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 different immigration programs such as Economic Programs, Family Class Programs and Refugees and Protected Persons. We will also take a look at how many Express Entry Draws we can expect this year!
In this article
- Why does Canada need immigrants in 2022?
- Summary of Canada Immigration Plan in 2022-2023
- Historical number of immigrants coming into Canada since 1860 to 2021
- Overview of Canada Immigration Programs
- 1. Canada’s Economic Immigration Programs 2022
- 2. Family Class Programs in Canada
- 3. Refugees and Protected Persons & Humanitarian Programs
- Express Entry Draws in 2022
- Will Processing time Change in 2022?
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 the 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 labour 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 labour shortages in areas where there is a lack of skilled workers available to fill specific jobs that need to be done to keep the Canadian economy strong. Immigration has been a part of Canada’s history and will continue to be an important part of 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 labour 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 that Immigration will play an important role for our country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigration is good for the Canadian economy and helps to fill regional labour shortages.
The number of invitations for permanent residency this year will likely increase, as Immigration looks to grow the population and support businesses in Canada’s recovery from COVID-19. The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan includes a gradual increase in the number of immigrants welcomed to Canada each year. We can expect to see more Express Entry Draws this year as Immigration looks to welcome more immigrants into Canada.
With 2021 in the hindsight, the table below shows a summary of Canada immigration plan and targets for 2022-2023.
Immigrant Program Category | Immigration Class | Year 2021 Target | Min Target 2021 | Max Target 2021 | Year 2022 Target | Min Target 2022 | Max Target 2022 | Year 2023 Target | Min Target 2023 | Max Target 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Federal High Skilled | Economic | 108500 | 81000 | 110250 | 110500 | 96250 | 112900 | 113750 | 100000 | 114500 |
Federal Business | Economic | 1000 | 400 | 1250 | 1000 | 250 | 1250 | 1000 | 500 | 1250 |
Economic Pilots: Caregivers | Economic | 8500 | 4900 | 9250 | 10000 | 4500 | 10500 | 10250 | 4500 | 11000 |
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program | Economic | 6000 | 3300 | 6250 | 6250 | 3000 | 6750 | 6500 | 3500 | 6750 |
Provincial Nominee Program | Economic | 80800 | 64000 | 81500 | 81500 | 63600 | 82500 | 83000 | 65000 | 84000 |
Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | Economic | * Quebec immigration plan | TBD | TBD | ||||||
Total Economic | Economic | 232500 | 180500 | 237000 | 241500 | 199000 | 247000 | 249500 | 207000 | 253500 |
Spouses, Partners and Children | Family | 80000 | 61000 | 81000 | 80000 | 60000 | 81000 | 81000 | 60000 | 82000 |
Parents and Grandparents | Family | 23500 | 15000 | 24000 | 23500 | 14000 | 24000 | 23500 | 14000 | 24000 |
Total Family | Family | 103500 | 76000 | 105000 | 103500 | 74000 | 105000 | 104500 | 74000 | 106000 |
Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | Refugees and Protected Persons | 23500 | 17000 | 25000 | 24500 | 19000 | 25000 | 25000 | 19500 | 25500 |
Resettled Refugees - Government-Assisted | Refugees and Protected Persons | 12500 | 7500 | 13000 | 12500 | 7500 | 13000 | 12500 | 8400 | 13000 |
Resettled Refugees - Privately Sponsored | Refugees and Protected Persons | 22500 | 14900 | 23000 | 22500 | 15400 | 23000 | 22500 | 15500 | 23000 |
Resettled Refugees - Blended Visa Office-Referred | Refugees and Protected Persons | 1000 | 100 | 1000 | 1000 | 100 | 1000 | 1000 | 100 | 1000 |
Total Refugees and Protected Persons | Refugees and Protected Persons | 59500 | 39500 | 62000 | 60500 | 42000 | 62000 | 61000 | 43500 | 62500 |
Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | Humanitarian and Other | 5500 | 4000 | 6000 | 5500 | 5000 | 6000 | 6000 | 5500 | 8000 |
Overall Permanent Resident Projection | All Programs | 401000 | 300000 | 410000 | 411000 | 320000 | 420000 | 421000 | 330000 | 430000 |
Historical number of immigrants coming into Canada since 1860 to 2021
Since 1988, Canada has welcomed an average of 260,000 immigrants each year. Immigration levels have been on the rise 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 labour 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.
The majority of newcomers to Canada will continue to come through economic immigration programs. Below is a graph of historical immigrant population arriving Canada since 1860.
Overview of Canada Immigration Programs
Canada offers a number of immigration programs for those looking to relocate and work in the country. The Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class are the three main economic immigration programs.
1. Canada’s Economic Immigration Programs 2022
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with experience in one of 29 eligible professions. 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. Candidates must meet language requirements and pass a points-based assessment.
The Canadian Experience Class is for foreign nationals who have been working in Canada on a temporary basis 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 popular 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 which is for foreign nationals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in Canada.
In Canada, each province have their own immigration programs known as Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which is for skilled foreign workers with relevant experience and language ability in the province.
The province of Quebec also has its own 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 2022-2023 – number of immigrants expected to receive an ITA, including Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Self-Employed program and Federal Skilled Trades Class.
2. Family Class Programs in Canada
Spousal/Common-law Partner Program
Spouse or common law partner class is for those who are married to, in a conjugal relationship with, or have 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.
3. 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 a number of 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 they are not eligible for government financial assistance.
Government-Assisted Refugees
Government-assisted refugees are foreign nationals who have been resettled in Canada by the federal government. Government-assisted refugees must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having no family members in Canada to sponsor them.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C)
You may be eligible to apply under humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you believe that returning to your country would cause unusual or undeserved 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 2022
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 are stating that there will be as many as 3-4 draws per month, others are predicting that there could be as few as just one. 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 2022. However, the CRS score may go down slightly as a result of recent changes to the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The Labour Market Impact Assessment process will also be changing in 2022, so it’s important to keep an eye on those changes as they could affect your eligibility for permanent residency.
Overall, it’s important to keep in mind that the number of Express Entry Draws in 2022 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 2022?
Government of Canada is working so hard to improve the application processing time. The target is to reduce the processing time for all types of applications by 50%. But what will happen if COVID-19 outbreaks happens again in 2022? Will the processing time be delayed once more? It is important to note that the impact of COVID-19 on Canada immigration levels plan 2022-2023 has not been determined yet.
Expected Impact of COVID-19 and Vaccination on Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2023.
It is still too early to know the full extent of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2022-2023. However, it is clear that this pandemic will have a significant impact on all aspects of Canadian life.
One area that may be affected is the number of immigrants who are able to immigrate in the coming years.
It is also possible that the Coronavirus will have an impact on 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 be waiting for more information about the virus and its effects.
What we do know is that Coronavirus has caused unprecedented changes to daily life around the world and it will take some time for Canada’s immigration system to adjust. Immigration levels plan 2022-2023 may be delayed due to Coronavirus.
Conclusion
Canada’s immigration plan for 2022-2023 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’re interested in immigrating to Canada or want more information about how to proceed, we would love to answer any questions and give you some advice on how best to present your case as an immigrant applicant!