Canada PR Trends 2026: Countries With Rising Grants

Canada Grants More Permanent Residence to These Countries in 2026 Despite Overall Decline

Canada’s permanent residence (PR) admissions declined during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Despite this overall decrease, several countries recorded notable increases in PR grants. Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan and Syria saw higher numbers, while Indian citizens experienced the largest decline.

These contrasting figures highlight how Canada’s immigration patterns are changing across different nationalities. But do rising admission numbers indicate better opportunities for people hoping to settle in Canada? The answer depends on individual eligibility, immigration pathways and current selection criteria.

Canada’s PR Numbers in 2026

Canada granted permanent residence to 222,625 people between January and July 2026, compared with 246,580 during the same period in 2025. This represents a reduction of 23,955 people, or approximately 9.7%.

Canada’s 2026 immigration plan sets a target of 380,000 permanent residents. Separate one time initiatives operate outside that annual target, so the overall figures should be interpreted alongside the government’s different admission measures.

The country of citizenship data shows that the decline was uneven. Some nationalities recorded increases despite the lower national total, while others experienced substantial reductions.

An important distinction matters here. These figures count people granted permanent resident status by their recorded country of citizenship. They do not necessarily count people who physically moved to Canada from that country during the period. Some applicants may already have been living in Canada on temporary status.

Read More: Canada Express Entry Eligibility and Application Guide to understand how the system works.

Countries Recording the Largest Increases

Several countries recorded higher numbers of permanent resident grants between January and July 2026. Turkey had the largest increase in absolute numbers, while Uganda recorded one of the sharpest percentage gains.

Turkey Recorded the Largest Increase

Turkey’s PR grants increased from 1,050 to 2,995, a rise of 1,945 people or approximately 185.2%. This was the largest absolute increase among the countries listed in the comparison.

The rise is notable because the number nearly tripled within the same seven month period across the two years. Even so, the figures alone do not establish which immigration programmes produced the increase.

Iran and Nigeria Maintained Strong Numbers

Iran recorded 5,495 PR grants in January to July 2026, up from 4,175 in 2025. This represents an increase of 31.6%.

• Nigeria also continued to record high numbers. Its total rose from 10,450 to 11,565, an increase of 10.7%. It moved from fifth place to fourth among countries of citizenship by PR grants in the periods compared.
• Nigeria’s performance is especially notable because the increase occurred while Canada’s overall PR total was falling. Its figures show that a national decline does not necessarily mean every nationality will experience fewer grants.

Uganda and Other Countries Recorded Rapid Growth

Uganda’s PR grants increased from 395 to 1,100, a rise of approximately 178.5%. Sudan, Syria and Iraq also recorded increases exceeding 40%. Mexico’s total reached 4,140, while Sri Lanka’s rose to 2,500. Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya and Burundi also recorded increases during the same comparison.

These results show that Canada’s PR intake changed in different ways across nationalities. Still, an increase in grants should not be treated as proof that applicants from a particular country receive preferential treatment under every immigration programme.

Why Are Some Countries Recording More PR Grants

The figures reveal changes in the composition of Canada’s permanent resident intake, but they do not explain every reason behind those changes. Permanent residence can be granted through different routes, including economic immigration, provincial nomination, family sponsorship and humanitarian programmes. Each route has its own eligibility criteria and selection process. Several factors can influence country-level totals:

• Existing Temporary Residents: People already living in Canada on valid temporary status may transition to permanent residence through an eligible programme.
• Economic Immigration Selection: Applicants can qualify through skilled worker programmes, provincial nomination or other economic pathways.
• Family Sponsorship: Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members.
• Humanitarian Pathways: Refugee and other humanitarian programmes also contribute to permanent resident admissions.
• Programme Capacity and Application Processing: Changes in the number of applications approved during a reporting period can affect annual comparisons.

The available country figures do not identify the precise reason for each increase. It would be inaccurate to attribute Turkey’s growth, for example, to a particular immigration stream without programme-specific data.

Countries Experiencing the Biggest Declines

Several nationalities recorded fewer permanent resident grants in 2026 than in the same months of 2025. India recorded the largest reduction, followed by France and Eritrea.

France recorded a 41.8% decline, while Eritrea’s total fell by 36.9%. Tunisia and Morocco also experienced substantial reductions. China’s PR grants dropped by 12%, from 13,490 to 11,870. Despite the reduction, Chinese citizens remained among the largest groups receiving permanent residence.

The Philippines recorded a much smaller decrease of 2%, from 16,325 to 16,005. This difference becomes important when examining each country’s share of Canada’s total intake. The figures describe changes in approvals, not a direct measure of how difficult immigration has become for every applicant from these countries.

The guide to Canadian provinces and PR pathways can also help you compare available options.

India’s Share of Canada’s PR Intake

India remained Canada’s largest country of citizenship for new permanent residents during the first seven months of 2026. Yet the number of Indian citizens granted PR fell by 15,405 compared with the same period in 2025.

This reduction accounted for approximately 64.3% of Canada’s total decline of 23,955 permanent residents.India’s share of all PR grants also fell from approximately 27.9% in January to July 2025 to 23.9% in the corresponding period of 2026.

These numbers matter for Indian citizens planning their next steps, but they do not establish that Canada has introduced a country-specific restriction on Indian applicants. The data does not identify which immigration programmes caused the decline.

Your eligibility still depends on the programme you apply under, your qualifications, work experience, language ability and other relevant criteria. A lower national total does not automatically mean that your individual application will be refused.

What These Trends Mean for Future Applicants

Country-level statistics can help you understand changes in immigration admissions. They cannot tell you whether you qualify for permanent residence or predict when you will receive an invitation. If Canada PR is your goal, focus on the factors that directly affect your application.

• Review the eligibility criteria for Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.
• Check whether your occupation and work experience meet the requirements of a suitable pathway.
• Assess your language test results and educational qualifications.
• Compare provincial options based on their current streams and your eligibility.
• Keep your supporting documents accurate and consistent.

For a closer look at candidate rankings and invitation patterns, read the related article on October 2026 Express Entry predictions and CRS trends.

Disclaimer! This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies, eligibility requirements and PR figures may change. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer to understand your individual circumstances and available options.

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