Canada Immigration Plan in 2023 – 2024: What to Expect

Let us review the long-awaited Canada Immigration Plan in 2022-2023. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently released their Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-2023. The plan includes a gradual increase in the number of immigrants welcomed to Canada each year, with targets of 401,000 in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023.

This article will summarize IRCC’s targets for immigration programs such as Economic Programs, Family Class Programs, and Refugees and Protected Persons. We will also look at how many Express Entry Draws we can expect this year!

Why does Canada need immigrants in 2022?

With all the buzz around Canadian permanent residency, it is not surprising when people ask questions like why does Canada need immigration or why does Canada want Immigrants?

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there are many reasons why immigration is good for Canada. The benefits of immigration include:

• Growing the Canadian economy by supporting businesses with access to diverse talent, new ideas, and global connections;
• Helping address regional labor shortages in communities across Canada;
• Boosting Canada’s population and ensuring our continued economic growth. Immigration helps support the Canadian economy by bringing innovative ideas, skills, talent, and entrepreneurship to communities across Canada. It also helps address labor shortages in areas with a lack of skilled workers available to fill specific jobs needed to keep the Canadian economy strong. Immigration has been a part of Canada’s history and will continue to be essential to its future.

There’s more: immigration helps support the Canadian economy by bringing innovative ideas, skills, talent, and entrepreneurship to communities across Canada. It also helps address labor shortages in areas where there is a lack of skilled workers available to fill specific jobs.

Summary of Canada Immigration Plan in 2022-2023

What to Expect?

Canada Immigration Levels Plan had a target of 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, which was met, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 by 2023. The government says immigration will play an essential role in our country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigration is good for the Canadian economy and helps to fill regional labor shortages.

This year, the number of invitations for permanent residency will likely increase as immigration looks to grow the population and support businesses in Canada’s recovery from COVID-19. In addition, the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan includes a gradual increase in the number of immigrants welcomed to Canada each year. As a result, we can expect to see more Express Entry Draws this year as immigration looks to welcome more immigrants into Canada.

With 2021 in hindsight, the table below shows a summary of Canada’s immigration plan and targets for 2022-2023.

Historical number of immigrants coming into Canada from 1860 to 2021

Since 1988, Canada has welcomed an average of 260,000 immigrants each year. Immigration levels have risen since 2015 when IRCC set an immigration target of 300,000 immigrants for 2016. This was the highest number of new permanent residents that the country had admitted in nearly a century.

In recent years, Canada has increased its annual immigration targets to meet growing labor market needs and maintain its position as one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-2023 sets targets of 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023.

Most newcomers to Canada will continue to come through economic immigration programs. Below is a graph of the historical immigrant population arriving in Canada since 1860.

Image: Graph of historical immigrant population arriving Canada since 1860

Overview of Canada Immigration Programs

Canada offers several immigration programs for those looking to relocate and work there. The Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class are the three main economic immigration programs.

Canada’s Economic Immigration Programs 2022

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with experience in one of 29 eligible professions. In addition, candidates must meet language requirements and pass a points-based assessment.

The Federal Skilled Trades Class is for skilled tradespersons with experience in one of 24 eligible trades. In addition, candidates must meet language requirements and pass a points-based assessment.

The Canadian Experience Class is for foreign nationals who have temporarily worked in Canada for at least one year.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is for skilled workers and international graduates who qualify under a provincial nomination.

The Federal Self-Employed Program (a famous example is the Start-up Visa program) is for self-employed individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics, or farm management.

Canada also has a Caregiver Program for foreign nationals qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons, or persons with disabilities in Canada.

In Canada, each province has its immigration program known as Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which is for skilled foreign workers with relevant experience and language ability.

The province of Quebec also has an immigration program known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers who want to live and work in Quebec.

Some of Canada’s Federal immigration programs have a specific immigration plan for 2023-2024 – number of immigrants expected to receive an ITA, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Self-Employed program, and Federal Skilled Trades Class.

Family Class Programs in Canada

Spousal/Common-law Partner Program

Spouse or common-law partner class is for those married to, in a conjugal relationship with, or dependent children with a Canadian citizen. Spouses must be at least 18 years of age and not be related by blood to their sponsor. Spouses can apply in the family class category as long as they have been living with their sponsor for at least one year.

Dependent child Immigration

The dependent child category includes adopted children, stepchildren, and any biological or legally-recognized children of the sponsor who are not older than 22 and do not have a spouse or common-law partner.

Parent and Grandparents Program

The Parent and Grandparent Program is a way for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor the immigration of their parents and grandparents through a temporary visa. To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements as both a sponsor and an applicant.

Refugees and Protected Persons & Humanitarian Programs

Protected Persons

Protected persons are foreign nationals who have been granted refugee protection in Canada. Protected persons are eligible for several social benefits, including health care and education.

Privately-Sponsored Refugees

Privately-sponsored refugees are foreign nationals who have been sponsored by a group of individuals or organizations in Canada. Privately-sponsored refugees must meet the same eligibility requirements as government-assisted refugees but are not eligible for government financial assistance.

Government-Assisted Refugees

Government-assisted refugees are foreign nationals resettled in Canada by the federal government. Government-assisted refugees must meet specific eligibility requirements, including having no family members in Canada to sponsor them.

Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C)

You may be eligible to apply on humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you believe that returning to your country would cause unusual or unnecessary hardship, such as separation from family members in Canada. Protected persons are not eligible for H&C applications because they have been granted refugee protection in Canada.

Express Entry Draws in 2024

Will there be more Express Entry Draws this year?

According to recent reports, the number of Express Entry Draws in 2022 may vary. While some sources state that there will be as many as 3-4 draws per month, others predict that there could be as few as just one. So what does this mean for those hoping to gain permanent residency through one of Canada’s express entry streams?

The processing time for FSW and CEC applications is expected to remain the same in 2023. However, the CRS score may decrease slightly due to recent changes to the National Occupational Classification (NOC). In addition, the Labour Market Impact Assessment process will also be changing in 2023, so it’s essential to keep an eye on those changes as they could affect your eligibility for permanent residency.

Overall, it’s important to remember that the number of Express Entry Draws in 2023 may vary and that processing times are subject to change. Be sure to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and updates, so you know what to expect.

Will Processing time Change in 2023?

The Canadian government is working hard to improve the application processing time. The target is to reduce the processing time for all applications by 50%. But what will happen if COVID-19 outbreaks happen again in 2022? Will the processing time be delayed once more? It is important to note that the impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s immigration levels plan 2022-2023 has not been determined yet.

Expected Impact of COVID-19 and Vaccination on Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2024. 

It is still too early to know the extent of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2023-2024. However, this pandemic will significantly impact all aspects of Canadian life.

One area that may be affected is the number of immigrants who can immigrate in the coming years.

It is also possible that the Coronavirus will impact the number of people who choose to immigrate to Canada in the coming years. Some potential applicants may decide not to come due to health concerns, while others may wait for more information about the virus and its effects.

We know that Coronavirus has caused unprecedented changes to daily life worldwide, and it will take some time for Canada’s immigration system to adjust. Immigration levels plan 2023-2024 may be delayed due to Coronavirus.

Conclusion

Canada’s immigration plan for 2023-2024 is a big step in the right direction. Not only does it emphasize diversity and inclusion, but it also offers programs that can help newcomers to find their footing when they arrive in this country.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada or want more information about how to proceed, we would love to answer any questions and advise you on how best to present your case as an immigrant applicant!