CANADA ANNOUNCES IMMIGRATION LEVELS 2021-2023

Submitted by Jaya Kiran on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 17:35

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2021‒2023 Immigration Levels Plan today, which sets out a path for responsible increases to immigration targets to help the Canadian economy recover from COVID-19, drive future growth and create jobs for Canadians.

 

Although Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continued to accept and process applications throughout the pandemic, the global travel restrictions and capacity constraints led to a shortfall in admissions over the last several months. 

 

To compensate for the shortfall and ensure Canada has the workers it needs to fill crucial labour market gaps and remain competitive on the world stage, the 2021 to 2023 levels plan aims to continue welcoming immigrants at a rate of about 1% of the population of Canada, including:

  • 401,000 permanent residents in 2021, 
  • 411,000 permanent residents in 2022 
  • 421,000 permanent residents in 2023. 

The previous plan set targets of 351,000 in 2021 and 361,000 in 2022.

 

ECONOMIC CLASSES

 

FMLY

 

Highlights of the plan include

  • an increase in admissions over 3 years to make up the shortfall in 2020
  • 60% of admissions to come from the Economic Class
  • a continued focus on innovative and community-driven approaches to address diverse labour and demographic needs across the country
  • a renewed commitment to capacity-building and digital transformation in Canada’s immigration system, to support operations and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the processing of applications
  • additional points for French-speaking candidates under Express Entry, to promote the growth of Francophone communities outside of Quebec
  • a commitment to admit up to 500 refugees over the next 2 years through the Economic Mobility Pathways Project, an innovative approach that helps qualified refugees apply for permanent residence through existing economic immigration pathways
  • a pathway to permanent residency for eligible asylum claimants who were working on the front lines of the pandemic between March 13 and August 14, 2020, providing direct care to patients in health-care institutions

The 2021–2023 Immigration Levels Plan will help cement Canada’s place among the world’s top destinations for talent, creating a strong foundation for economic growth while reuniting family members with their loved ones and fulfilling Canada’s humanitarian commitments.