Canada improves its immigrant count to touch pre-COVID levels

It looks like Canada immigration is doing a great job at a gradual but steady recovery in recent times. As per the latest IRCC data, Canada welcomed about 24,665 new Canada PR visa holders in January 2021. This is the best number of invitations issued by Canada since February 2020. The immigration levels are touching a status that was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic which was between 25,000 and 30,000 newcomers.

Spring and summer are the times that register the highest arrivals of newcomers in Canada. The settlement process in this period is easier owing to the warmer weather. Also, families look forward to settling in Canada towards the end of the summer holidays. It’s in September every year that the school year and work schedule resume normal activity in Canada.

Last year, this cycle was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Until January 2021, Canada couldn’t cross the limit of 20,000 annual newcomers. The total number of immigrants who arrived in Canada in 2020 was 184,370. This was way short of the actual target of 341,000 new Canada PR for that year.

While Marco Mendicino, the Immigration Minister of Canada, announced that Canada is aiming at inviting 401,000 new immigrants in 2021, he was aiming to cover the losses in immigration that happened in 2020.

With the numbers looking encouraging, it could be expected that Canada will achieve its ambitious targets. With seasonal arrival patterns of new Canadian permanent residents getting back to normal, Canada could even surpass the 35,000-limit by the summer of 2021.

A noticeable shift in the strategy for inviting immigrants is now seen as Canada is welcoming mostly skilled foreigners who are currently residing in the country. The immigration draws recently have chosen CEC candidates who are readily available and aren’t facing any difficulties from the COVID-related travel restrictions like overseas immigration candidates.

On February 13, 2021, Canada invited 27,332 CEC candidates to apply for Canada PR. This was the most invites sent in one draw in the history of Canada immigration. With Canada rewarding candidates with Canadian education and experience of working in Canada, lots of TFWs and international students will have a greater opportunity to achieve a permanent residency in Canada.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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Note:

IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

PR – Permanent Residence/Permanent Resident

TFW – Temporary Foreign Worker