India led Canada PR admissions by country from January to July 2026, with 53,285 of 222,625 new permanent residents, or 23.9%. Pakistan ranked seventh with 5,490, while citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) numbered just 5. The figures come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) open data dated July 31, 2026.
We pulled every number below from the IRCC table Permanent Residents: Monthly IRCC Updates on the Open Government Portal. IRCC rounds each figure to the nearest 5 and calls the data preliminary, so small totals may not add up exactly.
Which countries led Canada PR admissions by country in 2026?
India was far ahead of every other country in the first seven months of 2026. Its 53,285 admissions were more than three times the next country, the Philippines. Pakistan placed seventh, just behind Iran. Here are the top 10 by country of citizenship, January to July 2026:
- India: 53,285
- Philippines: 16,005
- China: 11,870
- Nigeria: 11,565
- Cameroon: 10,875
- Iran: 5,495
- Pakistan: 5,490
- Ukraine: 5,195
- France: 4,295
- Algeria: 4,165
For context, the full-year 2025 total was 393,780 new permanent residents. India had 98,830 of them, and Pakistan ranked eighth with 8,890.
How did India change in Canada PR admissions by country?
India’s numbers fell faster than Canada’s overall total. Adding the monthly figures for January to July, India dropped from 68,690 in 2025 to 53,285 in 2026, a fall of 22.4%. Over the same months, all countries combined fell only 9.7%, from 246,585 to 222,625 new permanent residents.
India’s share has slipped each year:
- 2024: 127,375 of 483,655, or 26.3%
- 2025: 98,830 of 393,780, or 25.1%
- January to July 2026: 53,285 of 222,625, or 23.9%
The pace picked up later in the year. India’s best month of 2026 so far was July, with 8,925 admissions, up from 6,450 in January.
What do the numbers show for Pakistani applicants?
Pakistan held steady in 2026 while most of the system shrank. Monthly figures for January to July add up to 5,495 in 2026, against 5,630 in 2025, a drop of only 2.4%. Admissions for Pakistani citizens also climbed through the year, from 485 in January to 1,090 in June.
The yearly totals for Pakistani citizens were 11,960 in 2024 and 8,890 in 2025. The published 2026 total to July is 5,490. That was 2.5% of all admissions, about the same share as 2024.
Why does the UAE barely appear in the data?
The table counts people by country of citizenship, not where they live. A Pakistani or Indian engineer working in Dubai is counted under Pakistan or India. Only 5 UAE citizens became permanent residents from January to July 2026, and 10 in all of 2025.
I cannot confirm how many UAE residents became permanent residents, because this IRCC table does not track country of residence. If you live in Dubai, read the line for your passport country, not the UAE line.
Is Canada on track for its 2026 permanent resident target?
Yes, roughly, based on the first seven months of data. The IRCC levels plan sets a 2026 target of 380,000 new permanent residents, within a range of 350,000 to 420,000. By July 31, IRCC had admitted 222,625, which is 58.6% of the target after seven months, or 58.3% of the year.
Here is the math: 222,625 divided by 380,000 is 0.586. Seven divided by 12 is 0.583. Monthly admissions also grew, from 24,220 in January to 40,335 in July.
Across all countries, the largest economic programs from January to July 2026 are below. IRCC does not publish one national total for each program, so we added up its rounded provincial rows. Treat these as close estimates:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 50,245
- Skilled Worker (federal and Quebec): about 32,275
- Canadian Experience Class: 30,525
The Skilled Worker line mixes two groups. About 15,680 of those people came through Quebec’s own skilled worker program. That leaves roughly 16,595 in the federal skilled worker programs (32,275 minus 15,680).
What should applicants from India, Pakistan or Dubai do with this?
Use it as background, not as a forecast. Your country does not change your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and invitations depend on your score and the round. Check where you stand with our CRS calculator, then compare it with the October 2026 Express Entry draws.
New rules also start soon. IRCC announced on October 16, 2026 that from November 3, 2026, high-wage job offers earn new CRS points. A job paying at least twice the median wage for the occupation earns 100 points. If your score is short, a provincial nomination adds 600 points, as the October 13 PNP draw showed with a cut-off of 772.
Our invitation to apply guide explains what happens once you are invited.
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the most new Canadian permanent residents in 2026?
India had the most. IRCC data shows 53,285 Indian citizens became permanent residents from January to July 2026, which is 23.9% of the 222,625 total.
How many Pakistanis got Canadian PR in 2026?
5,490 Pakistani citizens became Canadian permanent residents from January to July 2026, according to IRCC data. Pakistan ranked seventh by country of citizenship.
Does the IRCC data count people living in Dubai?
No, not by residence. The table counts country of citizenship, so a Dubai resident with an Indian or Pakistani passport is counted under India or Pakistan.
Is Canada on track to meet its 2026 immigration target?
Yes, roughly. IRCC admitted 222,625 permanent residents by July 31, 2026. That is 58.6% of the 380,000 target after seven months, which is 58.3% of the year.
Does my country affect my Express Entry score?
No. Your CRS score comes from factors like age, language, education and work experience, and draws invite by score and round, not by country.
Want a plan built on your real score, not the averages? Book Your Strategy Consultation. You can also follow official updates on the IRCC website.
