Budget 2026 puts money behind the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and adds a one-time pathway for people already in Canada. The immigration measures sit in Chapter 3, section 3.4 ("Growing our skilled workforce to build Canada Strong").
The money
| Measure | Funding |
|---|---|
| Implement the 2027–2029 Levels Plan (IRCC) | $56.9 million over four years from 2027-28, plus $205.4 million in future years |
| Transition long-standing temporary residents to permanent residence | $302.3 million over four years from 2027-28, plus $90.6 million in future years |
| Reform the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (ESDC) | $151.5 million over five years from 2026-27 |
Further items in the annex include $98 million gross for asylum processing (2026-27 to 2030-31), $90 million gross for enhanced biometrics collection in immigration screening, and $82 million for the Migrant Worker Support Program.
The 200,000-person pathway
Up to 200,000 long-standing temporary residents could become permanent residents by the end of 2027. The budget specifies that this includes 100,000 workers who are eligible for Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.
What the budget does not yet tell us: the eligibility criteria and selection method for the rest, and how these admissions count against the 380,000 annual target. Watch IRCC announcements and the Annual Report to Parliament for those details. Until then, treat any "am I eligible" claim you read as unconfirmed.
Why the government says it is acting
The budget points to sharp falls in new arrivals between January and August 2026 compared with the same period in 2024: new international student arrivals down 71% (to 156,440), new worker arrivals down 57% (to 170,455), and new asylum claims down 68%.