Kareem El-Assal - 24 November, 2020
New data by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that Canada's immigrant intake remains weak due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRCC reveals Canada welcomed 15,000 immigrants in September 2020, compared with 35,000 in September 2019.
Overall, Canada has admitted 143,500 new permanent resident visa holders in the first nine months of 2020. This means Canada will fall short of its target to welcome 341,000 immigrants this year.
Last year, Canada had welcomed 264,000 immigrants by September and over 341,000 new immigrants total.
Immigration to Canada is currently weak for three reasons. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the entire immigration system. Secondly, many confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) holders who received their COPRs prior to March 18 and are legally eligible to enter Canada are stuck abroad since their COPRs have expired. Third, coronavirus travel restrictions forbid those who obtained a COPR after March 18 from entering Canada unless they fall under another exemption.
Given its low immigration levels, Canada recently announced a new 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, whereby it aims to welcome the highest levels of immigration in its history.
Next year, Canada will seek to welcome 401,000 new permanent resident visa holders. It will look to welcome 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023.
Canada is ramping up efforts to achieve these new targets through ongoing Express Entry draws.
Recent Express Entry draws have seen 4,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence issued to successful candidates. These draws have been tied for the highest levels in Express Entry's history.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) also remains active and draws have occurred regularly throughout the pandemic.
Other skilled worker immigration programs as well as processing for other groups such as international students and work permit holders continues.
Candidates are able to submit their immigration applications if they want to obtain permanent residence as a skilled worker. In addition to Canada's governments still processing applications, official language testers such as IELTS and CELPIP, and educational credential assessment organizations such as World Education Services (WES) are operational.
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