On November 1st IRCC unveiled the recent Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026. It highlights a consistent upward trend in admission targets for Canada’s two largest economic immigration pathways.
This annual plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for the number of permanent residents Canada aims to admit over the next three years. Encompassing all immigration categories, including economic, family, and refugee/humanitarian.
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Moreover, within this year’s plan, IRCC has emphasized the continued prominence of economic immigration programs in driving Canada’s growth in terms of permanent residency. In addition, Express Entry and Canada’s 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) will take on the primary role in this endeavor.
Which Program will Lead Permanent Resident Admissions from 2024 to 2026?
In November 2022, Canada released its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan. Observers noted that Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) immigration targets had exceeded the Express Entry system. Establishing the PNPs as Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway.
Last year, PNPs throughout Canada “extended invitations to a total of 83,500 new permanent residents (PRs) for Canada.” The 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan indicated that IRCC PNP target was set to rise to 105,000 in 2023. With targets for 2024 and 2025 established at 110,000 and 117,500, respectively.
Furthermore, as per the most recent Immigration Levels Plan (2024-2026) released by IRCC, Express Entry is poised to regain its status as the leading economic immigration pathway in Canada. However, this expectation is only for 2024. For 2025 and 2026, the current admission targets place Canada’s PNPs at the forefront of all economic immigration pathways in the country.
In addition, in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has outlined the following admission targets for Express Entry and the country’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
2024
- Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 110,770
- PNPs: 110,000
2025
- PNPs: 120,000
- Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 117,500
2026
- PNPs: 120,000
- Lastly, Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 117,500
Lastly, the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan paints a clear picture of Canada’s evolving priorities in economic immigration. With Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) taking center stage, it’s evident that Canada is strategically shaping its path towards welcoming skilled individuals and families who contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity. as we look ahead to the coming years, it’s clear that both Express Entry and PNPs will continue to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of Canadian immigration.
