Canada welcomed 13,645 new permanent residents in July 2020.
This was an extremely low figure, noting that July is one of the busiest months for Canadian immigration.
On a year-on-year basis, Canada’s July 2020 permanent residence (PR) intake fell 63 percent compared to July 2019.
Last July 2019 was the busiest month for Canadian immigration. That month, Canada welcomed 36,615 new permanent residents.
Canada usually welcomes its highest levels of new immigrants each July. This is due to migrants moving to Canada during the hot summer months, and enrolling their children in school before the academic year begins in Canada in August-August and early September.
Canada’s July intake was even lower than the 19,200 migrants welcomed in June this year.
June 2020 has been the strongest month for Canada’s PR levels since coronaviruses were labeled an epidemic in March. Before June, Canada welcomed 11,000 immigrants in May and just 4,000 in April.
Following the onset of the epidemic, Canada’s PR intake introduced travel restrictions in April that remain in place, as well as other coronavirus-related disruptions such as approved immigrants not getting flights available to them to Canada.
It is important to note that some approved permanent resident applicants are still eligible to visit Canada despite travel restrictions. For example, confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) holders who have received their COPR on or before March 18, 2020, who are exempt.
Weak July PR figures are due to current coronavirus challenges. Traveling during the epidemic has been difficult since March, with flights in and out of some countries. This means that individuals who have received their COPR on or before 18 March may also not be able to complete their permanent residency process in Canada.
Top 15 countries of new migrants in July 2020
Canada’s top 15 source countries for the new PR in July (PR figures in parentheses):
1) India (3,195)
2) China (870)
3) Philippines (865)
4) Pakistan (640)
5) Nigeria (555)
6) Morocco (515)
7) Iran (405)
8) United States of America (405)
9) Algeria (335)
10) France (290)
11) Syria (245)
12) Egypt (225)
13) United Kingdom (225)
14) Cameroon (220)
15) South Korea (205)
Current status of Canadian immigration
Canada is still processing immigration applications during the epidemic and issuing new permanent residency invitations to successful applicants.
Canada’s principal system for managing the economic class immigration applications is called express entry.
The express entry draw has been on a bi-weekly basis since March.
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have issued more express entry invitations to apply for permanent residency (ITAs) on a year-to-year basis.
As the last express entry draw to be held on 2 September, IRCC released 69,950 ITAs in 2020, thus comparing it to 56,200 at the same point in 2019.
Also, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) continues to operate.
Canada is also committed to its 2020-2022 immigration level plan.
When you combine these factors, the IRCC expects Canada’s PR figures to increase after the epidemic is over.