Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: What It Means for H&C Applicants
Updated: Oct 26
The short answer: Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets a total permanent resident target of 380,000 in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028. Within it, the humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) target is 1,100 admissions in 2026 and 1,000 in each of 2027 and 2028. These are targets for people admitted, not limits on who may apply, and they do not tell you whether an individual application will succeed.
This article replaces an earlier version written about the 2025-2027 plan. Last reviewed: October 2026.
What is the Immigration Levels Plan?
Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tables an Immigration Levels Plan that sets targets for how many new permanent residents Canada aims to admit across immigration categories. The targets guide planning and processing. They are not individual eligibility rules.
The numbers for H&C in the 2026-2028 plan
IRCC's figures, as presented to the House of Commons immigration committee on December 4, 2025:
Total permanent resident target: 380,000 in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028.
H&C line: 1,100 in 2026 and 1,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Combined "H&C and Other" line: 6,900 in 2026 and 5,000 in 2027 and 2028. The "Other" part covers responses to specific situations such as Ukraine, Sudan and Hong Kong.
Protected persons in Canada and dependants abroad: 20,000 in each year.
IRCC says the H&C line also covers public policy admissions and the permit holder class. The figures above are targets with ranges around them. The H&C range is 1,000 to 3,000 in 2026 and 700 to 2,900 in 2027 and 2028.
What the targets do and do not mean
A target counts people admitted in a year. It is not the number of applications IRCC will accept or refuse.
A target does not change the legal test. Under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), each request is considered on its own facts, with the best interests of any directly affected child taken into account.
A small target helps explain why waits are long. IRCC's processing-time tool has shown estimates of more than 10 years for H&C in 2026. Check IRCC's current processing times and read our guide to H&C processing time.
IRCC describes the 2027 and 2028 figures as notional, to be confirmed or adjusted each year, and a new plan is due by November 1, 2026. Check the current plan before relying on any figure.
If you are thinking about an H&C application
H&C is an exceptional measure for people in Canada who need an exemption and are not eligible under another in-Canada class. Factors can include establishment in Canada, ties to Canada, the best interests of children, health and conditions in the home country. See our complete H&C guide and our H&C page.
Every H&C situation is different. E-Pathway Immigration can help you assess whether H&C considerations may be relevant, identify the evidence and questions that need attention, and understand your options. A decision remains with IRCC.
More H&C guides: H&C guide index
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources: IRCC: 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, permanent resident targets (CIMM, December 4, 2025) · IRPA s. 25
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified representative for advice about your situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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