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Due to Canada's ongoing labour shortage, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the country's new Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 to welcome nearly 500,000 immigrants yearly. By 2025, Canada plans to welcome 1.45 million immigrants. The country's goal is to maintain, if not boost, economic prosperity.
Canada's New Immigration Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 Highlights
"Last year, we welcomed the most newcomers in a single year in our history," the immigrant minister said in a press release. "This year's immigration levels plan will help businesses find the workers they need, set Canada on a path that will contribute to our long-term success, and allow us to make good on key commitments to vulnerable people fleeing violence, war, and persecution."
The key highlights of Canada's new immigration plan include:
Reuniting families relatively quickly
Focusing on economic growth for the long-term
Creating more regional programs via the Provincial Nominee, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Atlantic Immigration Program to assist local labour market needs
Making certain at least 4.4% of permanent immigrant residents who reside outside of Quebec are "Francophone" and can therefore speak French
Utilizing the country's Express Entry system to help new residents with various skills and qualifications find jobs in the industries that need them, such as manufacturing, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), building trades, and health care
Providing a safe haven for foreign individuals experiencing persecution and therefore dampening crises across the globe
At this time, immigrants make up nearly 100% of Canada's labour force growth. By 2032, these individuals are expected to account for the country's population growth. These statistics are partly due to the northern country's aging population, with the work-to-retiree ratio expected to increase by two to one by 2035. Some 50 years ago, this ratio was seven to one.
Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry Increased Allocations
Most of the newcomers in the new plan will come through economic immigration programs. Under the new Immigration Levels Plan announced on November 1, both the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Express Entry will have increased allocations:
The increased targets for Express Entry are:
- 82,880 in 2023
- 109,020 in 2024
- 114,000 in 2025
The increased PNP targets are:
- 105,500 in 2023
- 110,000 in 2024
- 117,500 in 2025
Increased Parents and Grandparents Program Targets
Targets for the Parents and Grandparents Program will rise to 28,500 in 2023, 34,000 in 2024, and 36,000 in 2025.
Sean Strickland, the Executive Director of Canada's Building Trades Union (CBTU), believes this initiative will help Canada's labour shortage.
"Canada's Building Trades Unions are pleased with today's announcement to increase immigration levels in Canada," Strickland said in a statement. "Historically, it has been through immigration that we have been able to grow our workforce, fill our union halls and build Canada's infrastructure. Increased economic immigration is an important step to addressing labour availability across the country, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Minister Fraser and the federal government to find the solutions we need going forward."
Do you have questions about immigration law in Canada? Call Ackah Law to schedule a consultation with an immigration lawyer today.
Benefits of Working With An Immigration Lawyer
While hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer is not required when seeking immigration status, it is recommended. A lawyer with experience in this field helps would-be immigrants fill out the often-complex application forms and ensures they are correct since missing or incorrect information creates untimely and expensive delays. Such lawyers are also proficient in the latest immigration regulations and permits and provide assistance in the event of permit issues and other "roadblocks."
Additional advantages of hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer include helping with appeal processes. Sometimes, an immigrant's initial petition gets denied, such as:
Filing the documents incorrectly (usually because the individual did not work with a lawyer)
Criminal convictions
Insufficient proof of a "bonafide" marriage
Lacking or missing evidence
Not being prepared for the immigration interview
Filling out application form questions incorrectly or not at all
In case of a petition denial, an immigration lawyer helps the potential immigrant quickly and correctly appeal the denial.
Quick Facts About Canadian Immigration and Citizenship
To help navigate immigration processes in Canada, it helps to learn more about the country's visa and citizenship policies:
Canada provides three min visas types: work, travel, and student
Entry visas are not required for European Union (EU) residents for six-month stays
Entry visas are required for non-EU residents
It takes nine months to obtain a work visa in Canada
It takes five years to become a permanent resident of Canada, assuming the individual has remained in the country for at least two consecutive years
Permanent residence status is also available through specific programs and may not require waiting five years
It takes five years and living in the country for at least two consecutive years to obtain Canadian citizenship
Federal tax benefits are available to some ex-pats, depending on the industry they work in
Citizenship or residency by investment is available via Provincial Nominee programs
What to Look For In A Canadian Immigration Lawyer
In addition to significant experience helping clients obtain Canadian citizenship, it is a good idea to look for a lawyer who uses the latest technology to provide 24/7 support. Such support is available to immigrants regardless of where they currently reside. Other things to look for in the right lawyer include flat fee pricing, which sidesteps hidden fee "surprises" and allows clients to make financial plans accordingly.
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Call Now to Start Your Immigration Journey to Canada
If you wish to become a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, contact Ackah Law. This award-winning firm with offices in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto offers a combined 50 years of experience and is available 24/7 to help immigrants reach their goals. The lawyers at our practice serve residents from Canada, the United States, and adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Whether you wish to immigrate for work, personal or education-based reasons, our immigration lawyers are here to make the process as straightforward as possible. Call 403-452-9515 today to get started on your exciting journey, or schedule a consultation online. Both corporate and personal immigration services are available.
