Our specialist responds

As we could see in the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan released on October 30th, despite the COVID Pandemic, Canada is seeking to increase immigration for the next three years and welcome to the country around 150,000 more permanent residents than its previous prediction, stated at the beginning of 2020.

The government’s decision is certainly based on the impacts of the COVID pandemic on the Canadian economy. Immigrants are now more than ever extremely important to recover the country’s economic growth and development.

Immigration was by far one of the most affected sectors in Canada, mainly due to border and traveling restrictions as well as services disruption at the Canadian visas centers around the world. Most of the applications submitted this year could not be processed yet.

Considering the figures obtained from the Monthly IRCC Updates on the Government of Canada’s website, by September 2020 Canada had admitted 143,000 new residents, way less than the 341,000 set for this year.

Canada has several ways to increase immigration, keeping its focus on skilled, experienced professionals. In our opinion, still taking into consideration the COVID-related restrictions, it makes sense that IRCC starts supporting those already in the country, specially foreign students and workers.

We believe that one of the main streams Canada will use to achieve its immigration targets will be the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program.

Qualify for CEC those who have at least one year of experience working in Canada in one of the NOCs 0, A or B jobs (management jobs, professional jobs, and technical jobs and skilled trades) within the last three years. It is also required minimum CLB 7 for NOCs 0 and A and CLB 5 for NOC B in English or French. Most of the CEC applicants are in Canada and meet the requirements to apply for the Program, however, they do not get enough points to be invited to apply for permanent residency.

Considering the latest 2020 draws specific for CEC candidates, IRCC has issued 34,215 invitations to apply. On June 25, 2020, the cut-off CRS score was 431, one of lowest scores since Express Entry was created.

These numbers show that program-specific express entry draws are the way for Canada to address the needs of temporary foreign workers already in Canada and support qualified candidates, who have been contributing to the Canadian economy and workforce, in becoming permanent residents.

The Government can choose different pathways to increase immigration to Canada next year. How it will be done, nobody is certain about. What is established beyond doubt is that 2021 will be a great year for immigrants pursuing Canadian permanent residency.

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