The immigration department of Canada, called Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has started establishing a number of measures that will have an impact on all new immigrants coming to the country in 2024. So, here’s an overview of Canadian immigration expectations for 2024. Understanding the projections and prospects for Canadian immigration for the new year can help you facilitate your Canadian journey.

Canadian Immigration Expectations for 2024

According to the immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, released on November 1, Canada has a target to admit nearly 485,000 new PRs in 2024. 

Along with the greater immigration target, Canada is likely to introduce improvements to various programs and employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the client experience.

The following are the improvements and updates to specific programs. 

Changes to Canada’s Express Entry System

This year, in May, IRCC launched the category-based draws under the Express Entry. IRCC started the draws to fulfill Canada’s labor market gaps and demographic needs.

Canada selected to prioritize six categories for 2023 category-based draws to select candidates with:

  • French language abilities 
  • Work experience in five sectors, including healthcare, STEM, Trades, Transport, and Agri-food/Agriculture.

IRCC is projected to carry on with the category-based draws in 2024. 

However, the IRCC has stated that it will re-examine the categories selected for the 2023 draws and perhaps change them based on the evolving demands of the Canadian labor market. 

This means that IRCC might select new sectors and skill areas to prioritize. This will allow a new group of immigrants to be eligible for category draws under Express Entry in 2024.

New Guidelines for Provincial Nominee Program

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs, are prominent immigration pathways that permit regional governments to choose potential candidates who are most likely to support them in bridging the labor market gaps. 

Canada is willing to accept the highest number of newcomers through PNPs as per its latest immigration levels plan targets in 2024.

Besides this, Canada has issued a new set of guiding principles for PNPs to provinces.  

In addition, the department is also planning to implement multi-year plans for the provincial nominee programs in 2024. Due to this, the provinces and territories will be able to plan their immigration strategy more effectively as they will be well aware of their allotment for 2025 a year in advance. 

Overall, as a result of greater planning by each provincial government, these improvements to the PNPs indicate that future new immigrants seeking this immigration pathway should have a clearer view of their alternatives to immigrating to their preferred province or territory.

More Admissions Slots for Parents and Grandparents Program 

In 2023, Canada had an immigration target to admit 28,5000 individuals under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). As per the new immigration levels plan, this target is set to a higher number of PGP immigrants in 2024, i.e., 32,000.

If the IRCC department can enhance its intake management process and better align the application inputs and outputs, more applicants of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) should be able to come to Canada in the upcoming year. This is a notable example of Canadian Immigration Expectations for 2024. 

Canada’s International Student Program Improvements

IRCC has implemented a reformed Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification system that will keep influencing all applicants of study permit. This is in an effort to support the International Student Program’s integrity and enhance the safety of arriving foreign nationals.

Starting this December, all Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada now need to verify every applicant’s acceptance letter with IRCC. 

According to the department, this newly introduced verification process will safeguard future students from fraud and confirm that the study permits are given on the basis of honest LOAs.

In November, the department also declared that In 2024, it will perform a review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.

Notably, many students from overseas who apply for Canadian permanent residence benefit from the PGWP. This is because their work experience is favored in the Comprehensive Ranking System.

The study of the PGWP is likely to lead IRCC to introduce updates that adjust the PGWP to the Canadian labor market demand and also meet the country’s local and francophone objectives.

Canadian Immigration Expectations in 2024: More Modifications to Come

In the upcoming year, IRCC has planned to introduce various notable changes besides these. These updates aim to enhance the newcomer’s experience and their life in Canada going through the immigration process.

Employing technology and AI

The IRCC department is dedicated to increasing the use of technology and AI in the immigration sector in 2024. This is an effort to stand out from other nations and attract talent. 

The department believes that this will equip IRCC officers with improved tools, lower the application processing times, and aid the country in fulfilling its immigration needs and different priorities.

In particular, this digitalization will help enhance the customer experience of immigrants in a number of ways, which include the following, without limitations:

  • Improving its application service standards.
  • Increasing collaboration with institutions and employers depending on immigration.
  • Combating fraud and improving workers’ and students’ safeguards. 
  • Making applications more user-friendly by utilizing virtual and digital technologies.

All the changes mentioned here are a part of Canada’s Digital Platform Modernization initiative.

IRCC’s New Advisory Committee

The IRCC department will also establish a new advisory board to focus on matters concerning immigration policy and service delivery. This committee will have people who have real-world experience in immigration. This will allow new immigrants to Canada to have a greater role in programs and procedures influencing them. 

In addition, this new board aims to support program and policy development. In addition, it guarantees that the immigration system in Canada is focused on a human-centric approach.

Appointment of the Chief International Talent Officer (CITO)

IRCC will appoint an officer for a brand new role designated as Chief International Talent Officer (CITO). This officer’s main responsibility is to improve the coordination between the country’s immigration system and its domestic labor market and sectoral plan.

According to the department, the appointed officer will have a significant influence in shaping Canada’s yearly immigration initiatives. 

So these are some Canadian Immigration Expectations for 2024. Aspiring immigrants to Canada in the upcoming year and beyond should stay updated concerning the developments and projections that may affect them.