Canada’s approach to immigration continues to evolve to meet the country’s social and economic needs. The Immigration Levels Plan, published annually, sets out immigration targets for the next three years—guiding how many newcomers will be welcomed as both permanent and temporary residents. A More Comprehensive Approach in 2025 In 2025, Canada is adopting a more balanced and strategic immigration policy that integrates both permanent and temporary resident pathways. The updated plan recognizes the importance of immigration in addressing labour shortages and supporting population growth—while also managing housing, infrastructure, and social services demands. Targeted Admissions for 2025:

• 395,000 Permanent Residents (21% increase from 2024)
• 305,900 International Students (10% increase from 2024)
• 367,750 Temporary Foreign Workers (16% increase from 2024)

  Why These Numbers Matter Canada has long been a destination for people seeking opportunity and a better quality of life. However, the country is now focused on stabilizing its population growth by carefully managing immigration intake. This year’s plan aims to:

• Curb short-term population surges
• Reduce reliance on temporary immigration pathways
• Limit temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population by end of 2026

This measured approach will support long-term sustainable growth by ensuring adequate access to housing, public services, and infrastructure.   Impact on Application Processing Times Canada aims to process 80% of immigration applications within standard service times. However, processing times may vary based on:

• Volume of applications
• Application complexity
• Whether files are complete upon submission

To support faster decisions, the immigration system is being modernized with digitization and automation—without compromising security or integrity.   From Temporary to Permanent: A Clearer Pathway A significant portion of future permanent residents are already living in Canada under temporary permits. These individuals are:

• Already employed or studying
• Integrated into Canadian communities
• Contributing economically and socially

In fact, over 40% of permanent resident admissions in 2025 are expected to come from this group. Expanding pathways for temporary residents to transition to permanent status helps ease infrastructure strain and promotes long-term stability. Recent Pathway Initiatives Include:

• Francophone Student Permanent Residency Pilot (2025)
• Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
• Gaining Experience stream in caregiver programs

  Immigration and the Economy: Driving National Prosperity Immigrants play a key role in strengthening Canada’s economy. They bring talent, innovation, and diversity to sectors including:

• Healthcare & Science
• Residential Construction
• Technology & Business
• Transportation & Food Services
• Arts, Sports & Philanthropy

Their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community building continue to fuel Canada’s growth.   Modernizing Canada’s Immigration System In 2023, Canada launched a nation-wide initiative, “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future”, to transform its immigration policies. The focus is now on creating a system that is:

• Efficient and resilient
• Aligned with housing, healthcare, and infrastructure planning
• Transparent and fair to newcomers

Stakeholder engagement is now central to planning, and Canadians’ voices have helped shape the 2025 levels plan.   Supporting Francophone Communities Strengthening Francophone minority communities outside Quebec remains a key priority. In 2025, Canada will ensure that 8.5% of permanent resident admissions are French-speaking newcomers, helping support the bilingual fabric of the nation. Ongoing Francophone Initiatives:

• Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
• Upcoming Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
• Expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative

  How Immigration Targets Are Set Each year, the government consults extensively with provinces, territories, businesses, and the public to determine how many newcomers Canada can support. This year, the consultation also focused on temporary resident numbers and Canada’s goal of reducing the overall temporary population to ensure system sustainability.   Recognizing Immigrant Contributions Beyond economics, immigrants bring vibrancy to Canada’s cultural and social landscape. Their stories are woven into the country’s fabric—from founding businesses to working in essential services. Explore inspiring stories of newcomers building a life and legacy in Canada—and discover how they are shaping the future from coast to coast.