IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan prioritizes in-Canada applicants. The government has allocated 40% of permanent admission spaces in 2025. 

Moreover, according to IRCC’s new Immigration Levels Plan, nearly half of all planned immigration spaces for new permanent residents in the coming year will be allocated to a new Express Entry priority group, known as the In-Canada focus category. 

In 2025, this will equate to a planned 82,980 dedicated admissions spaces for this category. 

Who Is Eligible For Selection Through The In-Canada Focus Category? 

According to the newest Immigration Levels Plan, the In-Canada Focus category encompasses applicants in: 

• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program 
• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Regional Immigration Pathways 

These applicants might be given priority preference to obtain invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. 

Will This Special Category Remain As Part Of Canada’s Express Entry System? 

IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan prioritizes in-Canada applicants. While it can be difficult to say how long this special category will be a fixture of the Express Entry system, IRCC has published its plans for the In-Canada Focus category for the next three years. 

Between 2025 and 2027, the immigration department hopes to welcome the following numbers of immigrants through the In-Canada Focus category: 

2025

2026

2027

Note: Immigration levels set for 2026 and 2027 are notional targets. IRCC revises and confirms next year’s target on or before November 1 every year. 

Why Has IRCC Committed To Creating This Special Category?

IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan prioritizes in-Canada applicants. Canada’s immigration system has undergone multiple changes this year as the federal government looks to balance immigration levels with domestic pressures facing Canadians. 

As a result of these procedures, IRCC has committed to reducing the number of Non-Permanent Residents in Canada—including work and study permit holders—from the current proportion of 7% to 5% of Canada’s total population by 2026. One key mechanism identified by IRCC in achieving this target is facilitating the transition of NPRs already in Canada to PR. 

The Immigration Minister states that the authorities will have more domestic draws as part of their efforts to help temporary residents transition to permanent residency. They will ask provinces and territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program to do the same with their allocations. 

Prior to the declaration of the In-Canada Focus category, IRCC had already begun prioritizing applicants who would fit into this group to be issued ITAs, as evidenced by the department’s emphasis on CEC and PNP draws through the Express Entry system from July of this year onwards. 

Marc Miller signaled his willingness to prioritize the invitation of ‘domestic’ applicants for PR through the federal immigration system. 

Miller’s rationale for doing so was to meet required annual immigration targets while mitigating the impact of affordability and housing stock pressures. 

By facilitating the transition of newcomers already in Canada from temporary to permanent residence, the Minister hopes to pick qualified immigration applicants who can continue to benefit Canada’s economy and labor force without simultaneously adding to domestic pressures that might arise from adding new people to the nation’s population.     

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490. You can also drop us an email at [email protected].