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Canada is preparing for a significant increase in immigration intake over the next three years. The Canadian federal government has announced ambitious targets to fill 1 million jobs by recruiting immigrants to supplement key industries, including health care, manufacturing, engineering, and trade.

In 2023, Canada plans to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents, followed by 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. This growth aligns with the country’s strategy to maintain a strong economy and address labor shortages.

The federal business immigration category, which includes the Canada Startup Visa Program and the Self-employed Program, will also see a significant expansion. The intake target for these programs will rise from 1,000 to 3,500 in 2023 and 1,500 to 5,000 in 2024, and up to 6,000 in 2025. This increase aims to encourage entrepreneurship through start-ups under the Start-up Visa Program in Canada, while also reducing processing times for applicants.

More than 27,000 Indians entered Canada in 2020, and over 50,000 were invited to apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Indians now make up about 40% of Canada’s total permanent residents.

Canada’s Immigration Targets (2024-2026) by Immigration Class

Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2024 and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. These targets reflect the country’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled talent and entrepreneurs.

Why Canada Needs Immigrants

Canada, like many countries, relies on immigrants for a whole host of reasons. Mainly, immigration is a surefire way of keeping their economy strong, as Canada has one of the world’s oldest populations and a relatively low birth rate. Immigrants also bring with them much sought-after skills that are in short supply throughout the country. 

Overview of the Canada StartUp Visa Program

What is interesting about the Canada Start-up Visa Program, unlike other immigration programs, is that it doesn’t have rigorous eligibility criteria of age, education, or ties to Canada in terms of prior work, study, or family. It is not required to have an advanced level in English, French, or both languages but the entrepreneur must meet the minimal level of the basic Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in one of the languages to run a business successfully.

Another advantage of the Start-up Visa Program in Canada is that once the applicants obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Canada, the government won’t check if the business is successful and has employed Canadians. In other words, the entrepreneurs will be able to retain their permanent residency irrespective of the success or failure of the business.

The Start-up Visa Program has been a successful immigration program over the past years and continues to be an opportunity for prosperity for Canada.

Impact of Immigration on Indian Applicants

Indian applicants have long been one of the most common nationalities applying for Canadian migration.

Indian applicants need to note that there is no dual nationality allowed for Indians. This means that when the Canadian passport is obtained, an Indian national may have to surrender their Indian passport. However, they can still maintain many benefits in India by obtaining the OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) status while carrying their new passport. 

Final Thoughts: The Future of Immigration in Canada

Canada has long been one of the most welcoming countries for migrants from around the world. It has quickly become one of the most multicultural countries globally with over 85 immigration programs to fit the needs of varying individuals.

There are no current plans to slow down immigration, with the Immigration Minister announcing increases in incoming migration goals on an annual basis. The Start-Up Visa program specifically has become a hot topic as it encourages investment in Canada, invites skilled individuals for immigration, and also works to make Canada a new hub of innovation and start-up culture. 

Immigration Consultancy in Dubai

Step Global, an immigration consultancy based in Dubai, specializes in citizenship and residency by investment programs. They can assist you with your applications for the Portugal Golden Visa, the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the Canada Start-Up Visa, the Caribbean Citizenship Program, and the UAE Golden Visa.

FAQs

Canada will look to welcome 1.5 million new immigrants over the next three years as part of its Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026.

Canada has ambitious immigration targets over the next three years, aiming to welcome 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026.

Canada will use a whole host of immigration programs in order to meet its intake goals for 2024-2026. Some of the immigration programs include the Express Entry System, Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Start-Up Visa Program, Temporary Foreign Worker Program, International Mobility Program, and Caregivers Program to meet its immigration intake goals.

Canada hopes that their increased immigration targets for 2024-2026 will stimulate the economy as well as bring new skills into the international workforce, and foster more diversity in terms of their culture.

International students will benefit from the increased immigration targets for 2024-2026 because it stimulates a thriving economy and job market, therefore there are ample opportunities for students to progress in the next steps of their post-graduate careers.

The first step is being prepared for life in  a new country and culture that is not their own. Places like Canada require language tests for all immigrants to ensure that they can smoothly integrate in Canadian society, aiding both the immigrant to more smoothly bed in to their new environment and Canada as a country ensuring all of its residents can speak a common language.

Picture of by Preeya Malik

by Preeya Malik

MD, Step Global

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