Top 10 Source Countries of Immigrants to Canada Ranked

The top source countries of immigrants to Canada in 2025 were India, the Philippines, Cameroon, China and Nigeria, according to IRCC permanent resident data by country of citizenship. India alone accounted for about one in four of the roughly 393,500 people who became permanent residents that year. Most of them arrived through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program or family sponsorship, and many were already living in Canada as students or workers.

The ranking changes from year to year. In 2015 the Philippines was the top source country, and Iran, Syria, the United States and the United Kingdom were all in the top 10. Today African and South Asian countries hold more of the list, and in the first half of 2026 Iranian applicants returned to the top 10 in sixth place.

Top 10 Source Countries of Canada Permanent Residents in 2025

This table ranks countries by the number of their citizens who became Canadian permanent residents in the 2025 calendar year.

2025 Ranking by Country of Citizenship

Together, these 10 countries supplied close to 60% of all new permanent residents in 2025.

How IRCC Counts Immigrants by Source Country

IRCC counts each person by country of citizenship, not by country of birth or residence. A Pakistani engineer living in Dubai is counted under Pakistan, not the United Arab Emirates. The figures also include people who were already in Canada: in 2025, about 48% of new permanent residents previously held a work or study permit. Spouses and partners approved through spousal sponsorship are counted under their own citizenship as well.

Ten-Year Shift in Canada Immigration by Country

Between 2015 and 2025, India moved from second place to a wide lead, while the Philippines dropped to second. The United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Syria and Iran left the top 10, and Cameroon, Nigeria and Eritrea joined it. Cameroon's rise is linked to Canada's push for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.

Top 10 Countries and the PR Pathways Their Citizens Use

Each source country reaches Canada through a different mix of economic, family and humanitarian programs. Here is how the 2025 top 10 compare.

1. India

India has been Canada's largest source of permanent residents for most of the past decade. Indian applicants rank high in Express Entry thanks to strong English scores and degrees in IT, engineering and healthcare. A large share are former international students who gained work experience and qualified through the Canadian Experience Class. Read more about immigrating to Canada from India.

2. Philippines

Filipino newcomers are strongly represented in healthcare, caregiving and service jobs. Many first come on employer-specific work permits and later move to permanent residence through provincial streams, caregiver pathways or family sponsorship. See the main routes for immigrating to Canada from the Philippines.

3. Cameroon

Cameroon jumped from outside the top 10 in 2015 to third place in 2025. Being bilingual in French and English gives Cameroonian candidates an edge in French-language Express Entry draws and Francophone community pilots.

4. China

Chinese permanent residents often start as international students. After graduating, many work in Canada and apply through Express Entry or a provincial graduate stream. The tighter cap on new study permits may slow this pipeline over the next few years.

5. Nigeria

Nigerian applicants combine English proficiency with high education levels, which scores well in the Comprehensive Ranking System. Study-to-PR transitions and federal skilled worker profiles are the most common routes. Learn more about immigrating to Canada from Nigeria.

6. Eritrea

Most Eritrean newcomers arrive through refugee resettlement, including private sponsorship by community groups, and later sponsor close family members.

7. France

French citizens benefit from Francophone mobility work permits and French-language Express Entry draws. Many settle in Quebec through its own selection programs, while others choose Francophone communities in New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba.

8. Pakistan

Pakistani applicants use skilled worker programs, provincial nominee streams and family sponsorship. Admissions held steadier than most countries in early 2026. Compare the options for immigrating to Canada from Pakistan.

9. Ukraine

Ukrainians who came on temporary emergency measures after 2022 are now moving to permanent residence, including through a family-based public policy and economic programs. See the pathways for immigrating to Canada from Ukraine.

10. Afghanistan

Afghan admissions come mainly from humanitarian resettlement commitments made after 2021. Numbers are falling as those commitments wind down.

Canada PR Admissions by Country in 2026 So Far

Preliminary IRCC data for January to August 2026 shows the same leaders, with a few moves inside the ranking.

Nigeria Passes China for Third Place

From January to August 2026, Canada admitted about 263,000 new permanent residents, and India accounted for roughly 61,400 of them. Nigeria moved ahead of China into third place, and Iran, Pakistan and Ukraine all ranked between sixth and eighth.

India's Share Continues to Shrink

India's share of new permanent residents fell from about 30% in 2023 to 26% in 2024, 25% in 2025 and about 23% in 2026 so far. Lower study permit approvals and fewer all-program Express Entry draws are the main reasons, since both feed the study-to-PR pipeline that Indian applicants rely on most.

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026 to 2028 for Every Source Country

The federal levels plan sets how many permanent residents Canada admits each year, which shapes the ranking more than any single country's demand.

380,000 Permanent Residents a Year Through 2028

Under the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan, permanent resident admissions are held at 380,000 a year, within a range of 350,000 to 420,000. Economic immigration reaches about 64% of admissions by 2027. New study permit arrivals are capped at 155,000 in 2026, which reduces the number of future study-to-PR applicants from every country.

Francophone Targets Favour French-Speaking Source Countries

The plan raises French-speaking admissions outside Quebec to 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028, with a goal of 12% by 2029. This explains the strong showing of Cameroon, France and North African countries such as Algeria and Morocco.

Why Immigrants From the Top Source Countries Choose Canada

Demand from these countries stays high for reasons that go beyond any one year's numbers.

Express Entry and PNP Selection Do Not Depend on Nationality

Your country of citizenship does not change your Comprehensive Ranking System score. Express Entry ranks candidates on age, education, language and work experience, and a provincial nomination adds 600 points. This merit-based approach means a well-qualified applicant from any country has the same chance as one from India or the Philippines.

Established Communities and Family Reunification

Large diaspora communities in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal help newcomers find jobs, housing and support. Once settled, permanent residents and citizens can sponsor spouses, children and, in some cases, parents, which keeps the same countries near the top year after year. IRCC publishes the monthly figures behind this ranking in its permanent residents open data set.

Stability, Public Services and a Path to Citizenship

Political stability, public healthcare, free public schooling and a clear path to citizenship after three years of physical presence in five remain strong draws, especially for applicants from countries facing economic or political pressure.

Not sure which pathway fits your profile, whatever your country of citizenship? Complete SEP Immigration's free assessment and our licensed team will review your options with you.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and immigration figures and programs change often. Data reflects IRCC permanent resident statistics and the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan as of November 2026; confirm current details on canada.ca.