IRCC's October 20 data: 216,600 new permanent residents through August, 163,400 still needed by December, and new student and worker arrivals far below 2024.
IRCC's latest statistics, covering data to August 31, 2026, show two things at once: Canada is 163,400 admissions short of its 380,000 permanent resident target with four months left, and the flow of new students and workers arriving is a fraction of what it was in 2024. IRCC says the figures are approximate and rounded.
Through August, IRCC admitted 216,600 permanent residents under the Immigration Levels Plan, which is about 57% of the 380,000 target. In August alone it admitted 27,715, down from 32,645 in July (the best month of 2026 so far).
| Category | Admitted Jan–Aug | 2026 target | Share of target |
|---|
| Economic | 127,100 | 239,800 | ~53% |
| Family | 59,100 | 84,000 | ~70% |
| Refugees and protected persons | 25,500 | 49,300 | ~52% |
| Humanitarian and compassionate, other | 4,900 | 6,900 | ~71% |
| Total | 216,600 | 380,000 | ~57% |
Eight months is two-thirds of the year, so economic-class admissions at roughly 53% are the furthest behind. Family class is the only large category running ahead of the calendar.
Two one-time initiatives sit on top of those targets: 15,100 of 20,000 in-Canada workers and 31,300 of 46,000 protected persons have been admitted. French-speaking admissions outside Quebec stand at 16,500 against a goal of 30,150.
Hitting 380,000 means about 163,400 more admissions from September to December, or roughly 40,850 a month. The average so far is 27,075 a month, and the best month was 32,645. Even the 350,000 lower end of the range needs about 33,350 a month, which is above anything IRCC has done this year.
That is a big gap, and we would not assume it closes. Our mid-year look at admissions showed the same pattern, and the levels plan is a target, not a guarantee.
IRCC's students and workers page shows new arrivals from January to August:
| Group | Jan–Aug 2026 | Same period 2024 | Change | 2026 target |
|---|
| New students | 65,240 | ~221,680 | −71% | 155,000 |
| New workers | 130,095 | ~300,550 | −57% | 230,000 |
Combined, that is about 326,900 fewer new arrivals than in 2024, a drop of roughly 63%. On August 31, Canada had 602,115 study permit holders. The 2024 figure was not on the page we checked, so we are not quoting a change for that total, though the drop in new arrivals tells you which way it is moving.
Work permits tell a different story: 1,550,215 people held a work permit only on August 31, made up of 251,865 temporary foreign workers and 1,298,350 under the International Mobility Program. Fewer people are arriving, but those already here are staying and working.
If you're in the Express Entry pool. IRCC has an admissions gap to close and has been inviting candidates steadily. Draws are paused from November 3 while the new high-wage points and LMIA changes take effect, so use that window to check your score with the CRS Calculator, and follow the Draw Tracker for when rounds resume. Our latest draw write-up has the most recent cutoff.
If you have an application in process. A shortfall this size means IRCC has an incentive to finalize files. It does not mean your file will move faster, so keep checking processing times rather than guessing.
If you're a prospective international student. New arrivals are far below 2024, and the study permit cap is a big reason. Plan on a competitive, capped system, and look at provincial nominee options early if PR is your goal.
Tip
If you hold a work permit and want PR, the in-Canada workers initiative is running at 75% of its 20,000 target. Check whether you qualify and its eligibility details on IRCC's site directly, because intake rules for one-time programs can change without much notice.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.