporting the integration of those who are already here. It is not yet confirmed if this 75% rule will continue in 2026.
Two One-Time Programs For 2026 And 2027
To further meet its goal of helping more temporary residents become PRs, IRCC plans to launch two one-time initiatives over the next two years.
Faster PR For Skilled Workers
Over 2026 and 2027, IRCC will fast-track permanent residence for up to 33,000 skilled workers already in Canada.
This program will focus on temporary residents working in key industries, especially those in rural areas where there are labour shortages.
IRCC will choose candidates who have strong community ties, steady work history, and who actively contribute to the Canadian economy through taxes.
PR For Protected Persons
At the same time, IRCC will also grant permanent residence to up to 115,000 Protected Persons who are already in Canada.
Protected Persons include individuals who have been given refugee status or who have been recognized by IRCC or the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) as people who need protection and cannot return to their home countries.
This initiative will help these individuals settle permanently in Canada and become active members of society. It also supports Canada’s humanitarian values and global reputation for offering protection to those in need.
Also note that these 115,000 admissions are not part of the regular PR targets listed in the Immigration Levels Plan – they are additional.
What This Means For In-Canada Applicants?
IRCC’s latest plan makes it clear that Canada’s future immigration system will focus more on people already living in the country rather than bringing in new arrivals from abroad.
By keeping high targets for Express Entry and raising PNP numbers, IRCC is creating more chances for temporary workers, graduates, and refugees already in Canada to gain permanent residence.
The one-time programs in 2026 and 2027 will further help skilled workers and protected persons build their future in Canada.
In short, while Canada is slowing the overall growth of its temporary resident population, it is opening more doors for those who have already made Canada their home to stay permanently and contribute long-term.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
