IRCC Policy Update — August 17, 2026
Monday, August 17, 2026
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan caps new temporary resident arrivals at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028 — down sharply from 673,650 in 2025 — with the goal of reducing the temporary resident share of Canada's population to under 5% by end of 2027.
Permanent resident admissions are stabilized at no more than 416,500 in 2026, with economic immigration prioritized and Express Entry expected to account for approximately 124,680 admissions in key federal categories.
As of April 1, 2026, eight immigration-related changes took effect, including higher Canadian passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50) and a new '30 days or free' passport processing guarantee offering full refunds if processing exceeds 30 business days.
What You Should Do
- If you are a temporary foreign worker or international student planning to come to Canada in 2026, review the updated 2026-2028 Levels Plan targets at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels/supplementary-immigration-levels-2026-2028.html to understand how reduced arrival caps may affect your application timeline.
- If you are applying for or renewing a Canadian passport, note the new fees effective March 31, 2026: $163.50 for a 10-year adult passport (up from $160) and $122.50 for a 5-year adult passport (up from $120). Apply via the official passport application portal and confirm you qualify for a full fee refund if processing exceeds 30 business days under the '30 days or free' guarantee.
- If you are an employer relying on temporary foreign workers, review which sectors and occupations are prioritized under the 2026-2028 Levels Plan (skilled trades, healthcare, emerging tech) and assess whether your workforce needs align with the plan's economic immigration focus. Start workforce planning now to account for reduced overall temporary resident arrivals.
- If you are considering sponsoring parents or grandparents via a super visa, check the updated flexible income requirements that took effect April 1, 2026 on canada.ca to confirm your eligibility before submitting an application.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada has released its 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, sharply cutting new temporary resident arrivals from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026, while stabilizing permanent resident admissions at up to 416,500 annually and prioritizing economic immigration in skilled trades, healthcare, and emerging technology sectors.
International Student Cap Reduction: The 2026-2028 Levels Plan includes significant reductions to new international student arrivals as part of the broader target to reduce total temporary resident arrivals to 385,000 in 2026, down from 673,650 in 2025.
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31–April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013 — the 10-year adult passport now costs $163.50 — and a new '30 days or free' processing guarantee was introduced, offering full refunds if passport processing exceeds 30 business days.
How these topics connect
Canada's comprehensive immigration strategy is using study permit caps as a key lever to achieve its temporary population reduction targets.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — August 31, 2026
Aug 31, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — August 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — August 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
Get immigration updates in your inbox
Weekly analysis. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.