Canada is the second-largest country in the world. Over the years it has become a popular destination for people wanting to migrate to another country. The country is a hot choice because of its natural scenic beauty, large unpopulated areas, bustling cities, multicultural ambience, and various job opportunities for a young and skilled workforce.
Added to this, Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants and facilitating their integration into Canadian society.
Canada set an immigration record in 1913 when it took in 401,000 immigrants which was over 5 per cent of its population in newcomers. The same 5 per cent immigrant intake today will mean 2 million new immigrants coming to Canada.
Immigration targets for 2021-2023
Canada is planning to welcome 1,233,000 new permanent residents over the next three years to help propel an economic recovery after the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Apart from this, immigrants are required to offset the effect of an aging population and a low birth rate. Here are more details:
| Year | Immigrants |
| 2021 | 401,000 |
| 2022 | 411,000 |
| 2023 | 421,000 |
The target figures indicate that Canada will be focusing in high immigration targets— more than 400,000 new permanent residents in the next three years in spite of the pandemic.
These targets have been set with a view to propel the economic growth of the country.
The immigration targets for 2021-23 is set to welcome 60 percent of the immigrants under the economic class program which will include the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Source: CIC news
The influx of immigrants has peaked since 1993 and it continues to grow. More than 90 percent of immigrants tend to settle down in and around large cities such as Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal.
An analysis of the country of origin of immigrants reveals that in the 1970s, the majority of migrants to Canada were from European nations. But today migrants come here from almost 20 countries.
Canada plans to continue its policy of welcoming immigrants to the country while acknowledging their contribution to the country’s economic growth.
Canada needs immigrants
The Canadian government is encouraging immigrants to come and settle in the country because it needs talented workers with the skills and expertise to meet the skill shortage in its industries.
Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers because a major percentage of existing skilled workers belong to the baby-boomer generation which means they will be retiring in a few years and companies will need the workforce to replace them. Apart from this, Canada has one of the world’s oldest populations with more than 18 percent aged 65 and above and it also has the lowest birth rates in the world.
Unfortunately, the Canadian population has not grown in the required pace where they will be skilled workers to replace those who are retiring. Canada has one of the world’s oldest populations with more than 18 percent aged 65 and above and it also has the lowest birth rates in the world. Hence the country is looking at foreign workers for replacement. It is encouraging migrants to come and work in Canada.
Immigrants are required to replenish the workforce and support its economic growth.
Canada offers a Work Permit Visa that allows businesspeople, permanent workers, temporary workers, students and others to work in Canada. You should have a job offer with you before applying for a Work Permit visa. Every year over 300,000 individuals are granted permits to work in Canada. With the Canada Work Permit Visa, you can:
- Work in Canada under the employer mentioned in your work permit application
- Apply for Dependent Visas to call your dependents
- Earn in dollars
- Travel across Canada
- Apply for a PR visa later
Apart from this, there are three categories of open work permits that immigrants can apply for:
- Unrestricted open work permit
- Occupation restricted open work permit
- Restricted work permit
The unrestricted open work permit allows a foreigner to travel to Canada and work there on any job for any employer and at any place. In the occupation restricted open work permit the person can work for any employer but only in a specified job. With a restricted work permit, the individual can change the employer but not the place of work.
As an immigrant, success in finding a job depends on the type of job. Jobs with minimum wages are easily available. For jobs involving skilled labor, prior experience, a valid job offer before arrival is necessary. Applicants must have cleared the Canadian requirements for the specific industry or get retraining for it if possible.
Study opportunities in Canada
Canada has become a popular destination for international students. In 2019 the Canadian government announced $148 million in funds for the next five years to encourage more international students to come and study here.
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) conducted a survey of 14,338 university students in 2018 to find about Canada’s increasing popularity among international students.
Top four reasons why international students choose Canada
- Quality of the Canadian education system
- Tolerant and non-discriminatory nature of Canadian society
- A safe environment in Canada
- Availability of the desired program
Working while studying
International students can work while studying at a Canadian university. They can work both in on-campus and off-campus jobs on a part-time basis for 20 hours a week during the academic session and full-time during the holidays.
Apart from this, Canada offers a Post-graduate work permit or PGWP to international students. The PGWP allows international students to work in the country for up to three years after completing their studies.
The work experience gained through the PGWP proves to be a major advantage when they submit their federal or provincial immigration application which 60% of international students generally intend to do. This was a finding from the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s annual survey of foreign students.
Post-study job opportunities:
If you study in Canada, you have chances of getting a good job, especially if your field of study is information technology or STEM-related fields. Canadian provinces especially Quebec and British Columbia offer several job opportunities.
PR visa options
Canada has a systematic and well-regulated process for migrants wanting to move to the country on a PR visa. The validity of a PR visa is five years which can later be renewed.
The PR visa does not make you a citizen of Canada, you are still a citizen of your native country. As a PR visa holder, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Can apply for Canadian citizenship in the future
- Can live, work and study anywhere in Canada
- Eligible for healthcare and other social benefits enjoyed by Canadian citizens
- Protection under Canadian law
You will have to exclusively apply for the PR visa if you are a student or a worker from a foreign country living in Canada.
Canada offers various immigration programs through which you can apply for a PR visa, but each program has its individual eligibility requirements and application procedure. Some popular programs for getting the PR visa are
Canada follows a points-based system to determine whether you qualify for the PR visa. This is known as the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS.
Support for immigration
There has always been widespread support for immigrants in Canada because the citizens feel that immigration adds a diverse and multicultural characteristic to the country and is crucial to long-term economic growth of the country.
With a government that is immigration friendly, a huge number of job opportunities, excellent facilities for international students and various options to apply for a PR visa, Canada has valid reasons to be voted as the best country to migrate to in 2021.