The Canadian federal government has allocated 40% of the permanent residency slots for 2025 to candidates who are currently living in Canada. According to the latest Immigration Levels Plan from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), nearly half of the expected admission spaces for new permanent residents next year will be set aside for a new priority group within Express Entry, known as the In-Canada Focus category. This means that approximately 82,980 admission spaces will be specifically designated for this category in 2025.
Who qualifies for selection under the In-Canada Focus category?
As per the latest Immigration Levels Plan, the In-Canada Focus category includes candidates from:
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Various regional immigration pathways
Individuals in these programs with eligible Express Entry profiles at the time of an immigration draw may be given preference for receiving invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence (PR).
Will the In-Canada Focus Category Continue in Canada’s Express Entry System?
While it is uncertain how long the In-Canada Focus category will remain a part of the Express Entry system, IRCC has outlined its plans for this special group for the next three years. Between 2025 and 2027, the immigration department aims to admit the following numbers of immigrants under the In-Canada Focus category: In 2025, the target is 82,980, with a range between 39,000 and 89,000; in 2026, the target is 75,380, with a range from 33,000 to 82,000; and in 2027, the target is 70,930, with a range between 66,000 and 76,000.
Reasons Behind IRCC’s Commitment to the In-Canada Focus Category
Canada’s immigration system has experienced numerous changes this year as the federal government aims to balance immigration levels with domestic challenges faced by Canadians. In response, IRCC has committed to reducing the proportion of Non-permanent Residents (NPRs) in Canada—including work and study permit holders—from the current 7% to 5% of the total population by 2026. A primary strategy for achieving this target involves facilitating the transition of NPRs already in Canada to permanent residency.
“We will increase domestic draws and encourage provinces and territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program to do the same as part of our efforts to transition temporary residents to permanent status,” stated Immigration Minister Marc Miller on March 21, 2024.
Before announcing the In-Canada Focus category, IRCC had already begun prioritizing candidates aligned with this group for ITAs. Moreover, this shift was evident through the department’s emphasis on CEC and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws within the Express Entry system starting in July of this year. As early as March, Minister Miller expressed a commitment to prioritizing the invitation of “domestic” candidates for permanent residency through the federal immigration system.
Miller’s approach aimed to fulfill annual immigration targets while alleviating affordability and housing pressures. By transitioning newcomers already residing in Canada from temporary to permanent residency, the Minister seeks to select qualified candidates who can contribute to the economy and labor market without exacerbating the challenges associated with an increasing population.