A Canada Border Services Agency badge appears on an officer’s uniform at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on October 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says Canada welcomed about 393,500 new permanent residents in 2025, a figure that closely matches the federal government’s planned target for the year.
The total came in slightly below expectations set earlier. In the fall of 2024, Ottawa announced its immigration goals for 2025 through 2027 as part of its Levels Plan, which aimed to slow short-term population growth. The target for 2025 stood at 395,000, placing the final count roughly 2,000 people under that mark.
Fewer Newcomers Ahead
Looking forward, the federal government plans to admit fewer permanent residents in the coming years. Canada expects to welcome 380,000 permanent residents in 2026 and the same number again in 2027.
After that period, officials say permanent resident admissions will remain below one per cent of Canada’s total population. The government says this approach will help balance economic needs with pressure on housing, health care, and other services.
Focus on Workers Already in Canada
A key part of the plan involves people who already live and work in the country. Of the permanent resident visas approved over the next two years, the government says 33,000 will go to temporary workers already in Canada.
“These workers have established strong roots in their communities, are paying taxes and are helping to build the strong economy Canada needs,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada wrote.
By focusing on people already here, the government hopes to support businesses while reducing the need for large increases in new arrivals from abroad.
Population Sees Rare Decline
While Canada continued to admit hundreds of thousands of permanent residents, the overall population told a different story in 2025. Cuts to temporary resident numbers led to the largest population drop ever recorded.
According to early figures released in December by Statistics Canada, the temporary resident population fell by 176,479 people. This marked the biggest decline since comparable records began.
Between July and October alone, more than 339,000 temporary permits expired. During that same period, authorities issued just over 163,000 new permits.
Shift in Immigration Strategy
The sharp drop reflects a major shift in federal policy. After years of rapid population growth driven largely by temporary residents, the government moved to slow that pace. Officials say the changes aim to give provinces and cities time to catch up on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
Even with the decline in temporary residents, Canada remains one of the world’s top destinations for newcomers. Permanent residents continue to arrive through family reunification, economic programs, and humanitarian pathways.
What Comes Next
As Canada heads into 2026, immigration levels will remain closely watched. The government says it will continue adjusting admissions to meet labour needs while keeping population growth more stable.
For now, the 2025 figures suggest Ottawa largely met its goals, even as it reshaped the country’s broader immigration system.
