Canadian immigration department, called IRCC, has released a report concerning last year’s PR. It revealed that the nation had surpassed the PR target that it had set in its immigration plan for 2023. As per the data, Canada granted entry to 471550 PR in 2023.

Notably, this figure represents a 33,950 increase over the 437,600 recorded in 2022. Discover the details on the Canadian permanent residence attained by newcomers in 2023. 

Canada Granted Entry to 471550 PR in 2023

IRCC’s PR target for 2023 in its immigration levels plan 2023-2025 was to accept 465,000 permanent residents. However, the number transcends, and Canada has granted Entry to 471550 PR in 2023.

IRCC considered newcomers from different immigration pathways, including the Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry Programs, and their parents, spouses, and children.

Besides this PR data, IRCC has also released the data on how many temporary residents it approved for immigration.

It’s notable that these figures indicate IRCC’s final decision on candidates’ applications, some of which are denials. 

Application for work permits

IRCC finalized 1,646,300 work permit applications, which also included extensions. This number represents 503,330 more applications compared to 2022. Candidates submitted these applications under the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Application for Study permits

IRCC finalized 1,089,600 study permit applications, which also included extensions. In 2022, IRCC processed 917,900 applications for which it made the final decision. This represents an increase of 171,700 study permits compared to the previous year.

Canadian citizenship

As per IRCC data, 293,000 new immigrants gained Canadian citizenship between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. This represents an increase of 13,900 compared to the same period in 2022. This means 279,100 newcomers become Canadian citizens in 2022.

Immigration Levels Plan in Canada

As per IRCC’s permanent residence data of 2023, i.e., a total of 471,550 PRs entered Canada last year, the department is all set to reach its 2024 immigration target. In 2024, IRCC intends to admit 485,000 PR in 2024.

In addition, in 2025 and 2026, IRCC has an immigration target to accept 500,000 new permanent residents.

Each year, IRCC issues immigration targets under the Immigration Levels Plan. It’s typically a plan for three years. Notably, the Plan discusses PR admissions to Canada. It does not include temporary residence admissions like work or study permits.

Notably, the department does not limit the total number of permanent residents who can be granted entry to Canada or whose applications can be processed. 

However, on January 22, IRCC set a cap on how many study permits it will grant in 2024. As per the department, it will grant 360,000 new study permits to international students. However, there is no limit on study permit renewals or for international graduates. 

Besides this, the IRCC department also publicized a ministerial instruction concerning study permits on February 1. It noted that the department will cap the number of study permit applications processed to 606,250.