IRCC Unveils Transformative 2025-2026 Immigration Strategy

By Vineet Tiwari

Canadian Immigration

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a groundbreaking 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, unveiling new pathways to permanent residence (PR) and innovative work permit streams. Published on June 20, 2025, this plan outlines significant reforms to shape Canada’s immigration landscape.

Key Initiatives:

• Permanent Residency Pathways: IRCC will make the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot a permanent PR route by the end of 2025 and explore a new pathway for refugee students.
• Work Permit Innovations: A new foreign labour stream and a specialized work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors will be developed.
• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs): A framework to update field of study requirements will be established.
• Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs): Eligibility criteria for spouses of foreign workers and international students will be revised.
• Trade Agreements: New free trade agreements (FTAs) with Indonesia and Ecuador will be implemented, with ongoing negotiations for additional FTA work permits with Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) candidates and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• Digital and Community Focus: A new online account system for all clients will roll out through 2025-2026, and the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative (WFCs) will be fully operationalized.
• GeoMatch Pilot: In collaboration with Stanford University, IRCC is testing a GeoMatch algorithm to assist Express Entry candidates in selecting settlement locations.

Reinforcing Commitments:

• Express Entry Priorities: Category-based selection will continue to favor healthcare workers, trades workers, education professionals, and French speakers.
• In-Canada Focus: At least 40% of PR admissions will target temporary residents (TRs) already in Canada.
• PNP Support: A temporary public policy will expand work permits for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, with provinces allocating 75% of nominations to those present in Canada.
• Family Sponsorships: Processing of overseas family applications will be expedited.
• Work and Study Caps: Annual Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will drop to 80,000–84,000 (from 184,000 in 2023), study permit intake will remain capped, and temporary resident levels will be reduced to 5% of Canada’s population.
• Permanent Resident Limits: Admissions will not exceed 1% of the population.
• Francophone Growth: The proportion of French-speaking PRs outside Quebec will rise to 8.5%.
• Integration and Services: Enhanced settlement services and expanded online passport renewal will support new PRs’ economic and social integration.

Performance Goals:
IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within service standards and achieve a 90% client satisfaction rate. As a public support indicator, at least 65% of Canadians should back current immigration levels by fiscal year-end (50% in 2023-2024, down from 67% in 2021-2022). Additionally, visitors and international students are expected to contribute at least $36 billion to the economy annually.

Policy Context:
In 2024, the federal government launched a strategic effort to ease infrastructure pressures—especially housing and social services—by capping study permits, restricting PGWP and SOWP eligibility, and halting low-wage LMIA processing in high-unemployment areas (6% or more). The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reflects this, cutting PR admissions by about 20% and setting temporary resident targets for the first time.

2025 Express Entry Draws (to Date):

• Canadian Experience Class: 6 draws, 15,850 ITAs
• PNP: 11 draws, 5,495 ITAs
• French-language proficiency: 3 draws, 18,500 ITAs
• Healthcare and social services: 2 draws, 1,000 ITAs
• Education: 1 draw, 1,000 ITAs

For expert guidance on navigating these changes, contact our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Mr. Vineet, at Liberty Immigration. Book your consultation today to secure your immigration journey!

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Written By

Vineet Tiwari

Vineet is a caring and creative leader who has lived in India, Oman, UAE, and Canada, giving him a rich multicultural perspective. His commitment to physical fitness keeps him energetic and focused. Vineet's dedication to his clients is evident as he often takes calls on weekends, ensuring they always feel supported and valued. His diverse background and unwavering availability help build strong, trusting relationships with our clients.