Did you know that Canada has increased its immigration targets for 2019 and 2020, and that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced that it will extend Canada’s immigration level plans through to 2021. Abdul Souraya of Phoenix Legal, an experienced immigration lawyer in Calgary, has been closely following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s multi-year plan, which is expected to bring more than one million new permanent residents to Canada between 2019 and 2021. Let’s discuss Canada’s increased immigration targets and how they may benefit you if you apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Admissions targets under Canada’s immigration plan The multi-year plan put in place by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada calls for gradually increasing admissions targets each year: • The target for 2019, originally set at 310,000, was increased to 330,800. • The total admission target for all immigration categories for 2020 was increased to 341,000. • The total admission target for all immigration categories for 2021 was increased to 350,000. All told, the total admissions target is 1,330,800 in all immigration categories between 2018 and 2021 under Canada’s current immigration levels plan – itis worth noting that this marks the highest immigration targets in Canadian history. Targets have been increased under each of Canada’s immigration categories Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s plan has increased overall annual targets under each of Canada’s immigration categories (the categories are Economic Programs, Family Class Programs, Refugees and Protected Persons, and Humanitarian and Other). That means that overall, every Canadian immigration category is expected to accept more people in each year up to and including the year 2021. Within each of the immigration categories, the only programs that saw decreased targets were the Live-In Caregiver Program and the Blended Visa Office-Referred Program. The immigration target for every other program saw an increase when comparing 2021 to 2018 levels. Canadian immigration categories that have expanded the most While overall targets for each category were increased under Canada’s current immigration levels plan, the majority of growth is within the Economic Program. The plan’s emphasis on economic migration is aimed at welcoming new skilled workers to the country’s industries, thereby strengthening the Canadian middle-class through economic growth. Target rates were increased in the three main Canadian economic immigration categories, which are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). Targets for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) have also been significantly increased. Applications under the FSW, CEC and FST classes and applications under Provincial Nominee Programs are managed through the federal Express Entry system. To find out whether you are eligible to enter Canada’s Express Entry pool, contact a Calgary immigration lawyer at Phoenix Legal today by calling 403-568-3000 or by completing our online form. Increased targets may benefit your immigration application As discussed, the focus of the increased targets is economic migration, which is aimed at in turn fostering economic growth. The goal is to welcome more talented workers with the skills and expertise that the Canadian economy needs. So, if you are applying under one of the economic immigration programs, the increased targets mean you have a better chance of your application being accepted. It is also important to note that there have been increases in other categories, not just the economic categories. To recognize the importance of reuniting family members, targets were increased for Family Class Programs including family sponsorship for spouses, partners and dependent children, and family sponsorship for parents and grandparents. Increases have also been implemented in refugee programs to accommodate refugees looking to start new lives in Canada. Again, the increased targets under these programs mean that the odds of your application being accepted are better than ever. Increase in PNP targets offers key benefit for people seeking to immigrate to Alberta In a previous section of this article, our immigration lawyer in Calgary discussed the significant increases in the targets for the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), which allow participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate a set number of immigration candidates for permanent residence each year based on local labour market needs. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is Alberta’s PNP. Prospective immigrants with the right skills and work experience may apply under the AINP to receive an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate. If you are seeking to immigrate to Alberta, the increase in admissions targets under the Provincial Nominees Programs may be of benefit to you. To learn about the selection criteria under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program and to find out whether you are eligible to apply, contact a Calgary immigration lawyer at Phoenix Legal today to book an in-person or telephone consultation. Speak to an immigration lawyer in Calgary to determine your immigration eligibility With over 28 years of legal experience, Abdul Souraya is a successful immigration lawyer in Calgary who provides a variety of services, including providing an immigration assessment and guiding his clients through the immigration process. His firm of immigration lawyers in Calgary can provide information about the application forms, fees and processing times involved, and guide you through the immigration process. Phoenix Legal’s team of Calgary immigration lawyers can also assist you with applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, citizenship applications, immigration appeals, federal court removal, and business immigration. To speak with a Calgary immigration lawyer at Phoenix Legal, call our office today at 403-568-3000 or complete our online form. We offer services in English, French and Arabic. Virtual service is available around the world.