immigration levels plan

“Canada Plans 20% Cut in Immigration for 2025: What You Need to Know”

Ashish / October 25, 2024

Canada’s Immigration Policy Update On October 24, the Canadian government announced changes to its Immigration Levels Plan, significantly reducing targets for both permanent and temporary resident admissions over the next three years. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Permanent Resident Targets The updated targets for permanent resident admissions are as follows: 2025: 395,000 (revised down from 485,000 for 2024 and the previous target of 500,000 for 2024-2026). 2026: 380,000 (down from the earlier 500,000 target). 2027: 365,000. Despite the overall reduction in immigration targets, the government plans to maintain a focus on economic immigration, with economic immigration targets for 2025 decreasing only 17% (from 281,000 to 232,000). Over 40% of these economic immigrants are expected to transition from temporary resident status already in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the importance of immigration to the Canadian economy, stating, “It’s made our economy the envy of the world.” The government has set out the following breakdown of permanent resident admissions for the next three years: Immigration Category 2025 2026 2027 Total PR admissions and ranges 395,000 (367,000 – 436,000) 380,000 (352,000 – 416,000) 365,000 (338,000 – 401,000) French-speaking admissions outside of Quebec 8.5% (29,325) 9.5% (31,350) 10% (31,500) Economic Immigration 232,150 (215,000 – 256,000) 229,750 (214,000 – 249,000) 225,350 (207,000 – 246,000) Family Reunification 94,500 (88,500 – 102,000) 88,000 (82,000 – 96,000) 81,000 (77,000-89,000) Refugees, Protected Persons, Humanitarian and Compassionate, and Other 68,350 (63,500 – 78,000) 62,250 (56,000 – 71,000) 58,650 (54,000 – 66,000) Changes to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) The new plan includes significant cuts to the targets for Provincial Nominee Program admissions, with a reduction of approximately 50%: 2025: 55,000 (down from 110,000 for 2024 and 120,000 for 2025). 2026: 55,000 (previously 120,000). 2027: 55,000. This marks a considerable shift in the federal government’s immigration policy. Federal High-Skilled Economic Immigration Increase In contrast to the cuts in PNP targets, the federal government is increasing the targets for federal high-skilled programs, which are managed through Express Entry: 2025: 124,680 (up from 110,770 for 2024 and 117,500 for 2025). 2026: 123,230 (increased from 117,500). 2027: 118,730. These figures were calculated by summing the “Federal Economic Priorities” and “In-Canada Focus” categories from this year’s supplementary information. Focus on French-Speaking Immigrants Outside Quebec The federal government aims to boost the proportion of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec: 2025: 8.5% 2026: 9.5% 2027: 10% Temporary Resident Admissions For the first time, the Immigration Levels Plan includes specific targets for temporary resident admissions. The government plans to reduce the proportion of temporary residents from 7% to 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2026. The expected decline in temporary residents is attributed to a reduction in work permits issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) and the expiration of existing temporary resident statuses: 2025: 285,750 work permits under IMP. 2026: 128,700 work permits under IMP (significant reduction). Work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will remain stable at 82,000 per year for the next three years. The government has proposed the following breakdown for admissions of temporary residents in Canada for the next three years: In an unusual move, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took the lead in kicking off the announcement – which is normally handled by the Immigration Minister. Trudeau lauded Canadian immigration, saying “It’s made our economy the envy of the world.” Immigration Category 2025 2026 2027 Total PR admissions and ranges 395,000 (367,000 – 436,000) 380,000 (352,000 – 416,000) 365,000 (338,000 – 401,000) French-speaking admissions outside of Quebec 8.5% (29,325) 9.5% (31,350) 10% (31,500) Economic Immigration 232,150 (215,000 – 256,000) 229,750 (214,000 – 249,000) 225,350 (207,000 – 246,000) Family Reunification 94,500 (88,500 – 102,000) 88,000 (82,000 – 96,000) 81,000 (77,000-89,000) Refugees, Protected Persons, Humanitarian and Compassionate, and Other 68,350 (63,500 – 78,000) 62,250 (56,000 – 71,000) 58,650 (54,000 – 66,000) 2024 Cap on Study Permit Applications In a bid to manage the growing number of foreign nationals on study permits, the IRCC announced a cap on international student admissions: A maximum of 360,000 new study permits for undergraduate and college students in 2024. This policy will now be a permanent feature of Canada’s international student program and will also apply to master’s and PhD students. Reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program The TFWP has faced scrutiny, and Prime Minister Trudeau condemned businesses for “exploiting cheap foreign labour.” As a result, the government has made several changes: Suspension of processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the low-wage stream in Montreal and other metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. A reduction in the length of TFWP work permits for low-wage jobs from two years to one year. Other Measures to Reduce Work Permit Numbers On September 18, Minister Miller outlined changes expected to yield the following reductions over the next three years: 300,000 fewer study permits 175,000 fewer Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) 150,000 fewer spousal open work permits Key changes include: PGWPs will only be available to graduates from programs aligned with in-demand jobs. A language test will be required for PGWPs. Master’s programs must last at least 18 months for spouses of students to qualify for spousal open work permits. Graduates from specific bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs will still be eligible for PGWPs regardless of their field of study, but college graduates will need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5, while university graduates will require a CLB of 7. Understanding the Immigration Levels Plan The Immigration Levels Plan is the government’s official outline for its immigration strategy, including annual targets for the coming years. Although the overall targets for new permanent residents have decreased, the 2025 targets still exceed pre-pandemic levels. It is important to note that the Plan does not account for all foreign nationals staying in Canada long-term, such as asylum seekers or those on super visas. Rationale Behind the Changes Minister Miller described these adjustments as representing a “middle of the road” approach, asserting that the government has a “controlled immigration plan that we can

