Big changes are coming to Canada when it comes to its immigration rules in 2026. We’ve already seen many changes to the country’s policies throughout 2025, but with the new year being here, Canada will continue tighten its rules and cut its number of temporary and permanent residents, students, and temporary workers as 2026 begins.

Here’s what you need to know as the country shifts its immigration rules in the new year.

New Immigration Rules In Canada

Caps On Temporary Workers and International Students

By 2027, Canada plans to decrease its number of temporary residents to less than 5% of its total population. This means that just 230,000 new temporary workers will be admitted into Canada in 2026, a steep difference when compared to the country’s 2025 goal of 367,750.

Similarly, Canada will be slashing its international student admissions by more than 50%. In previous years (2024 and 2025), the international student cap sat at 360,000 and 437,000, respectively. In 2026, this will be cut to just 155,000.

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Moreover, international students will have to prove that they can sustain themselves monetarily while in Canada. They will be required to provide bank statements and other similar documents that show that they have enough money to live within the country. While this rule was already in place, the amount that international students have to hold has been updated by more than $2,000 as of September 1, 2025. For single applicants, they must now have at least $22,895, which grows around $6,000 per year for each family member joining them.

Canada will also be introducing stricter rules when it comes to work permits for spouses and common-law partners of international students, as well as spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of foreign workers. Open work permits were previously available for all of these parties, but now they will only be for spouses of international students who are in a 16-month or longer master’s program, a doctoral program, or are enrolled in certain professional programs like law or nursing.

Cutting Back On Permanent Residents

In that same vein, Canada’s 2026 target of 380,000 permanent residents is down slightly from 2025’s 395,000. This number is set to stay the same throughout 2027 and 2026, though.

Permanent residents are people who aren’t citizens of Canada, but have been given permission to live and work within the country. While they cannot vote, they pay taxes and have access to health care. There are a number of ways non-citizens can become permanent residents, such as through family sponsorship, applying as a skilled worker, or having a refugee status. Skilled workers are being prioritized in 2026, and those who work in high-demand sectors like healthcare, trade occupations, and STEM fields will be prioritized through the Express Entry system, as well.

Canadian (and French) Focus

While some people might have a harder time getting permanent residency in Canada, those with previous experience in the country will find it to be easier. Canada’s immigration department will be accelerating switching up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in both 2026 and 2027, focusing on those with Canadian experience.

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Canada will also be looking for more francophone permanent residents. With the country’s 2026 target up 9%, this percentage will continue to grow in later years.