As the world adapted to the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian immigration system underwent significant changes in 2022 to accommodate the evolving needs of the country.
This year, IRCC continued to assess Canada’s economic and sociocultural needs through immigration, resulting in new and significant developments. Immigration could be significantly affected by these changes in 2023.
New Immigration Level Plan 2023-2025
On November 1st, 2020, IRCC unveiled its ambitious three-year plan to welcome over 1.45 million newcomers to Canada between 2023 and 2025. This plan encompasses IRCC’s immigration streams – economic, family, humanitarian, and refugee. A significant impact is expected on the country as a result.
It is estimated that 500,000 people will immigrate each year by 2025. Canada’s primary economic immigration route may also be replaced by the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which will replace Express Entry.
Historical immigration levels haven’t been at this level since the turn of the century. They also emphasize the importance of immigration as a possible COVID-19 recovery strategy.
The return of Express Entry in 2022
Express Entry draws were reintroduced in Canada for the first time since December 2020 in July, marking a milestone in the recovery from COVID.
The Express Entry system is responsible for accepting a large number of economic immigrants each year. This includes the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. These three programs have been combined in order to make it easier for immigrants to apply for and be accepted into Canada.
Foreign students are allowed to work more than 20 hours per week
From 15 November 2022, foreign students will be permitted to work for more than 20 hours per week while they are attending classes. As a result of this adjustment, part-time student employment is no longer limited to 20 hours per week throughout academic semesters, as it was previously.
Until the end of 2023, students may work off-campus jobs as many hours as they wish during academic semesters. Food services, retail, and hospitality sectors are commonly employed by students, causing Canada’s historic labor shortages to be addressed.
Changes in NOC 2021 and included eligibility for Express Entry
On November 16th, 2022, the Canadian government introduced the 2021 NOC system. It is used to categorize and describe various occupations in the country. Using the NOC system, employers, job seekers, and immigration authorities can gain a deeper understanding of the work opportunities and qualifications required for each occupation in Canada. The 2021 NOC is an update of the 2016 NOC. And it includes new occupations, new skill levels, and new titles for existing occupations. The NOC system is based on internationally accepted standards and is regularly updated to reflect Canada’s changing labor market.
As a result, the Express Entry system now includes 16 new occupations. These occupations must be qualified by updating TEER – (Training, Experience, Education, and Responsibilities) codes. Three occupations were also delisted from Express Entry due to the modification.
After the NOC adjusted IRCC systems, unexpected errors occurred that affected some Express Entry candidates.
New immigration pilot program introduced by New Brunswick
Earlier this month, Immigration and Opportunities New Brunswick introduced a new immigration pilot program to bring in critical employees. Its emphasis on assisting newcomers in settling down is a hallmark of the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP).
This program consists of six carefully selected firms whose immigrant settlement services are established—namely manufacturers, food producers, farmers, and aquaculturists. Immigrants are welcome to apply to the NBCWP as part of an IRCC project to recruit more workers for remote areas of the country.
Open Work Permits are now available to families of LIMA-based work permit holders
A historic labor shortage and an aging workforce led the IRCC to change its policy in an unusual way to take advantage of the potential workforce in Canada. Applicants for Open Work Permits (OWP) with LMIA bases may now do so on behalf of their families.
Holders of OWPs are eligible to work in most industries for any employer. By contrast, work permits issued under the LMIA are linked to specific employers.
The new effort is scheduled to launch in three stages beginning in January 2023.
Express Entry will prioritize certain occupations in 2023
Both chambers of parliament voted in favor of Bill C-19 on June 23. Express Entry applicants can be divided into categories based on policy objectives (such as in-demand professions) and ITAs to each category according to a clause in the bill.
To meet Canadian labor market demands, this bill seeks to further exploit the Express Entry system. By replacing CRS with the new policy change, Canada can better address workforce shortages.
A look at the broad trends for 2023
2023 could be significantly impacted by the transformations implemented in 2022, including but not limited to:
Strengthened initiatives to integrate newcomers into various locations across Canada.
It is evident that this notion is supported by the strength of the Atlantic Immigrant Program (AIP), the growth of the Provincial Nominee Program, and the NBCWP. Immigrants may be welcomed in sparsely populated areas with aging populations via the IRCC.
Immigrants target specific professions.
A strategy aimed at reducing barriers to permanent residency for physicians has been announced by the IRCC. One of the most sought-after professions in recent years, in order to address record job vacancies in 2023. With immigration becoming increasingly important to IRCC, this theme will likely recur.
Continuing to maximize Canada’s potential workforce.
In light of the ongoing overqualification of immigrants and continuing labor shortages, the IRCC has already taken steps to remedy this. There has been an increase in the number of OWPs available to families of LMIA-based work permit holders. And healthcare professionals now receive financial assistance for immigrant accreditation. These adjustments imply Canada’s desire to better utilize the immigrant talent already present in the nation.
