Canada Boosts Provincial Immigration by 66% Starting in 2026

The federal government will increase the number of new permanent residents coming through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2026. The new target is 91,500 admissions, up from 55,000 last year. This marks a 66% rise and shows strong support for local immigration efforts across Canada.

The Immigration Levels Plan outlines the yearly targets and future projections. It gives provinces and territories a clearer picture of their upcoming nomination numbers.

Provinces to get more control

The PNP allows provinces to choose immigrants who meet their specific labour needs. Each province can create its own streams to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and students. These streams help fill key jobs that the federal Express Entry system may overlook.

This major increase means provinces can nominate more candidates who already live, study, or work locally. It’s expected to benefit many temporary residents, such as those holding work or study permits, by helping them move more easily to permanent resident status.

Boost for graduates and workers

Many post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders could see new opportunities. These former students often work in the same province where they studied. With the higher PNP target, they now have a better chance to gain permanent residency.

Those who receive a provincial nomination can also apply for a bridging open work permit (BOWP). This lets them keep working while waiting for a decision on their permanent residency application.

Who gains the most?

The expanded targets may especially help:

• Candidates with low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores under Express Entry.
  
• Workers in lower-skilled occupations.
  
• International graduates who studied in their province.
  
• Entrepreneurs seeking to open businesses in Canada.
  
• Candidates applying from outside Canada.
  

Employers may also benefit, as provinces can keep more foreign workers to help ease labour shortages. With extra CRS points for arranged employment ending in 2025, the PNP becomes an even more valuable route for both employers and workers.

How provinces receive nominations

Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assigns nomination limits to provinces. These determine how many people each province can invite under its PNP.

The number of invitations is usually higher than final admissions. This accounts for delays or rejected applications. Provinces can now issue more invitations, meaning more newcomers could settle permanently in smaller communities.

Recovering from earlier cuts

In 2024, the government reduced PNP admissions by half, from 120,000 to 55,000. That decision forced many provinces to pause or restrict programs. Some only accepted applicants from certain sectors like healthcare, construction, and trades.

Now, with increased allocations for 2026 and 2027, most provinces are resuming or expanding their streams to welcome more newcomers again.

The importance of the PNP

Since 1998, the PNP has helped distribute economic growth beyond large cities. It is now the second most popular immigration route after Express Entry.

The program includes two pathways. Base streams operate independently of Express Entry, while enhanced streams link directly to it. Enhanced nominations add 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

With this latest boost, the PNP is set to play an even bigger role in shaping Canada’s future immigration success.