The most recent census showed that immigrants now make up their largest share of Canada’s total population (23%), a record that was first set over 100 years ago.
Entering 2023, the Canadian government appears determined in its continued commitment to immigration and welcoming newcomers to this country. Canada hopes that increased immigration will continue to help the country develop socially and economically, as well as work to unite families and assist vulnerable populations through Canada’s capacity for humanitarian assistance. will do.
The following is a general overview of what Canadian immigration may look like in the next calendar year, looking forward to 2023.
Customer Experience: IRCC Application Backlog Expected to Continue to Decrease
Since September 2022, there has been a steady decrease in the total application backlog at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has reduced its backlog by 400,000, according to figures provided to CIC Updates.
Additionally, IRCC has received $85 million in additional funding to “reduce application inventory” and increase “front-line operations staff” by 2,521 employees between March 2019 and November 2022. It is expected that these factors will continue to have a positive impact on IRCC’s service standards and application backlog in 2023.
Immigration Levels Plan Targets for 2023
Canada has set a record-high immigration target for 2023 within the Immigration Levels Plan, suggesting the IRCC believes it can manage the backlog while welcoming large numbers of newcomers.
By immigration category, the 2023 immigration level plan target (465,000) is broken down as follows.
Preview of the 4 Major Canadian Immigration Routes
Provincial Nominee Program in 2023
Later this year, we learned that PNP is poised to overtake Express Entry as Canada’s top immigration route. PNPs are critical in helping Canada meet specific labor market needs that are becoming more prominent across the country. Accordingly, 2023 is expected to see 23,000 more PNP immigrants welcomed into Canada than Express Entry candidates.
Express Entry in 2023
Further reinforcing Canada’s desire to address specific labor market needs and gaps, the IRCC is expected to launch a ‘targeted’ Express Entry draw in 2023. The draw is based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of the candidate, instead of giving Invitation to Apply (ITA). The score will target candidates with specific professional experience, language skills and/or educational background.
More information about the ‘Targeted’ Express Entry draw is available here.
Parent and Grandparent Programs in 2023
In 2023, Canada will remain committed to family reunification. This is evident in the popularity of Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). According to Canada’s latest Immigration Status Plan, the PGP, combined with other immigration routes such as the Super Visa, will welcome more than 28,000 newcomers next year.
Note: No official details are yet available about the exact selection process that will be used by IRCC for PGP in 2023.
International students in 2023
In October, IRCC announced revisions to its off-campus work hours policy for international students in Canada.
From November 15, 2022 until the end of 2023, “international students who are in Canada and have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will be permitted to work no more than 20 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session” I’m in.”
Designed to help Canada better deal with labor shortages, as Canada faces “historic labor shortages and an unemployment rate that is low by historical standards”, the change could potentially put up to half a million jobs. Will allow more international students to work more hours while attending their classes. Between now and the end of next year.
How will these developments affect Canada in 2023?
Immigration greatly benefits Canada’s population and labor force, which should continue into 2023.
For example, the expected increase of newcomers coming to Canada through both the PNP and the Targeted Express Entry draw should provide Canada with much of the pressure currently constraining the country’s labor market. As more able-bodied skilled immigrants enter the country, especially those working in high-demand occupations, Canada will benefit economically through the natural cycle of spending that occurs when people are employed.
Additionally, the temporary removal of the off-campus working hours rule means that more international students can come to Canada over time, as the move is expected to make Canada an even more attractive international student destination. Should more international students also be living in Canada after graduation, this change to the working hours policy will mean that more foreign students will ultimately contribute to the improvement of the Canadian economy and labor market (much like the Express Entry mentioned above). and like PNP immigrants).
Accordingly, immigration in 2023 should provide all Canadians with a flourishing labor force and many reasons to be more optimistic about the economic future in this country.
note: All Canadians should also be monitoring the state of the Canadian economy and labor market to see how immigration materially impacts the country over the next 12 months.
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