Canada announces plan to continue growing the economy and creating middle-class jobs through responsible increases in newcomers

News release

March 12, 2020—Ottawa—Today the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2020‒2022 Immigration Levels Plan in the House of Commons.

The new plan will benefit all Canadians because immigration drives economic growth, spurs innovation and helps employers access the talent they need to thrive. Welcoming more newcomers will help to address the demographic challenges of an aging population and to compete and win in a competitive global marketplace.

The proposed plan is based on the solid economic foundation of the previous levels plan and continues to responsibly grow the number of permanent residents admitted to Canada each year, from 341,000 in 2020 to 351,000 in 2021 and 361,000 in 2022.

With this plan, the Government will implement a number of key commitments:

  • responsibly grow Canada’s population;
  • take the steps to make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot a permanent program to continue supporting economic growth in Atlantic Canada, with 5,000 admissions;
  • create a new stream to provide a safe haven for human rights advocates, journalists and humanitarian workers at risk abroad;
  • facilitate the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, to address specific labour market shortages;
  • support family reunification through sustained high admissions; and
  • reduce application processing times and improve service delivery and client services at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

We will also continue to implement our plan to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec, while supporting the successful integration and retention of French-speaking newcomers and strengthening Francophone communities.

With increased space for the Provincial Nominee Program, an Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Agri-Food and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilots, the levels plan directly addresses labour market needs across Canada to ensure businesses can get the talent they need, where they need it.

Quotes

“Our immigration system benefits all Canadians by strengthening the middle class, keeping families together and building strong and inclusive communities. This increase in immigration levels supports a system that will help Canadian business create good middle class jobs and grow the economy while ensuring Canada continues to meet its humanitarian obligations around the world.”

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

  • This new 3-year plan demonstrates that Canada’s well-managed immigration system continues to maintain public confidence, and increases permanent immigration to almost 1% of the population by 2022.
  • A significant stakeholder and public engagement exercise—including public opinion research and stakeholder consultations—was carried out in 2019, which enabled IRCC to obtain broad perspectives that have directly impacted all elements of the plan.
  • Extensive engagement with provincial and territorial representatives also took place over the past year.
  • With first-hand stories, IRCC’s Immigration Matters campaign shows Canadians how communities across the country benefit directly from immigration.
  • Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels.

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Canada makes it easier for foreign nationals to apply for temporary and permanent resident status within Canada

News release

People can now give their fingerprints and photo right here in Canada

December 3, 2019 – Ottawa – Building on a government commitment made earlier this year, Canada is rolling out the final phase of its biometrics collection program.

As of today, foreign nationals applying from within Canada for temporary or permanent residence, or to extend or renew their visitor visa or work or study permit, will need to have their fingerprints and photo taken and can do so at any of the 58 designated Service Canada locations across the country. This means individuals will now save time and money by being able to give their biometrics within Canada.

Canada has collected biometrics (fingerprints and photos) on most foreign nationals applying for temporary or permanent residence since December 31, 2018.

Having biometrics helps immigration officers verify people’s identity, which makes processing applications easier and simplifies entry for legitimate travellers. It also makes it easier for officers to stop individuals who pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians.

People can apply online or by paper as they have always done. Applicants who receive a biometrics instruction letter will be able to give their fingerprints and photo at designated Service Canada locations across the country by appointment. The appointment must be made in advance through an easy online booking tool at canada.ca/biometrics.

Applicants, including those in Canada who will be travelling outside the country, can also give their biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC) in any country that they are legally allowed to enter. Canada has one of the most extensive networks of VACs worldwide, with 160 locations in 108 countries.

Quotes

“Fingerprints and photo collection are recognized as one of the most reliable ways to identify people and are used by more than 70 countries worldwide. We will enhance the efficiency and integrity of the immigration system in Canada.”

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

  • This is the final phase of Canada’s biometrics expansion program. As a result of this expansion, foreign nationals coming to, or applying from within the country will provide their fingerprints and photo.
  • There are some exemptions to the biometrics requirement, including applicants under 14 or over 79 years of age; U.S. nationals coming to visit, work or study temporarily in Canada; and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. coming to visit only.

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Immigration key to unlocking Canada’s future economic success

Canada caring for caregivers

News release

Attracting skilled talent to drive prosperity for all Canadians

June 24, 2019—Toronto, ON –Canada continues to move forward with a bold and long-term immigration plan to spearhead economic growth and support middle-class jobs from coast to coast to coast.

