Canada Increases PNP Targets for 2026–2028: What It Means for Skilled Workers and Students

The new immigration levels plan, announced by Canada on November 4, 2025, brings exciting news for skilled workers and provinces. According to the latest update, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is set to rebound after a brief slowdown, with higher PNP allocations expected in the coming years. PNP admissions are expected to increase from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026, remaining steady at 92,500 through 2028. This high increase of 66.36% marks a return to the high admissions through the PNP immigration pathway to Canada seen in the years of 2023 and 2024. In the upcoming years, Canada PNP targets 2026–2028 are expected to nearly match their record proportions from 2023 and 2024, falling just 1–1.5% short of those peaks. Let's take a look at the data.

Data showing the last three years' PNP share

Data projection after 2024

What’s Behind the Comeback

The PNP has long been a key pathway in Canada’s economic immigration strategy, giving the provinces the chance to choose applicants who best meet their labour requirements. The years 2023 and 2024 saw more than 105,000 PNP nominations across the country, but in 2025, with new policies in place, the number scaled down to 55,000. After a short decline, the PNP nominations are making a strong rebound. The 2026-2028 plan is becoming a central pathway in Canada’s immigration strategy. This reinforces the importance of PNP in identifying skilled workers, meeting labour market demands, and supporting newcomers to settle easily and successfully in Canada. IRCC is reaffirming the PNP's role as the driving force behind regional immigration, striking a balance between national economic goals, infrastructure considerations, and local retention.

PNP allocations by province Canada (2026-2028)

Ontario will get the largest PNP allocation, increasing from 10,750 in 2025 to 17,872 in 2026, and18,087 in 2027 and 2028. British Columbia follows, rising from 4,000 to 6,654 in 2026, to 6,727 in 2027 and 2028, while Alberta’s quota grows from 4,971 to 8,266 in 2026 and to 8,358 in 2027 and 2028. Manitoba and Saskatchewan also show a substantial Increase, with quotas climbing from 4,750 and 3,625 in 2025 to 7,904 and 6,033 in 2026, and then to 8,001 and 6,096 in 2028.

In Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick’s quota increases from 2,750 in 2025 to 4,573 in 2026, and then to 4,696 in 2027 and 2028, while Nova Scotia's rises from 3,150 in 2025 to 5,236 in 2026 and then to 5,299 in the years 2027 and 2028. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador experience similar upward trends, reaching from 1,025 and 1,525 in 2025 to 1,704 and 2,537 in 2026 and 1,724 and 2,565, respectively, in 2027 and 2028. The northern territories—Yukon and the Northwest Territories—experience smaller but proportional increases, with Yukon moving from 215 in 2025 to 357 in 2026, 362 in 2027, and 362 in 2028, and the Northwest Territories from 150 in 2025 to 249 in 2026, 253 in 2027 and 2028.

Opportunities for Skilled Workers and International Students

With the new Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2028, the number of candidates nominated by provinces through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Canada is expected to increase, leading to more invitations for eligible applicants. Those already living in Canada, especially international graduates and temporary foreign workers with Canadian education, work experience, or a valid job offer, are given preference. Thus, the provincial draws will be more, nomination processing will be quicker, workforce intake will be higher for in-demand occupations, and the regional and pilot programs will be expanded.

The new Immigration Levels Plan, why?

PNP, which began in the late 1990s with a small number of nominees, is now among the most significant immigration pathways, outpacing even federal programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The new plan will again reinforce its central role after years of rapid policy shifts.

• Population growth balance against the labour demands
• Decrease the country’s reliance on temporary foreign workers
• By expanding permanent entries through the PNP, Canada aims to boosts local economies and enable communities to manage essential services, such as healthcare, education, and housing, more effectively.
• Giving more power back to provinces after the 2025 reduction allows better regional representation and maintains provincial autonomy, while sustaining Canada’s high immigration targets.

Sectors such as skilled trades, construction, technology, early childhood education, and healthcare will see the most significant advantages, since these fields consistently appear on provincial priority occupation lists across Canada.

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Read to know: How Much Money Do I Need to Study in Canada as an International Student?

FAQs

1. Which provinces will see rapid growth in PNP allocation?

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador, collectively known as the Atlantic provinces, are expected to lead in growth. The federal government continues to prioritize boosting its immigration numbers, but the actual growth is based on the province's demand.

2. What does the Increase in PNP targets for 2026–2028 mean for applicants, and which provinces are the easiest for immigrants to settle in?

It reflects Canada's focus on long-term, permanent immigration. An increase in PNP targets equates to more nominations, continued draws, and eligibility for a wider range of job opportunities. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta are provinces where immigrants can settle easily due to their comprehensive settlement services, accessibility, and provincial nomination opportunities in Canada.

3. Which provinces can I expect to have the highest PNP allocation in 2026?

According to projections, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are expected to have the highest PNP allocation in 2026, accounting for approximately 70% of the total PNP nominations. The IRCC will confirm the final allocations.

4. In 2026, which province will lead the PNP nomination?

According to the projections, Ontario province is to lead provincial allocations with around 17,872 nominations.

5. In what ways does the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Canada differ from Express Entry under Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan?

According to the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is expected to play a role nearly as significant as federal Express Entry in bringing new permanent residents to the country. PNP allows provinces and territories to directly choose candidates who match their unique labour market and community needs. Although Express Entry will continue to be the primary federal system for selecting skilled immigrants, Express Entry focuses on attracting high-scoring applicants. In contrast, PNP ensures that provinces can fill the specific skill gaps.

6. Does a PNP nomination guarantee permanent residency?

While PNP nomination does not assure you of a PR, it improves the likelihood if the candidate fulfills federal eligibility, admissibility, and documentation requirements of Canada permanent residency pathways before PR can be granted.

7. When can I expect to get the allocations for 2026?

After discussions between IRCC and provincial or territorial governments, the allocations are announced at the beginning of the year by each province.