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Annual Study Reveals Decline in Immigration Support for Second Consecutive Year

Ashish / October 22, 2024

Canada’s support for high immigration has fallen to its lowest point in 25 years. This is based on an annual study from the Environics Institute, a Canadian research organization that uses surveys to gather public opinion and gather data on social, political, and economic concerns in Canada. According to this year’s data, six out of ten Canadians think that the country takes in too many immigrants, compared to four out of ten in 2023. The 2024 results show the lowest level of support for high immigration levels since 1998 and reflect a 14 percentage point increase in negative opinions regarding immigration levels nationwide. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Compared to the 2022 report, which revealed that support for immigration was at an all-time high after the COVID-19 epidemic, the last two years have seen a significant shift. But since then, the national unemployment rate has been rising and Canada’s economy has recovered 138% of the jobs lost during the pandemic. Numerous recent modifications to Canada’s immigration laws, including a limit on the number of foreign students and the addition of temporary resident levels to the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan, have been influenced by this. More than 2,000 phone interviews with Canadians over the age of 18 served as the basis for the Environics poll. The population sample size used to obtain the results was accurate to within 2.2 percentage points of the total population. Support continues to decline. According to the report, respondents from the Prairie provinces showed notably low levels of support for immigration. 68% of respondents from Manitoba and Saskatchewan and 63% of respondents from Alberta felt that there was too much immigration in Canada. Additionally, compared to prior years, the data indicated that younger respondents had less support for immigration. “Canadians under 45 years of age (up 20 points), compared with those who are older (up 13)” made this noteworthy. The findings also indicated that first-generation Canadians and Canadian-born people had similar sentiments. Similar to the 2023 study, respondents cited rising living expenses and the affordability of housing as major reasons for their waning support for immigration levels. Although housing is still the biggest concern, a significant proportion of respondents now think that inadequate government management is the reason why immigration is an issue. According to the report, this was the case for 21% of respondents, which is 10% more than the previous year. How immigration categories are prioritized by Canadians Even among those who believe that immigration to Canada is excessive, less than 1% believe that no form of immigration should be given priority, according to Environics. According to the institute, this demonstrates that, similar to the previous year, Canadians are “not rejecting immigration outright and consider some categories as beneficial,” despite their reservations about the number and types of newcomers that enter the nation. In general, over three-quarters (73%) of those surveyed said they were inclined to encourage and give preference to newcomers who could perform highly skilled and in-demand positions. Additionally, 64% of respondents viewed education for newcomers as a top concern. In comparison, fewer Canadians (down 8% from 2023 to 47% for 2024) think that refugees escaping conflict should be given priority. The idea of giving priority to the immigration of present residents’ relatives is even less popular. According to this, only 33% of Canadians are in favor of this type of immigration at the present time. Once more, the Prairies had the biggest drop in support for making family reunification a priority. Results from 2023 show that support levels for low-skilled workers entering Canada temporarily have remained mostly unchanged. According to the survey, only 28% of Canadians thought highly of these workers. Additionally, only 27% of international students expressed support. The largest drops were seen in western Canada and Atlantic Canada, where they fell 13 points to 27%. Perspectives on the economy and immigration According to the study, 29% of participants—a four percentage point increase—cited the sluggish economy as a reason why they did not support immigration. Nonetheless, seven out of ten Canadians concur that immigration boosts the country’s economy. Most support for immigration’s effect on the economy was found among Canadians with a university education, first-generation Canadians and those who support the federal Liberal and NDP parties. Support drops sharply among those who vote for the federal Conservative Party, with just 21% saying immigration has a positive impact on Canada’s economy. Canadian society and immigration The number of Canadians who think there is a connection between immigration and crime has significantly increased, according to this year’s research. When questioned whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Immigration raises the level of crime in Canada?” there was a “substantial” increase in agreement. In Alberta, this was particularly true, with 48% of respondents agreeing—a 14% rise over 2023. In addition to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which both recorded increases of 20 percentage points to 41%, Ontario also exhibited a notable increase of 40%, up 19% from the previous year. Again, in terms of partisan support, agreement with this statement was found to be strongest among Conservative voters (55%). However, more Liberal (up 11%), NDP (up 5%) and Bloc Quebecois (up 2%) supporters agree compared to 2023 results. The advantages of immigration for Canadian communities According to Environics, “on balance,” Canadians appreciate the contributions made by immigrants in their communities, notwithstanding a more negative assessment of high immigration rates. In British Columbia, where 42% of respondents had favorable opinions about the local effects of immigration, this viewpoint is particularly prevalent. The Liberal Party (45%) and the NDP (47%), as well as university-educated Canadians (43%), shared this opinion nationally. 70% of respondents who expressed a favorable opinion of immigration stated, when given the chance to elaborate, that they “value what immigrants bring in terms of multiculturalism and diversity.” Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

