Are you planning to work or move to Canada? If yes, then this is the right time to plan. The good news for you is that Canada has a big plan to grow its economy by welcoming about 500,000 new people every year from 2024 to 2026. This plan is about bringing in more people to Canada to make the country more diverse, help with jobs, and encourage new ideas.
Canada wants to invite skilled workers, families, and refugees from all over the world. This is one of the biggest and most open plans Canada has ever had for letting people move the country. The goal is to make the country's economy stronger and make Canada a more welcoming and varied place. Read further to know what all Canada has to offer and how you can plan to take advantage.
An Overview – Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan
Every year, the federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a new Immigration Levels Plan for how many people they want to welcome to Canada.
In 2023, IRCC plans to welcome over 465,000 new immigrants to Canada. In 2024, they aim to welcome over 485,000 new permanent residents (PRs).
For both 2025 and 2026, Canada plans to welcome even more immigrants, aiming for about 500,000 newcomers each year. Refer to the below table to understand the summary of Canada's immigration targets for 2024-2026 by different categories of immigrants.
Immigration Class | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
Economic | 281,135 | 301,250 | 301,250 |
Family | 114,000 | 118,000 | 118,000 |
Refugee | 76,115 | 72,750 | 72,750 |
Humanitarian | 13,750 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
Total | 485,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 |
What is Canada's Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026
Here is the Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for you to understand what all it covers and how you can approach to plan your journey of working or immigrating to Canada:
Immigrant Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
Target | Target | Target | ||
Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions | 4,85,000 | 5,00,000 | 5,00,000 | |
Economic | Federal High Skilled | 1,10,770 | 1,17,500 | 1,17,500 |
Federal Economic Public Policies | - | - | - | |
Federal Business | 5,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | |
Economic Pilots: Caregivers | 10,875 | 14,750 | 13,750 | |
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program | 6,500 | 8,500 | 8,500 | |
Provincial Nominee Program | 1,10,000 | 1,20,000 | 1,20,000 | |
Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | To be determined (Read below) | To be determined (Read below) | To be determined (Read below) | |
Total Economic | 2,81,135 | 3,01,250 | 3,01,250 | |
Family | Spouses, Partners, and Children | 82,000 | 84,000 | 84,000 |
Parents and Grandparents | 32,000 | 34,000 | 34,000 | |
Total Family | 1,14,000 | 1,18,000 | 1,18,000 | |
Refugees and Protected Persons | Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 27,000 | 29,000 | 29,000 |
Resettled Refugees - Government-Assisted | 21,115 | 15,250 | 15,250 | |
Resettled Refugees - Privately Sponsored | 27,750 | 28,250 | 28,250 | |
Resettled Refugees - Blended Visa Office-Referred | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
Total Refugees and Protected Persons | 76,115 | 72,750 | 72,750 | |
Humanitarian and Other | Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 13,750 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
Francophone Permanent Resident Immigration outside of Quebec | 26,100 | 31,500 | 36,000 |
Note: Quebec Skilled Workers and Business: According to the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec independently selects immigrants bound for its province, except for those in the family class and protected persons categories. Additionally, Quebec presents its immigration plan at the National Assembly of Quebec annually by November 1st or within 15 days after resuming work post-election. The estimated admissions targets for Quebec's economic programs, which contribute to the overall economic targets in the federal plan, are as follows: 37,990 in 2024, 34,500 in 2025, and 35,500 in 2026.
*Source: www.canada.ca
Overview of immigration class breakdown
Here is a what you need to know about the immigration class breakdown in detail:
1. Economic class – Immigration's central pillar
At the heart of Canada's immigration strategy lies the Economic Class, aiming to draw skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. Plans are in motion to expand from 281,135 individuals in 2024 to 301,250 by the years 2025 and 2026.
Prominent initiatives within this category include the Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class via the Express Entry system, showcasing Canada's strategy for attracting worldwide expertise.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Made to meet the unique economic demands of its provinces and territories, Canada's PNP selects candidates whose skills align with these localised needs, underscoring their significance within the national immigration framework.
3. Family – Bringing families together
Highlighting the importance of family and community, Canada prioritises bringing families together, offering multiple avenues for the reunion of spouses, partners, children, and elderly family members.
4. Refugees and protected persons – Upholding humanitarian values
Committed to its humanitarian mission, Canada provides refuge to those escaping danger and persecution, with its objectives mirroring the worldwide humanitarian landscape and Canada's capabilities.
5. Humanitarian and other categories – Helping people in need
This segment accommodates individuals under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, adapting to international circumstances and internal priorities.
Why does Canada need immigrants?
Canada encourages a lot of people from other countries to come and live there to help its economy stay strong. Here are several reasons why Canada needs more immigrants:
The country has an aging population and a low birth rate, causing economic challenges.
Fewer young workers lead to lower economic growth and less tax revenue for social services.
Since the late 1980s, Canada increased immigration to grow its population, workforce, and economy.
Immigration is essential for most of Canada's population and labour force growth.
By 2030, 9 million Canadians will retire, increasing the need for workers.
Canada has welcomed over 200,000 immigrants annually since 1988 and raised the number to over 400,000 in recent years.
Canada's immigration rate is three times higher per capita than the US.
Continued immigration is crucial for maintaining a healthy economy and supporting government spending.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of immigration due to economic impacts and increased social spending.
The birth rate dropped to its lowest in 2019, and the pandemic may further decrease it, making Canada more reliant on immigration.
Immigration will play a key role in expanding the labour force and supporting government finances, especially post-pandemic.
The role of IELTS in Canadian Immigration
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) plays an important role in Canadian immigration processes, acting as a primary tool for assessing the English language proficiency of potential immigrants. Understanding the significance of IELTS within the framework of Canada’s immigration policies provides insight into why taking an IELTS test is crucial for you. Here's an exploration of the role of IELTS in Canadian immigration:
1. Language proficiency assessment
IELTS is the most important test for assessing English language skills, required for immigration to Canada, particularly for those applying through economic immigration programs.
2. Economic immigration
A higher IELTS score can boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
3. Eligibility criteria
Different immigration programs require varying minimum IELTS scores, with the Federal Skilled Worker Program demanding at least 6.0 in each language ability (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
4. Proof of language proficiency
Submitting a valid IELTS score is essential for most economic and family class immigration applications, serving as proof of English language proficiency.
5. Integration into Canadian society
A good IELTS score reflects the applicant's ability to communicate in English, essential for employment, education, and integration into Canadian life.
6. Continuous requirement
Language proficiency, evidenced by IELTS scores, is important for certain professional certifications and applying for Canadian citizenship post-immigration.
If you are planning to move to Canada to work, be with your family, or any intended purpose for immigration then this is the perfect time for you to plan. Top of Form
Read more: Achieve your Canada dream with IELTS
Additionally, if you want to take an IELTS test as proof of English language proficiency when immigrating to Canada and have questions related to the same, then you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centre. Our team of IELTS experts will guide you with all your queries.