Canada immigration target 2021-2023 announced

By Vijay Lala

Published

Updated

Immiboards ― Canada immigration target is set to a record 401,000 immigrants in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023.

Canada aims to welcome 1.2m immigrants over the next three years per the 2021-2023 `Immigration Levels Plan”.

The numbers represent an increase of 50,000 for each year and aim to compensate for the immigration shortfall in 2020 due to the pandemic.

It represents about one percent of Canada’s population.

The 2021-2023 ‘Immigration Levels Plan’ was unveiled by Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 30.

Canada will welcome more immigrants than ever before.

Canada Immigration target for the next three years is as outlined below:

2021 – 401,000 immigrants

2022 – 411,000 immigrants

2023 – 421,000 immigrants

The minister shared targets and ranges for overall immigrant admissions as well as for each category.

The immigration target appears to be a well-planned strategy as Canada realizes the importance of economic immigration.

Canada aims to fuel its economic recovery by inviting 60% of the immigrants under economic class programs to boost the local labour market.

If Canada is able to achieve the set target, it will be a record achievement in the history of Canadian immigration. It was way back in 1913 when Canada last invited more than 400,000 immigrants.

Canada Immigration Levels 2021 - 2023
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2021 – 2023

Along with Covid impact, Canada is also is facing the challenge of an ageing population.

As per Statcan, Canada’s median age is 40.9 years with 17.5% of the population over the age of 65. Comparing this with India, the median age in India was 26.8 years in 2015 as per Statista.

India is the largest source of new immigrants for Canada and this target bodes well for Indians who want to move to Canada.

Canada recently made changes to its Express Entry program.

Even as a second language, applicants with French knowledge would now be eligible for an additional 50 bonus CRS points.

Most of the applicants who get invited under the Federal Skilled Worker economic program have a good amount of international experience and relevant education, aligning with Canada’s economic goals and labour market needs.

The points-based system is favourable for skilled Indians as most of them have professional degrees and good command of English, making their transition to Canada easier.

A Canadian PR (Permanent Resident) is the goal of many foreign workers since it is the eventual pathway to Canadian citizenship.

With the new immigration target, Canada aims not just for short term economic recovery but also for long-term economic goals.

As of 2020, 33% of all business owners are immigrants, and 25% of all workers in the health sector are immigrants. Immigrants have played a crucial role in creating new jobs.

“Immigration is essential to getting us through the pandemic, but also to our short-term economic recovery and our long-term economic growth. Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table. As we look to recovery, newcomers create jobs not just by giving our businesses the skills they need to thrive, but also by starting businesses themselves. Our plan will help to address some of our most acute labour shortages and to grow our population to keep Canada competitive on the world stage.”

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Immigrant Category 2021  2022  2023  
  TargetLow RangeHigh RangeTargetLow RangeHigh RangeTargetLow RangeHigh Range
 Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions401,000300,000410,000411,000320,000420,000421,000330,000430,000
EconomicFederal High Skilled108,50081,000110,250110,50096,250112,900113,750100,000114,500
 Federal Business1,0004001,2501,0002501,2501,0005001,250
 Economic Pilots: CaregiversFootnote3; Agri-Food Pilot; Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot8,5004,9009,25010,0004,50010,50010,2504,50011,000
 Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program6,0003,3006,2506,2503,0006,7506,5003,5006,750
 Provincial Nominee Program80,80064,00081,50081,50063,60082,50083,00065,00084,000
 Quebec Skilled Workers and BusinessSee the Quebec immigration plan  To be determined  To be determined  
 Total Economic232,500180,500237,000241,500199,000247,000249,500207,000253,500
FamilySpouses, Partners and Children80,00061,00081,00080,00060,00081,00081,00060,00082,000
 Parents and Grandparents23,50015,00024,00023,50014,00024,00023,50014,00024,000
 Total Family103,50076,000105,000103,50074,000105,000104,50074,000106,000
Refugees and Protected PersonsProtected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad23,50017,00025,00024,50019,00025,00025,00019,50025,500
 Resettled Refugees – Government-Assisted12,5007,50013,00012,5007,50013,00012,5008,40013,000
 Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored22,50014,90023,00022,50015,40023,00022,50015,50023,000
 Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office-Referred1,0001001,0001,0001001,0001,0001001,000
 Total Refugees and Protected Persons59,50039,50062,00060,50042,00062,00061,00043,50062,500
Humanitarian and OtherTotal Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other5,5004,0006,0005,5005,0006,0006,0005,500
Canada Immigration Target 2021 2023

As per the IRCC news release, the 2021–2023 Immigration Levels Plan will help cement Canada’s place among the world’s top destinations for talent, creating a strong foundation for economic growth while reuniting family members with their loved ones and fulfilling Canada’s humanitarian commitments.

Vijay Lala is the founder and editor-in-chief of Immiboards.com. Dual master's degrees in Political Science and Economics, along with a decade of Canadian immigration research experience, have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of immigration law, policy research, and settlement issues. Twitter


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