Canada will take more immigrants in till 2025: What you need to know

Canada is increasing the number of immigrants they want to welcome in the coming three years. Country's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser released information regarding Canada's immigration level plans for 2023-25 on November 1, 2022.

Here are some of the highlights of the plan:

• Canada plans to welcome 4,65,000 permanent residents in 2023, 4,85,000 in 2024 and 5,00,000 in 2025.
• This is one of the highest immigration targets ever set in Canada. 
• In fact, Fraser also revealed that the country welcomed the highest number of immigrants ever just last year with 4,05,000 newcomers. 

A break up of category of immigrants: There are two major types of programs through which people immigrate to Canada - Express Entry system and Provincial Nomination Programs.

Express Entry System allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada within 6 months or less. Usually, this involves holding a valid job offer. Spouses and other dependents of principal applicants can also apply through this system. 

The targets for Express Entry landings: 

• 2023: 82,880 
• 2024: 1,09,020 
• 2025: 1,14,000 

Then there is the second category of Provincial Nominee Programs, which allows provinces in Canada to nominate people to settle in their provinces. The criterion is decided by each province. 

Targets: 

• 2023: 1,05,500  
• 2024: 1,10,000 
• 2025: 1,17,500 

Likewise, the targets for the Parents and Grandparents Program are also to rise. 

Why is Canada increasingly welcoming immigrants? Canada is facing a major labour crunch while at the same time there are nearly a million job vacancies. 

• Moreover, Canada is also preparing for its future and demographic. Currently, Canada's population is threatened by a low birth rate of 1.4 children per women.
• Also, Canada's ageing population will mean that nearly a quarter of the country's populace will reach retirement age by 2030. 
• Immigrants also provide the country with the means for tax, an important source for Canada's public education and healthcare. 

Indian immigrants in Canada: It is no doubt that Canada has one of the largest immigrant populations from India. In fact, according to a 2021 census, one in five new immigrants in the country were born in India. While in the past, most of the immigrants in Canada came from Europe, the share has increased for those coming from Asia.