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What we know about the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan

Ashish / October 17, 2024

Between now and November 1, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will present its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan will set targets for the number of permanent residents expected to be admitted to Canada over the next year, along with provisional goals for the two years following that, covering a total span of three years. The Plan not only shapes Canada’s immigration objectives but also influences various aspects of the country’s social and economic landscape, such as population growth, taxation, housing affordability, healthcare services, and labor market expansion. However, this year’s Plan will see a notable change, as Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed in March that, for the first time, temporary residents (those with work or study permits, as well as visitor visas) will be included. In 2023, Canada had more than 2.5 million temporary residents, representing 6.2% of the population. Minister Miller has stated that the upcoming Plan will aim to decrease the number of temporary residents admitted over the next few years, with the goal of reducing this figure to 5% of the total population within three years. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The specific number of temporary residents Canada will admit in the future is yet to be finalized. However, based on previous announcements, there are some indications of how IRCC’s future plans could shape the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan. Study Permits In January, IRCC announced a cap on study permits for international students, indicating it would process 606,000 applications in 2023, with an expected approval of 360,000—a 35% reduction in the number of study permits processed. This decision came as a surprise, given that Minister Miller had previously opposed placing caps or targets on Canada’s international student program. International students made up 42% of the temporary resident population in 2023. In September, the minister further stated that the number of processed study permits would be reduced to 437,000 by 2025. Master’s and PhD students, who had previously been exempt, would now be included under this cap. Open Work Permits In addition to study permits, the IRCC has signaled its intention to decrease the number of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) issued over the next three years. New requirements for PGWP applicants have been introduced, including a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. The minister estimated that these changes would result in 175,000 fewer PGWPs being issued over the next three years. Regarding SOWPs, changes are expected to reduce the number by 50,000, as spouses of international master’s students will now only qualify if their spouse’s program is 16 months or longer or if they are in a field identified by the IRCC as critical. Additionally, only the spouses of “highly skilled, specialized workers” will remain eligible for SOWPs, which is projected to further reduce the number of permits issued by 100,000 over the next three years. Altogether, these changes are expected to lead to 325,000 fewer open work permits issued during this period. Closed Work Permits There have also been significant updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Minister of Employment Randy Boissonnault introduced changes that limit employers to hiring no more than 10% of their workforce through the TFWP. Additionally, the maximum duration of employment for workers in the Low-Wage stream has been reduced from two years to one. Furthermore, IRCC will not process low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) from employers in areas with an unemployment rate exceeding 6%, though some exceptions apply. Minister Boissonnault has expressed concern about Canadian employers’ heavy reliance on the TFWP, stressing that it was only intended as a last resort. Permanent Residents The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 set a goal of welcoming 500,000 permanent residents annually by 2025 and maintaining that target through 2026. Permanent residents are admitted through various channels, including economic immigration, family sponsorship, refugee programs, and humanitarian initiatives. Minister Miller has hinted that significant changes could be on the horizon for the number of permanent residents Canada admits in the coming years, and that adjustments to the type of immigration Canada prioritizes could be forthcoming. Currently, 60% of immigration focuses on economic immigrants—skilled workers who are expected to integrate into the workforce and boost the economy. This is an unusually high proportion compared to many other nations, according to the minister. Broader Context As Canada’s population grows, concerns have emerged about the strain that high immigration levels place on key issues like affordable housing and an already stretched healthcare system. These topics are likely to influence the next federal election and were highlighted in a 2023 Environics Institute report on Canadian attitudes toward immigration. The report noted a noticeable decline in support for immigration compared to 2022, although most respondents did not express concerns about immigrants themselves. Minister Miller has also emphasized the need to limit the number of temporary residents, particularly international students, to prevent exploitation and ensure newcomers receive adequate support. Nonetheless, both Miller and Boissonnault have frequently highlighted the cultural benefits of immigration, acknowledging that immigration is responsible for virtually all of Canada’s labor force growth. They cautioned, however, that any policy adjustments must avoid being overly restrictive. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