Since 2015, Canada has focussed on attracting the best and the brightest from around the world through specific pilot programs to deliver on the recommendations made by Canada’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth by:

  • Setting up the first, ambitious long-term immigration levels plan which will strategically increase the amount of immigrant workers needed to support Canadians and seniors as they retire.
  • Modifying Express Entry to attract highly skilled global talent and former international students who have the skills Canada needs to fill labour shortages.
  • Creating the Global Skills Strategy to attract investments of innovative companies, helping thousands of businesses and benefitting 40,000 people with a 2-week application processing time.
  • Introducing the Global Talent Stream, which has been used by more than 1,100 Canadian companies to hire approximately 4,300 highly-skilled foreign workers.
  • Making the Start-Up Visa Program permanent, which has attracted more than 300 entrepreneurs leading about 200 start-ups that have been launched in Canada.
  • Spearheading the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, an innovative partnership aimed at attracting and retaining skilled immigrants and international graduates to meet the unique workforce needs of the Atlantic region. This pilot has led to close to 1,900 participating employers who made more than 3,700 job offers to skilled foreign nationals or international graduates, resulting in almost 3,000 permanent resident admissions to Atlantic Canada.
  • Launching the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, a 5-year pilot addressing the unique labour and skills needs of rural and northern communities and the ability to create new businesses within those smaller communities. The communities selected will serve as a blueprint for the rest of the country.

Canada is steadfast in its commitment to welcome newcomers from across the globe to make Canada their new home in order to address labour shortages to support businesses and to support Canadians as they retire.

Quotes

“Our population is aging and attracting the best and the brightest from around the Globe to fill labour gaps is key to support our Canadian way of life. Newcomers can also help unlock our hidden potential and create middle-class jobs of the future.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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Canada caring for caregivers

News release

Launching 2 new pilots: Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker

June 15, 2019 – Toronto – Canada is caring for its caregivers by launching 2 new pilots that will help caregivers who come to this country make it their permanent home.

The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots will open for applications on June 18, 2019, replacing the expiring Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots.

Caregivers will now only receive a work permit if they have a job offer in Canada and meet standard criteria for economic immigration programs. Once working in Canada, caregivers will be able to begin gaining the required 2 years of Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence.

Through these new pilots, caregivers will also benefit from:

  • occupation-specific work permits, rather than employer-specific, to allow for a fast change of employers when necessary;
  • open work permits and/or study permits for the caregivers’ immediate family, to help families come to Canada together; and
  • a clear transition from temporary to permanent status, to ensure that once caregivers have met the work experience requirement, they will be able to become permanent residents quickly.

These new pilots provide caregivers from abroad and their families with a clear, direct pathway to permanent residence.

Canada is committed to improving life for immigrants and supporting jobs for the middle class.

Quotes

“Canada is caring for our caregivers. We made a commitment to improve the lives of caregivers and their families who come from around the world to care for our loved ones and with these new pilots, we are doing exactly that.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

  • The expiring pilots will close to new applications on June 18, 2019. Caregivers who have applied before this date will continue to have their applications processed through to a final decision.
  • Caregivers who have been working toward applying to the soon-to-be-expired pilots can now apply through either the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot.
  • The Interim Pathway for Caregivers, the short-term pathway for caregivers who came to Canada as temporary foreign workers since 2014 but were unable to qualify for permanent residence through an existing program, will be extended. It will re-open on July 8, 2019 and accept applications for 3 months.
  • The new pilots, Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker, will each have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants per year, plus their immediate family.
  • Initial applications to the new pilots will have a 12-month processing service standard. A 6-month processing standard will apply for finalizing an application after the caregiver submits proof that they have met the work experience requirement.
  • With the move to occupation-specific work permits under the Home Child Care and Home Support Worker pilots, employers will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment before hiring a caregiver from overseas.

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Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Takes Off

News release

Applicants get access to study permit processing option

July 26, 2019—Ottawa, ON –Canada’s position as a top destination for students seeking a high-quality international education is strengthened when we provide fast, reliable processing of applications.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is now available to study permit applicants who are living in Pakistan. SDS applications require prospective students to provide more up-front information to officers, including meeting language test requirements in English or French and providing additional information that shows their ability to finance their education. With additional information, officers can process applications more efficiently.

The Student Direct Stream launched in 2018 as an option for study permit applicants in China, India, Philippines and Vietnam. Most SDS applications in those countries are being processed in under 3 weeks.

The expansion of SDS supports the Government’s goal of attracting students from a more diverse range of countries.

Many international students who graduate from a program in Canada often become eligible for a post-graduation work permit. With a Canadian education and skilled work experience in Canada, former international students are well-positioned for success in applying for permanent residence through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

In 2018, in fact, nearly 54,000 former students transitioned to permanent residence, an all-time high.

Quotes

“Canada’s diverse, welcoming society, high-quality educational institutions and opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination of choice for students from around the world. By expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of prospective students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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