Canada Immigration News: Canada Invites 108,000 Newcomers in 3 Months!

Canada immigration news:108,000 people were invited from all over the world to apply for Canadian permanent residency, from January to March, 2022.

The total number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued is double that of the number issued in 2021.

Most applicants received ITAs through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) linked to the Express Entry System. 7,257 invitations were issued in eight Express Entry Draws this year.

On February 16, 2022, the PNP invited a record number of applicants, issuing 1,082 ITAs through Express Entry-linked streams.

“While navigating unprecedented challenges in Canada’s immigration system, we have kept client experience as our focus, leading to record levels of newcomers in Canada. Helping clients come to Canada quickly, with predictable processing times and efficient communication, remains a top priority for me. Canada is proud to be a destination of choice for so many people around the world, and we will continue to work hard to provide the best experience possible for them.”

Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Key Immigration Factors for First Quarter of 2022

Other Express Entry programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class, were temporarily halted due to the backlog (CEC). Although this has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that at this rate, the backlog of processing applications will be cleared by spring.

Canada has also surpassed its citizenship ambitions, inviting over 210,000 persons to become Canadian citizens in the years 2021-2022.

In 2021, 405,000 persons were invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada, the biggest number of ITAs ever granted in the country's history.

In 2021, it will accept 169,000 international students, a 32 percent increase over 2019.

In February 2022, another initiative was launched by IRCC. The digital case status trackerlets candidates apply for Permanent Residency (PR) status through certain family class immigration programs and helps applicants to track their Canadian visa application status.

Canada’s Immigration Outlook For 2022

1. An increase in immigration targets over the next three years

With higher immigration goals and more efficient processes, Canada's immigration landscape looks promising in 2022. Given the end of 2021, what changes can we expect to see in Canada's immigration programs in 2022?

Canada is set to welcome 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024.

2. Improved unemployment rates, despite the pandemic

Canada’s labour market also seems to be on the upturn, with unemployment rates at an all-time low. This may come a a big surprise as many did not expect such a fast recovery after the pandemic.

According to Statistics Canada, the country’ss unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent, which is the lowest record seen since 1976.

However, given the significant demographic changes that transformed Canada's workforce before the pandemic, and will continue to change it over the next 10 years, there is no doubt that the job market will continue to recover in 2022.

3. An increase in immigration selection from immigrants already living or working in Canada

Another big change is the increasing number of permanent residents being selected from within Canada. Before the pandemic, overseas immigrants accounted for about 70 percent of those who landed through Express Entry, but that number dropped to 30 percent last year as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) became more reliant on Canadian candidates for its Reach Immigration destinations are amid pandemic-related disruptions such as travel restrictions.

It remains to be seen whether a post-pandemic IRCC will rely more on overseas or Canadian immigration options. Additionally, provinces and territories are increasingly selecting Canadian candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and other channels.

4. Canadian investments to assist newcomers settle in Canada

A third important consideration is the IRCC's increased investment in resettlement services, such as manpower and language training.

IRCC now spends about $2 billion a year on such services, up from about $350 million a year 20 years ago. These services are also available pre-arrival, providing immigrants with useful information and assistance to expedite their settlement process once they arrive in Canada.

To keep up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration news and number of ITAs issued for permanent residency in the first quarter of 2022, visit the IRCC website here.