Immigration Levels to Canada nearly tripled in Canada

Immigration levels to Canada increased significantly in May 2020. After two consecutive months of declining immigration levels, the number of permanent residents of Canada increased significantly in May.

Canada welcomed 11,000 immigrants, up from just 4,000 in April. The top five countries of origin for these immigrants were India, China, the Philippines, the United States, and Nigeria.

This new data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly indicates that the country’s immigration system is starting to normalize amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In early 2020, Canada experienced a rapid start until the coronavirus caused travel restrictions and disruption to the operations of IRCC and other branches of government.

In any given month, some 25,000 to 35,000 people officially become permanent residents of Canada. Not surprisingly, immigration levels to Canada fell in March and then fell again the following month.

However, immigration levels almost tripled in May compared to April. Higher immigration levels in May tell us that IRCC is able to process more applications since the start of the pandemic.

It also tells us that more immigrants exempt from Canada’s travel restrictions completed their settlement process in May. Under current Canadian travel rules, people with Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) before March 18 are allowed to enter Canada.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was the main source of new permanent residents with 3,000 arrivals in May.

More than 2,000 of the new permanent residents in May were spouses and partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. They are also exempt from travel restrictions from Canada.

IRCC data also shows that 1,300 immigrants have obtained permanent residence as skilled workers, primarily through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Another 2,000 obtained permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

Express Entry and PNP draws have been held frequently since March.

IRCC issued 35,100 invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence, primarily to CEC and PNP applicants. The reason is that it would be easier for these applicants to complete their permanent residency process than those for Express Entry overseas. The assumption of this policy was that most CEC and PNP applicants currently live in Canada, so they are less likely to experience coronavirus disruption than those abroad.

On Wednesday, however, IRCC resumed inviting applicants to the FSWP under Express Entry. In fact, some FSWP candidates currently live in Canada, so it should be just as easy for them to complete the public relations process as the CEC and PNP candidates currently in the country.

In addition, the return to Express Entry All Programs draws suggests that IRCC is preparing to welcome even more immigrants from abroad in late 2020 and early 2021.

Given the resumption of immigration levels to Canada in May and the fact that more immigrants tend to complete their settlement process over the summer, we should expect immigration levels in Canada to continue to increase in the coming months.

Reference is taken from CIC News