Immigration Plan 2026-2028: What Changes for Brazilians?

Look, when the Canadian government released the Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028, I was in the middle of my workday at the startup and I dropped everything to read it. Because this affects me directly. I’m a Brazilian living in Vancouver on a work permit, chasing permanent residence. Every change in this plan moves MY future, you know?

And I can tell you: this is the most significant change in Canadian immigration policy in years. If you’re Brazilian and planning your immigration, you need to understand what’s happening, because the landscape shifted.

After years of aggressive growth in immigration targets, Canada is tightening its belt. Fewer temporary visas, more focus on skilled economic immigration, and a clear message: the country wants immigrants, but with increasingly selective criteria. Let’s break all of this down. I’ll give you my real perspective as someone navigating these changes in real time.

What are the numbers in the Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028?

The heart of the plan is the admission targets for permanent residents (PR) over the next three years:

The 380,000 figure for 2026 may look high in absolute terms, but it represents a considerable reduction compared to recent peaks, when Canada admitted more than 470,000 PRs in a single year.

The most important data point, though, is the composition of those admissions: 64% will come through economic immigration programs. That means Canada is clearly prioritizing skilled workers, professionals in in-demand fields, and people who can contribute to the economy right away. Family reunification and refugee categories still exist, but the economic slice has never been this dominant.

And you know what that means for us Brazilians? That if you have qualifications, experience, and you’re willing to invest in the process, Canada WANTS you. They’re just being more selective about who gets in, and honestly, for anyone who prepares, that’s good.

Why were temporary visas cut in 2026?

If the PR numbers represent a stabilization, the cuts to temporary visas are a revolution. Here’s what’s happening:

These numbers are striking. Canada is cutting study visas by almost half and work permits by more than a third. It’s the largest contraction of temporary visas in the country’s recent history.

When I read it, I’ll admit it: my heart sank. I came to Canada on a study permit in 2024, and I know thousands of Brazilians are planning the same path. This reduction directly affects anyone getting ready.

But take a breath, because I’m past the initial shock and now I see it more clearly. Come with me.

Why these reductions?

Three factors converged to create this shift:

1. Housing crisis. Canada simply doesn’t have enough housing. The vacancy rate in cities like Toronto and Vancouver is at historic lows, and the massive influx of temporary residents made the problem worse. The government needed to ease the pressure on the real estate market. Man, I live in Vancouver and I pay CAD 1,500 in rent, and that’s luck, because the market is between CAD 2,300 and CAD 2,500. Imagine the desperation of someone arriving now.

2. Overloaded public services. Health care, public transit, and education are feeling the weight of rapid population growth. Provinces like Ontario and British Columbia pushed Ottawa for tighter limits.

3. Political pressure. Immigration became a central topic in Canadian public debate. Polls show that most Canadians support immigration in principle, but want more control over the volumes. The government responded.

The bridge: temporary to permanent

In May 2026, an important detail: the plan includes 33,000 conversions of temporary workers to permanent residents across 2026-2027 (IRCC Supplementary Information 2026-2028, confirmed). That means Canada recognizes the value of those already in the country working, and wants to create a more structured path from temporary to permanent.

That’s the news that gives me hope, man. I’m exactly that profile. I came as a student, now I’m working, and I want to make the transition to PR. The government is saying: “we value the people already here contributing.” And that’s huge.

What does Canada want from immigrants in 2026?

The plan makes it clear which professional profiles are prioritized. Canada is running categorized Express Entry rounds focused on specific sectors:

• Healthcare professionals. Nurses, doctors, technicians. The demand is enormous, especially outside the major urban centres.
• STEM professionals. Software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, mechanical and electrical engineers.
• Skilled trades. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders. Canada has a chronic deficit in these fields.
• Francophone immigrants. French speakers outside Quebec are extremely valued to maintain federal bilingualism.
• Agriculture and agri-food workers. Food processing, farming, livestock.
• Transport sector. Truck drivers, logistics operators, pilots.

The categorized Express Entry rounds changed the game. Before, the general CRS dominated. Now, if you fit one of these categories, you can get an ITA with a significantly lower score, sometimes 100 points below the general cutoff.

And look, I fit two of these categories: STEM (I work with AI) and Francophone (I’m investing heavily in French). It’s not a coincidence, it’s strategy. When I saw these priorities, I built my whole plan around them.

How does the plan impact Brazilians specifically?

Now, what does all of this mean specifically for us Brazilians? Let’s look at the data:

• In 2024, 5,985 Brazilians received permanent residence in Canada, steady growth. As of May 2026, Brazil holds its position among the main source countries of new PRs via Express Entry (IRCC Annual Report 2024).
• Brazil is the 2nd largest source of language school students in Canada, with 10,685 students registered. This group is directly affected by the 49% cut to study permits.
• Brazilians are the fastest-growing group in tech hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

What changes in practice

Express Entry remains the main path. Most Brazilians who get PR do it through Express Entry, and that won’t change. What changes is the level of competition: with fewer temporary spots, more people will compete directly for PR from the start.

Provincial programs (PNP) become even more important. With increased competition in the federal Express Entry, provincial programs become an increasingly strategic alternative. Provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic Provinces are actively recruiting and have less competitive processes than the federal ones.

