The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced plans for significant increases in the total number of permanent residents to be admitted to Canada over the next three years in the 2018 Annual Report to Parliament tabled on October 31, 2018. For the first time in over 15 years, the new plan sets out planned immigration levels for more than a single year. The 2018 target of 310,000 will increase to 330,800 in 2019, 341,000 in 2020 and 350,000 in 2020. The Government of Canada has historically targeted immigration levels equal to 1% of Canada's population and will continue to do so with the new plan.

Many categories are targeted to increase from 2019-2021 such as the Provincial Nominee Program (from 61,000 to 71,300), the Spouses, Partners and Children category (from 68,000 to 70,000) and the Humanitarian and Other category (from 4,250 to 5,000).

Other targeted increases from 2019-2021 include the Federal High Skilled category, which includes the Skilled Worker Program, Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class (from 81,400 to 88,800).

While most programs will see increases, there are two notable exceptions: From 2019-2021, there will be no change in the target for the Federal Business category (steady at 700) and there will be a decrease in the target for the Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office Referred category (down from 1,650 to 1,000).

If you would like more information, please contact Green and Spiegel.


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