On October 24, 2024, the Government of Canada officially released the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, marking a major turning point in immigration policy. This is the first time Canada has reduced its permanent resident (PR) targets, and also the first time it has set a target for the temporary resident category. For anyone pursuing the Canadian skilled immigration roadmap, this is essential information for adjusting your application strategy. This article from the My Second World team will analyze the plan in detail and its real impact on you.
What is new in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan
The annual Immigration Levels Plan is the most important guiding document of Canada’s immigration system, setting the number of people granted permanent and temporary residence each year. Previously, plans always trended toward gradually increasing targets to offset an aging population and labor shortages. However, the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reverses that trend.
According to the announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government is proactively reducing overall immigration targets to ease pressure on housing, public services and the labor market, while still maintaining support for the economy. This is a response to concerns among the Canadian public about excessively rapid population growth during 2022-2024.
PR targets falling sharply year over year
The most notable aspect of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan is the cut to permanent resident targets. Specifically, the number of PRs to be admitted each year is as follows:
| Year | PR target | Compared with the previous plan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 395.000 | Down from 500,000 |
| 2026 | 380.000 | Down from 500,000 |
| 2027 | 365.000 | New target |
So compared with the previous plan’s target of 500,000 permanent residents per year, the 2025 figure of 395,000 represents a cut of about 21%. The reduction continues through 2027, with just 365,000 spots. This means the number of people granted permanent residence through economic programs, family sponsorship and humanitarian categories will all be scaled back.
For the economic class, which is the main gateway for skilled Vietnamese workers, the reduced target intensifies competition for Canada permanent resident (PR) card . The direct consequence is that cutoff scores in invitation rounds tend to rise, and draws may become less frequent compared with the previous period.
For the first time, Canada sets a temporary resident target
A completely new element of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan is setting a target for temporary-residencetemporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers. Previously, these two groups had no specific numerical limit in the immigration plan. This time, the government aims to reduce the temporary resident share of the population to 5% of the total population of Canada by the end of 2026.
Theo information from IRCC, the targets for new temporary residents are approximately 673,650 (2025), 516,600 (2026) and 543,600 (2027). To reach the 5% target, Canada is applying several measures such as: limiting the number of study permits issued, tightening financial proof requirements for international students, changing the conditions for issuing Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), and restricting work permits for the spouses of international students and foreign workers.
This is a notable change for anyone planning to use study or temporary work as a stepping stone toward permanent residence. Tightening the temporary resident stream makes the “study then stay” or “work then transition to PR” pathway more difficult and requires more careful planning beforehand.
Impact on Vietnamese skilled migration applicants
Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan creates both challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese workers. Below are the key impacts you should consider:
- Fiercer competition: As PR targets fall while demand for immigration does not, cut-off scores rise. You need to optimize your profile from the outset, especially your English score and work experience.
- Priority for those already in Canada: The government tends to favor people who have already lived, studied or worked in Canada, since they place less strain on services and are already integrated. This raises the value of Canadian experience.
- The role of provincial nomination is growing: Provincial programs continue to play a key role in attracting workers to meet local needs.
- Sector-based targeting: Canada continues to prioritize sectors facing labor shortages, such as healthcare, engineering and certain trades.
In this context, preparing a strong profile from the start is decisive. You should carefully review your score through Canada CRS score and understand how the system works Express Entry là gì to know where you stand among candidates.
Pathways remain open
Although overall targets are falling, Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan does not close the door on skilled workers. Several pathways remain a priority and are worth focusing your resources on:
First, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remain an important channel. Each province has its own occupation list and criteria, suited to candidates with skills the local area needs. Those nominated by a province typically receive significant additional points, boosting their chances of receiving an invitation.
Second, category-based draws continue to be maintained. Canada actively invites candidates from priority fields such as healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture and certain essential services. If you work in these sectors, your chances of receiving an invitation remain favorable even without a high CRS score.
Third, Canadian work experience is still highly valued. Those with a period of legal work here will have a major advantage when applying for permanent residence, in line with the government’s “priority for those already in Canada” direction.
What you should prepare now
Given these changes to the immigration plan, early and thorough preparation is the biggest competitive advantage. The My Second World team recommends you take the following steps:
- Improve your English proficiency: A high IELTS or CELPIP score is the strongest and easiest point-booster in your profile.
- Correctly identify your occupation code: Look up the correct NOC code and TEER group to know whether you fall into a priority category.
- Complete your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): This is a mandatory step for those with credentials earned outside Canada and requires processing time.
- Follow draws closely: Track cut-off score trends to choose the right timing and program.
Every profile has its own strengths and weaknesses. Correctly assessing your own capabilities, choosing the right program and preparing complete documentation will help you maximize your chances even during a period of shrinking targets.
Summary
Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan opens a new phase: first-time permanent resident targets fall to 395,000, 380,000 and 365,000 over three years, alongside the first-ever temporary resident targets aimed at bringing the temporary resident population down to 5% by the end of 2026. The clearest impacts are fiercer competition and a growing preference for those already in Canada. However, pathways such as provincial nomination, category-based draws and Canadian work experience remain wide open. If you need guidance on the right pathway, the immigration consulting team at My Second World is always ready to accompany you.