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IRCC Application Backlog Continues to Rise Steadily Over the Summer

Ashish / October 16, 2024

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) saw its application backlog increase to 1,078,300 by the end of August 2024. This represents a 7.6% rise in the backlog compared to the previous month, July 2024. July marked a notable milestone, as the backlog exceeded one million applications for the first time in several months. Despite ongoing efforts by the IRCC to address and reduce the backlog, it currently accounts for 1,078,300 out of a total of 2,420,800 applications, meaning that 1,342,500 applications are still being processed within the department’s service standards. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The IRCC defines an application as being in backlog if it is not processed within the published service standards. These standards represent the timelines the department deems reasonable for processing specific types of applications. The timelines vary depending on the type of immigration pathway and the nature of the application. For instance, the IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within six months of receiving a completed application, while study permits generally take 60 days. The IRCC strives to process 80% of all applications within these service standards, leaving the remaining 20% to account for more complex applications or cases requiring additional processing time. In an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request obtained earlier in 2024, the IRCC stated that it is committed to reviewing and updating its service standards, with new standards expected to be published by December 31, 2024. Current Backlog Permanent Residence Applications As of August 31, 2024, the IRCC had a total of 805,600 applications in inventory for permanent residence programs. These included Express Entry programs, Express Entry-aligned streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship programs for spouses, partners, and children. Of the total permanent residence applications, 37% (300,800) were considered part of the backlog. While exact numbers weren’t provided, the IRCC did share percentages that show how the backlog is distributed: Express Entry: The backlog reached 16%, which is slightly higher than the projected 15%, though still within the acceptable 20% threshold set by the department. Express Entry-aligned PNP: The backlog for this stream stood at 22%, exceeding the projected 20%. Spouses, Partners, and Children (outside Quebec): This category had a smaller backlog than projected, with only 14% of applications in backlog, below the expected 15%. Temporary Residence Applications The backlog for temporary residence applications continues to rise, reaching 53% in August 2024, up from 49% in July. This means that 738,900 out of 1,386,000 temporary residence applications are now in backlog. The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) backlog is particularly significant, with 71% of applications in backlog, far exceeding the projected 43%. Both study permits and work permits show substantial backlogs as well, with 32% and 47%, respectively, being categorized as backlog. Citizenship Applications As in the previous month, citizenship applications remain the only category within acceptable backlog thresholds. As of August, 38,600 out of a total of 229,200 citizenship applications were in backlog, representing 17%, unchanged from July’s figures. IRCC’s Efforts to Reduce the Backlog The IRCC has implemented various measures to reduce the backlog, which surged to critical levels in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff shortages, and resource allocation issues at international offices. Among the steps taken to streamline the process are: Expanding and enhancing online application processes for permanent residence and citizenship. Introducing virtual citizenship ceremonies and online status-checking portals to reduce administrative delays. Prioritizing applications from individuals in essential occupations to address ongoing labor shortages. To further manage the backlog, the IRCC also plans to limit the number of temporary residents. The department aims to reduce the volume of temporary residents entering Canada to just 5% of current levels by introducing a “soft cap” on the number of temporary resident permits issued. With these initiatives, the IRCC is striving to bring the backlog under control while continuing to meet the country’s immigration and labor market needs. The department’s updated service standards, set to be released by the end of 2024, are expected to provide clearer guidance on processing times and help streamline the application process going forward. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

“Canada Plans 20% Cut in Immigration for 2025: What You Need to Know”

Annual Study Reveals Decline in Immigration Support for Second Consecutive Year

What we know about the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan

IRCC Application Backlog Continues to Rise Steadily Over the Summer

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immigration levels plan

“Canada Plans 20% Cut in Immigration for 2025: What You Need to Know”

Annual Study Reveals Decline in Immigration Support for Second Consecutive Year

What we know about the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan

IRCC Application Backlog Continues to Rise Steadily Over the Summer

Need an Advice for your Immigration Query Get an Appointment Today!

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Our Services

Follow Us

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Need an Advice for your Immigration Query
Get an Appointment Today!