Key facts
- Published
- Yearly, usually in the autumn
- Covers
- The next three years
- Largest share
- Economic immigration
- Other classes
- Family, refugees and protected persons, humanitarian
- Recent direction
- Lower overall permanent resident targets than the peak years
- Official authority
- IRCC
Last verified against official sources: 2026-09-21
What it means if you're applying
The levels plan sets the size of the pie; it doesn't pick who gets invited. A lower economic target can mean fewer invitations overall, but IRCC also decides how to split invitations between general, Canadian Experience Class, French-language and category-based rounds. That's why looking at recent draws for your profile tells you more than the headline number.
Python explanation
Recent plans have leaned towards people already in Canada and towards French-speaking immigration outside Quebec. That's our reading of the plan and of recent rounds — not an IRCC rule — but it's visible in the draw data.
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants will Canada accept in 2026?
The exact targets are in IRCC's current levels plan notice, which gives a target and a range for each year and class. Check the official notice for the current figures, as the government can revise them.
Does the levels plan affect Express Entry cut-offs?
Indirectly. Fewer economic spaces can mean fewer invitations, which can push cut-offs up, but the type and timing of rounds matters too.
What to do next
- Compare your score with recent rounds that match your profile.
- Read our French Express Entry analysis if you speak French.
Your next steps
Continue in the order most people find useful, rather than a list of unrelated pages.