IRCC Policy Update — October 8, 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Canada's 2026–27 Departmental Plan targets 380,000 permanent resident admissions in 2026 while cutting new temporary resident arrivals sharply from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026, aiming to reduce total temporary residents to under 5% of Canada's population by end of 2027.
Economic immigration is being prioritized, with the economic migrant share of PR admissions rising from 59% to 64% by 2027, and Francophone immigration targeted at 9% of PR admissions in 2026 with a long-term goal of 12%.
Effective April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased (e.g., 10-year adult passport from $160 to $163.50) and a new '30 days or free' processing guarantee took effect, refunding fees automatically if processing exceeds 30 business days.
What You Should Do
- If you are a temporary resident (worker or student) in Canada, review how the reduced 2026 target of 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals may affect your pathway to PR. Check updated streams at canada.ca/express-entry.
- If you are applying for or renewing a Canadian passport, budget for the new fees: $163.50 for a 10-year adult passport or $122.50 for a 5-year adult passport (in-Canada applications). Fees took effect March 31, 2026. Apply at canada.ca/passport.
- If your passport application takes longer than 30 business days to process (clock starts when IRCC receives a complete application), you are entitled to a full fee refund under the new '30 days or free' guarantee — no action required, refund is automatic.
- Francophone applicants outside Quebec: note the 9% Francophone PR target for 2026 and check dedicated Express Entry draws for French-speaking candidates at canada.ca/express-entry to assess your eligibility.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada's 2026-2028 Levels Plan locks PR admissions at 380,000 for 2026 and dramatically cuts new temporary resident arrivals from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026, targeting a temporary resident population below 5% of Canada's total population by end of 2027. Economic immigrants will grow from 59% to 64% of all PR admissions by 2027.
Service Fee Adjustments: Canadian passport fees increased effective March 31, 2026 for the first time since 2013, with a 10-year adult passport rising from $160 to $163.50. A new 30-business-day processing guarantee with automatic fee refunds also took effect April 1, 2026.
International Student Cap Reduction: The 2026–27 Departmental Plan confirms continued reductions to international student arrivals as part of the broader cut in new temporary resident targets from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026.
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
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IRCC Policy Update — October 5, 2026
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IRCC Policy Update — October 1, 2026
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