Canada Surpasses Immigration Targets in 2023: Key Figures and Future Plans

Introduction:

• Canada welcomed 471,550 new permanent residents in 2023, exceeding the target set in the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025.
• The figure represents an increase of 33,950 over 2022’s intake of 437,600 permanent residents.

Immigration Levels Plan and Future Targets:

• The Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 aimed for 465,000 permanent residents, showcasing Canada’s commitment to immigration.
• IRCC plans to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, with targets reaching 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026.

Temporary Residence Applications:

• Work permits saw 1,646,300 finalized applications, a notable increase of 503,330 from 2022, covering both Temporary Foreign Worker and International Mobility Programs.
• Study permits also experienced growth, with 1,089,600 finalized applications, marking a year-over-year difference of 171,700.

Canadian Citizenship:

• 293,000 newcomers became Canadian citizens between April 1 and December 31, 2023, reflecting a rise of 13,900 compared to the same period in 2022.

IRCC’s Current Backlog:

• As of December 31, 2023, 2,221,100 applications were in inventory at IRCC, with 949,500 considered in backlog.
• IRCC’s mandate is to process 80% of immigration applications within service standards, with specific standards for different types of applications.

Backlog Breakdown:

• Permanent residence applications constitute 702,000 of the total inventory, with a backlog of 308,900, indicating that 44% have not met service standards.
• Temporary residence applications, including work permits and study permits, make up 1,257,000, with 590,800 in backlog.

IRCC’s Measures to Reduce Backlog:

• IRCC is implementing measures to reduce the backlog, prioritizing processing for healthcare and agriculture worker permits.
• The tech talent strategy expedites processing for foreign workers in demand in tech occupations.
• Online portals for permanent residence applications, application status trackers, and an online process for citizenship applications are aiding in faster processing.

Conclusion:

Canada’s immigration system is demonstrating resilience and adaptability, surpassing targets and implementing measures to manage backlogs effectively. The nation remains committed to maintaining a robust and inclusive immigration policy.