The study pathway gets harder, but it doesn’t close. The 49% reduction in study permits doesn’t mean the study permit route is over. It means institutions and programs need to be chosen more carefully. Public colleges with PGWP eligibility remain a valid route, but language schools, where Brazil dominates, are the most affected. I came through that path and it worked, but if I were planning today, I’d be even more careful about the program choice.

Brazilians in tech are well positioned. If you work in software development, data science, AI, or any STEM field, Canada is literally asking for you in the categorized rounds. That’s a real advantage. I work at an AI startup and I see day to day how hot the market is for tech. After more than a year in retail on minimum wage (with an initial month in demolition at CAD 23/hour before that), getting into tech changed everything.

What this means in practice

Translating all of this into practical consequences for anyone planning to immigrate:

More competition for fewer spots. The cutoff CRS tends to rise for the general rounds. If a score of 490 used to put you in a competitive position, the scenario now points to cutoffs closer to 500-520 in the general rounds. Every point counts more than ever.

The study pathway requires more strategy. It’s no longer viable to come for a 6-month language school hoping to “see what happens.” Anyone choosing the study route needs to plan: pick a program at a public college, preferably in an in-demand field, with a guaranteed PGWP. See our study permit guide to understand the details.

Canadian work experience is worth gold. With the 33,000 temp-to-permanent conversions and the value placed on Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry, having experience in Canada is the strongest edge you can have. If you’re already here on a work permit, take advantage and build your case. Understand how the LMIA and work permit work.

French becomes a powerful differentiator. And man, I need to say this with all the emphasis I can muster: French is the wild card of Canadian immigration. The federal government has explicit Francophone immigration targets. Speaking French can add up to 50 points on the CRS and qualify you for exclusive categorized rounds. For Brazilians, who usually focus only on English, investing in French can be the turning point.

I started studying French from scratch after arriving in Canada, and today it’s the centerpiece of my Express Entry strategy via Francophone Mobility. If I could shout one piece of advice to every Brazilian planning to immigrate, it would be: STUDY FRENCH. Seriously. The return on investment is absurd.

Provincial programs are the hidden trump card. Many Brazilians don’t even consider PNPs, but they can be the fastest route to PR. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to the CRS, it’s practically a guaranteed ITA. Each province has its own criteria and many are actively looking for profiles common among Brazilians.

How to prepare in 2026

If you’re reading this and thinking “okay, now what?”, all right, here’s my action checklist. It’s not theory, it’s what I did myself and am still doing:

1. Invest in the language tests now. Don’t wait. A CLB 9+ in English makes a huge difference in the CRS. If you have time, aim for CLB 10 or higher. Every extra point in IELTS or CELPIP has a direct impact on your score. I took CELPIP and I recommend it; the computer format made me more comfortable than IELTS.

2. Seriously consider learning French. I know, it sounds like one more thing to add to the list. But the return on investment of a TEF/TCF B2 in French is absurd in terms of CRS points and access to exclusive rounds. Even an intermediate level already makes a difference. I’m on this journey now and I can tell you: for a Brazilian, French isn’t as hard as it seems. We already have the advantage of the Romance languages.

3. Research the provincial programs. Don’t get obsessed only with the federal Express Entry. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, they all have PNPs with accessible criteria for many Brazilian profiles. Spend time understanding which province best fits your profile. Also check out the opportunities in the Canadian job market for Brazilians.

4. Build Canadian experience if you can. If you have the chance to work in Canada, even temporarily, take it. Canadian experience is increasingly valued and can be the deciding factor between getting an ITA or not. I know that sending 3,000 to 5,000 resumes like I did isn’t for everyone, but every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.” Don’t give up.

5. Plan strategically, don’t rush. The worst thing you can do is make rushed decisions out of fear of “closing the door.” Canada isn’t closing doors, it’s reorganizing who comes through each one. A well-structured plan, with a realistic timeline and investment in the right spots, will put you in a far better position than an impulsive decision.

When Clara and I decided to come to Canada, we planned for months. We researched colleges, calculated costs, studied immigration programs. Even with 3 visa refusals before, we didn’t give up, we adjusted the strategy. And it worked.

Conclusion

The Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028 marks the start of a new era in Canadian immigration policy. Less volume, more selectivity. Fewer temporary residents, more qualified permanent ones. Less generalism, more focus on strategic sectors.

For Brazilians, this means preparation has never been more important. The era of “I’ll go to Canada and see what happens” is definitely behind us. But, and this is the crucial point, the doors stay open for those who prepare. Canada needs immigrants. The economy depends on it. The demographics demand it.

What changed is that Canada is now more selective about who gets in. And, honestly, for anyone willing to invest in the process, this can even be an advantage: less competition from unprepared candidates, more value placed on qualified profiles.

I’m here in Vancouver, working at my AI startup, studying French, building my Express Entry profile, and more confident every day that it’s going to work out. Not because it’s easy, but because I know I’m doing the work. And God has a plan for each of us.

Invest in your language, research your programs, understand your strengths and weaknesses in the CRS, and build a plan. Want to know where you stand in the ranking today? Use our CRS Calculator to estimate your score, and see the step by step of each path in the Immigration Timeline. The Canada of 2026-2028 wants immigrants, but it wants the right immigrants. Do everything you can to be one of them.

I got your back. Any questions, reach out. I’m here, living this journey in real time, and sharing everything I learn.

Got questions about the immigration plan or want to know which pathway is best for your profile? Follow MorarFora for up-to-date analysis on Canadian immigration.