The Canadian government has released its Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2022-2024.
Canada's immigration targets indicate that it aims to welcome about 432,000 new immigrants in 2022 rather than the 411,000 it had planned earlier.
Canada will aim for the following number of new immigrant arrivals over the next three years:
2022: 431,645 permanent residents
2023: 447,055 permanent residents
2024: 451,000 permanent residents
The target figures indicate that Canada will be focusing in high immigration targets— more than 400,000 new permanent residents in the next three years.
These targets have been set with a view to propel the economic growth of the country.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser while speaking on the immigration targets said, “This levels plan is a balance of needs for our country and our international obligations. It focuses on attracting skilled workers who will contribute to Canada’s economy and tackle the labor shortage, while recognizing the importance of family reunification, and helping the world’s most vulnerable populations through refugee resettlement. Our focus remains on supporting our economic resurgence through increased retention of newcomers in regions with real economic, labor and demographic challenges. I’m proud of what Canada has achieved thus far, and I want wait to see how newcomers will continue to make Canada a top destination of choice.”
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Immigration programs
Approximately 56% of new immigrants will arrive in 2022 through economic class channels such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, and the Temporary to Permanent Residence (TR2PR) stream, which was available in 2021.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects 83,500 arrivals through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2022. IRCC has decreased Express Entry admissions in half for this year, but it hopes to recover to normal levels by 2024, when it expects 111,5000 Express Entry immigrants to arrive.
The levels plan appears to indicate that IRCC is temporarily decreasing Express Entry admissions to make room for TR2PR admissions. Under the TR2PR stream, IRCC hopes to land 40,000 immigrants in 2022 and the final 32,000 immigrants in 2023.
Meanwhile, Express Entry draws are being held every two weeks, and IRCC continues to handle Express Entry applications.
Furthermore, the PNP is used by the majority of Canada's provinces and territories, and PNP invites have been ongoing since the Covid outbreak began.
In 2022, the family class will account for 24% of admissions targets, with the remaining 20% arriving through refugee and humanitarian programs. This is good news for those wishing to migrate to Canada.
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Meeting the target for 2022
The government has introduced a host of initiatives in order to reach its immigration objective of 411,000 candidates by 2022:
In order to recover visa application processing rates to pre-pandemic levels, the IRCC has virtually processed new application categories.
It has altered its concentration to delivering a variety of remote immigration services (E.g., online citizenship ceremonies).
Outside of Quebec, the Canadian government expects a 4.4 percent rise in French-speaking immigrants by 2023.
More airports are being built in Canada, which will have 18 international airports by the end of November 2021. This will surely help Canada to recruit more fresh immigrants.
New immigration priorities
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada issued a total of 38 mandate letters, one for each of the Cabinet ministers, in order to reach the country's immigration target.
The public can read the mandate letters, which define the duties and responsibilities that each minister will be responsible for, as well as the challenges that they will encounter in their roles.
According to the mandate, Canada's immigration priorities for 2022 are as follows:
As outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-2023, continue to welcome newcomers to Canada.
The processing period for Canada visa applications has been shortened to account for delays caused by COVID-19.
Working to improve family reunification by introducing electronic family reunification applications and implementing a scheme that allows spouses and children living abroad temporary resident status in Canada while their Canada PR visa application is being processed.
To make the process of applying for Canadian citizenship for PR visa holders who meet all of the requirements completely free of charge.
For Canadian businesses that use temporary foreign workers, a Trusted Employer program is being developed.
Improving the Global Talent pipeline by simplifying permit renewals, retaining the two-week processing duration, and establishing an employer helpline.
Improving the recognition of international credentials in collaboration with provinces, territories, and other regulatory organizations.
Taking advantage of existing pilot programs run by the Canadian government.
Continue to work with the Quebec government on an ambitious national strategy to increase Francophone immigration to Canada and improve immigrants' French language abilities in the province.
International students and temporary foreign workers will have additional options to become permanent residents of Canada thanks to the government's Express Entry scheme.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot is getting a lot of attention. Assuring that Canadian immigration benefits medium- and small-sized towns in need of more immigrants in order to thrive socially and economically.
Expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP).
Creating a permanent program for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP).
The mandate's provisions indicate Canada's commitment to meeting its immigration objective and acknowledging immigrants' role in the country's economic success.
Canada is keen to get back on the path of economic recovery with the help of immigrants. Its high immigration targets indicate better chances for those who wish to migrate to Canada.