Canada ended 2023 on a very high note by not only fulfilling its immigration target but going beyond. Canada welcomed 471,550 permanent residents which is more than 33,950 in 2022. According to IRCC data, 293,000 newcomers became Canadian citizens between April 1 and December 31, 2023.
Canada planned 465,000 to be accepted under the permanent residency category 2023, which it has achieved easily. IRCC accepted these candidates from Express Entry Programs, Provincial Nominees, and their spouses, parents, and children.
For work permit categories, 1,646,300 applications were finalized including extensions. On the other hand, for study permits, 1,089,600 applications were finalized including extensions.
Canadian government has far done following efforts to increase the number of immigrants also for the upcoming years:
- IRCC launched an online application status tracker that lets some family class permanent residence applicants, sponsors, and their representatives more easily check their application status online;
- IRCC Reducing the backlog of Express Entry applicants. Now this category will be handled in six months of maximum time;
- It launched a new Francophone immigration policy that promotes the vitality and economic development of Francophone minority communities and a series of measures that support Francophone immigration outside the province of Quebec;
Immigration Level Plan 2024
In total, 485,000 immigrants will be able to reach Canada in 2024. The lower range of this quota has been set at 430,000 and the high range has been set at 542,500. The biggest number s will be allowed under “Economic Class” which ranges from 281135. On the other hand for “Family Class,” 114,000 will be able to apply for the immigration program. About 76,155 “Refugees and protected persons” will enjoy the opportunity and 13,750 under “Humanitarian & Compassionate and Others”.
1- Economic class
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Federal High Skilled | 109,020 |
| Federal Business | 5,000 |
| Economic Pilots: Caregivers, Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and Economic Mobility Pathways Project | 12,125 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 11,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 110,000 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | Separate announcement |
| Total Economic | 281,135 |
2- Family Class
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Spouses, Partners, and Children | 80,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 34,000 |
| Total Family | 114,000 |
3- Refugees and Protected persons
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 27,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Government-Assisted | 21,115 |
| Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored | 27,750 |
| Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office-Referred | 250 |
| Total Refugees | 76,115 |
4- Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 13,750 |
Immigration Level Plan 2025
500,000 immigrants will be able to reach Canada in 2025. The lower range of this quota has been set at 442,500 and the high range has been set at 550,000. The biggest number s will be allowed under “Economic Class” which ranges from 301,250. On the other hand for “Family Class,” 118,000 will be able to apply for the immigration program. About 72,750 “Refugees and protected persons” will enjoy the opportunity and 8,000 under “Humanitarian & Compassionate and Others”.
1- Economic class
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Federal High Skilled | 114,000 |
| Federal Business | 6,000 |
| Economic Pilots: Caregivers, Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and Economic Mobility Pathways Project | 14,750 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 14,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 117,500 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | Separate announcement |
| Total Economic | 301,250 |
2- Family Class
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Spouses, Partners, and Children | 82,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 36,000 |
| Total Family | 118,000 |
3- Refugees and Protected persons
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 29,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Government-Assisted | 15,250 |
| Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored | 28,250 |
| Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office-Referred | 250 |
| Total Refugees | 72,750 |
4- Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other
| Immigrant Category | Target |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 8,000 |