Outcomes of the Pandemic:
As the covid-19 pandemic enters its third year, it remains a challenge, prompting the Canadian Immigration System to revise its Immigration Levels Plan for 2022. While the pandemic continues to impact, some developments in Immigration to Canada Express Entry have emerged. Canada is constantly upgrading its overseas travel limitations while maintaining a commitment to accomplishing the goals of its three-pronged immigration strategy of increasing the economy, reuniting families, and assisting those in need.
Changes in the Program:
The pandemic’s ramifications may have resulted in a massive application backlog in immigration to Canada Express Entry, about 1.8 million applications in October 2021. Despite the difficulties during the pandemic, it paved a more efficient immigration system. IRCC has welcomed more immigrants each month in the last quarter than at any time in Canadian history.
PNP Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan’s PNP program is known for having an “easy PNP.” It might be due to the wide range of immigration alternatives available to applicants. With an economy focused chiefly on agriculture, it’s one of the fastest-growing economies and populations in the world. For its favorable immigration record, PNP Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s most popular destinations for newcomers. The province used to welcome 3,000 to 4,000 newcomers every year, but that number has now surged to 15,000 individuals.
New Immigration Plans:
Two new immigration level plans for new permanent residents are included in the Immigration Levels Plan 2022. The government estimates to accept 411,000 new immigrants in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023, as per the Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023. The first batch might arrive in February, with the second following in November.
Increase in Express Entry Immigration Applications:
In comparison to applicants from the CEC (Canadian Experience Class) and PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) in 2021, there will be even more immigration to Canada Express Entry applications in 2022. The FSW (Federal Skilled Worker) program, which was the primary source of applicants prior to the epidemic, has been left out of this year’s drawings. Sean Fraser, the new immigration minister, has suggested that these limits might be boosted even higher to fulfill labor market demand.
New MNP (Municipal Nominee Immigration Program):
Since 2019, Canada has been working on implementing a Municipal Nominee Program (MNP), which might be introduced as early as 2022. The MNP will share the advantages of Canadian immigration throughout less populous areas of Canada, similar to the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program). MNPs would empower smaller communities and municipalities to select newcomers based on their expertise or talents to address demographic or labour market shortages in their areas.
Citizenship Applications:
The IRCC has agreed to make Canadian citizenship applications free, a commitment made in 2019 before the pandemic impacted Canada’s immigration priorities. In addition, all citizenship aspirants, including their families, will be allowed to apply online.
Trusted Employer System:
The Canadian government has been considering creating a Trusted Employer system for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for some years (TFWP). This would allow reputable employers to use the TFWP to fill open positions more swiftly.
Afghan Refugees:
Due to several variables such as rising labour shortages in Canada, application backlogs, and the federal government’s vow to relocate 40,000 Afghan refugees, even elevated amounts are possible. Minister Fraser has stated that the government is open to higher levels provided employers and communities in Canada support the proposal.
PGP 2022:
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2022 is still to be announced by IRCC. However, Canada will continue to recruit 23,500 immigrants under the PGP this year.
A Drop in the CRS score in 2022:
Despite travel limitations, Canada adopted extraordinary measures to reach immigration quotas for the year 2021, lowering the CRS cut-off to 75 for some immigration to Canada Express Entry candidates and implementing a temporary permanent residency program for applicants already in the country.
New NOC Codes for Canadian Immigration in 2022:
In the second half of 2022, new NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes may be adopted. Previously, they were only employed in economic immigration programs, but they are now a necessary component of the immigration process. Applicants for immigration may be required to identify their job experience by supplying a NOC code that corresponds to their position.
Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities will be the six primary “TEER” elements that NOC 2021 will focus on. The codes are divided into four skill levels using this code structure: A, B, C, and D. Those with experience skill levels A or B are currently eligible to join the Express Entry pool. However, nearly half of all NOC codes have been at skill level B.
Now is a perfect time to start your immigration journey to Canada, with exciting new immigration changes on the horizon for 2022.