In the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's immigration numbers fell severely due to the travel restrictions and other similar changes due to the unpredictability of the situation. As things seem to be getting better, Canada is opening up the doors again for the immigrants and hoping to welcome more of them. Keep scrolling to know Canada's immigration forecast for 2022.
The Numbers
According to
data, about 184,500 permanent residents were admitted into Canada in 2020. It
was a huge drop in the number of permanent residents admitted into Canada in
2019- 341,000. In 2021, 401,000 permanent residents were welcomed into Canada,
and our country wants to increase that number. There are plans to admit 411,000
new permanent residents in 2022 and 421,000 new permanent residents in 2023.
The
Immigration Levels Plan
The 2022-2024
Immigration Levels Plan would be arriving by February 14th, 2022, when Minister
Fraser is expected to table it. The second announcement is expected to be
announced by November 1st, 2022.
The Need
In 2022, the
immigration levels might be higher than expected due to solid reasons like
rising labor shortages, application backlogs, and the commitment made by the
Federal government to resettle
40,000 Afghan refugees.
Economic
Programs
Some of the
economic programs that can aid immigration are listed here:
·
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Program
·
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
Program (AIPP)
·
Federal Skilled Trades Class
(FSTC)
·
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
·
Caregivers Program
·
Quebec Skilled Worker Program
and Quebec Business
·
Federal Business (Start-Up Visa
Program and Self-Employed Person)
·
Provincial Nominee Program
(PNP)
Family Class
Programs
A few family
programs that can boost immigration to Canada are:
·
Parent and Grandparents Program
·
Protected Persons in Canada and
Dependents Abroad
·
Refugees and Protected Persons,
Humanitarian and other
·
Privately-Sponsored Refugees
·
Government-Assisted Refugees
·
Blended Visa Office Referred
What Else to Expect?
Some factors
that can impact Canada's immigration forecast in 2022 are listed below:
Ø High Backlogs
Due to the
pandemic, the IRCC's inventory has grown to 1.8 million, and the processing
times are slower than usual.
Ø TEER System Introduction
The TEER System
will replace the NOC Skill Levels. Immigration applicants will need to remember
this change as it will affect some individuals' immigration and foreign worker
eligibility.
Ø Citizenship Applications Changes
The government
has committed to making Canadian citizenship applications free, and it might do
that soon. Also, IRCC might soon allow all citizenship candidates to submit
their applications online.
Ø Trusted Employer System
The government
might also launch a Trusted Employer system for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
(TFWP) to fill job vacancies quicker.
Ø Resettling Afghan Refugees
The Canadian
government is committed to resettling about 40,000 Afghan refugees, and IRCC
has made it a top priority since August 2021.
Ø PGP 2022
According to the
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2022, Canada might admit 23,500
immigrants this year.
Ø Changing Travel Rules
With the
introduction of the new variants of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions
are still in place and are expected to be there for at least a few more months.
On January 15th, 2022, people seeking entry into Canada will need to be fully
vaccinated on arrival. Read the latest updates on Canada travel restrictions here.
Sources:
https://www.garsonil.com/blogs/canadian-immigration-news/a-look-ahead-to-immigration-in-canada-for-2022-and-beyond/#:~:text=Going%20forward%2C%20Canada's%20plan%20is,to%20be%20admitted%20in%202023.
https://www.cicnews.com/2022/01/canadian-immigration-in-2022-a-preview-of-the-year-ahead-0120148.html#gs.n0s30a
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-levels-plans.html