WINTER IMMIGRATION UPDATES
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Message from our President
As we approach the holiday season, I hope you and your families are all safe and sound. Our office is fully operational with our team continuing to work hard on behalf of our valued clients. While we are unable to meet you at our office due to the current lockdown, we are taking advantage of technology to ensure that all of your needs are met. We are also able to offer remote consultations to new clients who are looking for assistance with their immigration-related needs.
I think it is safe to say that all of us are looking forward to the New Year and putting 2020 behind us. We are particularly excited by the Immigration Plan recently revealed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please see below for more details about the plan which very clearly reinforces the importance of immigration to Canada.
On behalf of the entire Solutions Immigration team, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and, most importantly, healthy holiday season.
- Cari Gombinsky
IRCC – 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration
Over the past century, millions of people from around the world have chosen to live in Canada. Each year the IRCC releases an annual report to inform Parliament and Canadians of important information related to immigration to Canada. Here are a few interesting facts found in the 2020 Annual Report presented by Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship:
Population growth in Canada is expected to rely exclusively on immigration by the early 2030s.
Twenty-six percent of workers in Canada are immigrants.
Two thirds of refugees become homeowners in 10 years.
IRCC provides funds to immigrant-serving agencies and social service organizations that provide settlement services to newcomers.
Projected Admission Levels – 2021-2023
In addition to looking back on statistics from 2019, the 2020 Annual Report set out the projected numbers for each immigration category over the next three years. The Immigration Levels Plan, developed in consultation with provinces and territories, stakeholder organizations, and the public, takes into account the unique challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The overall admissions targets are 401,000 in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023. These figures represent a significant increase from the actual number of individuals granted permanent residence in 2019, reflecting Canada’s continued commitment to immigration as a means to support population, economic, and cultural growth.
In 2021 alone, Canada’s goal is to admit between 153,600 and 208,500 individuals in the Federal Economic and Provincial/Territorial Nominees category, 76,000 to 105,000 within the Family Reunification stream, and between 43,500 and 68,000 individuals under the refugee, protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate categories.
Highlights of 2019 Immigration to Canada
Speeding Up the Spousal Application Process
The IRCC recently introduced an initiative to speed up the processing of spousal applications for permanent residence. This initiative reflects the high priority assigned to the goal of family reunification, which is listed as a specific objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Steps taken to reduce the wait time for couples include a 66% increase in the number of decision-makers assigned to spousal applications, as well as pilot projects to digitize paper applications, and the use of technology to allow for remote interviews with applicants.
As a direct result of these initiatives, IRCC set a goal to finalize approximately 6,000 spousal applications each month from October 2020 through to the end of the year.
Online Initiatives
The Canadian government has introduced several helpful tools to support individuals wanting to visit or immigrate to Canada. These initiatives include:
ARRIVECAN – As of November 21, 2020 if Canada is your final flight destination, it is mandatory to submit your travel and contact information, your quarantine plan (unless exempted) and your COVID-19 self-assessment through ArriveCan. You are required to use ArriveCAN online or on the App before you board your flight to Canada, and must show your ArriveCAN receipt to a Canadian border services officer. LEARN
MORE!
ONLINE BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING - As of November 30, 2020, individuals are able to book their own biometrics appointment online. Important Notes: Appointments are required as walk-in service is not available at Service Canada locations; public policies exempting temporary residence applicants in Canada and permanent residence applicants who have enrolled their biometrics in the past 10 years remain in effect. LEARN MORE!
ONLINE CITIZENSHIP TEST- Only available to a limited number of individuals who are notified of their invitation to participate via email. The government plans on expanding this initiative to include more people once the IRCC has fully tested the reliability of the platform. LEARN MORE!
ONLINE SURVEY OF NEWCOMERS TO CANADA - A voluntary and confidential survey to help IRCC identify areas needing improvement in its Settlement Program for newcomers to Canada. Important Note: The deadline to complete this survey is December 18, 2020. LEARN MORE!
Official Study Guide
Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship is the only official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test. The Guide is available for free from IRCC in multiple formats, allowing you to read it online, listen to the MP3 version, download the PDF or eBook order order a paper copy.
Please note that it is very risky to rely on any other material to prepare for you citizenship test.
Click the "Learn More" button to learn more about the Citizenship process and get access to the Discover Canada Guide.
Increasing the Number of Francophone Immigrants
The federal government has set an overall goal of 4.4% of immigrants outside of Quebec to be french-speaking by 2023. The following statement reflects the high priority placed on welcoming a greater number of Francophones to Canada:
“Supporting the development of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec is part of this government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity throughout the country. It is also the right thing to do to help support Francophone communities right across Canada. We will continue to attract Francophone immigrants to make sure that Francophone minority communities flourish.” - The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
One of the most significant changes made by IRCC in order to reach this goal is to award more points to French-speaking Express Entry candidates. On October 27, 2020, the Honourable Minister Mendocino announced that the current number of points will increase from 15 to 25 for French-speaking candidates and from 30-50 for bilingual candidates. These extra points will no doubt lead to an increase in admission of individuals with strong French-language skills. Other initiatives towards the IRCC's goal include the launch of a Francophone Immigration Strategy and greater investment in settlement services for Francophone immigrants.
Help us share the news!
It is our mission to help as many people as possible with their immigration-related needs. We would greatly appreciate it if you would help us in this mission by sharing our newsletter on your Social Media.
We also invite you to like us on Facebook, follow our Instagram page, and visit our YouTube channel. Anyone who likes us on Facebook, follows us on Instagram or shares our newsletter on Social Media between now and December 31, 2020, will be entered into a draw to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. Complete Contest Rules.
