To immigrate to Canada, you can apply through the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs. Canada immigration has been a beacon of hope for skilled workers seeking a prosperous and secure future. This year, however, presents a particularly opportune moment to secure your Canada permanent residence (PR). With ambitious immigration targets and streamlined application processes, 2024 is shaping up to be the prime time to embark on your Canadian dream.
Ambitious 2024 Immigration Targets
The driving force behind this opportune moment is Canada’s commitment to welcoming a significant number of newcomers in 2024. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set a target of admitting 485,000 newcomers, with a strong emphasis on economic Canada immigration programs. This translates to a substantial 281,135 individuals gaining Canada PR through coveted programs like the Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Canada’s Express Entry System
The three immigration programs managed under the Express Entry process are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Express Entry is one of the most efficient pathways to obtain permanent residence in Canada, specially designed for skilled workers who can contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
For those who wish to immigrate to a particular Canadian province or territory, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) provide a route to permanent residence. Every Canadian province and territory have its own PNP tailored to the unique economic and demographic requirements of the region.
These programs prioritize skilled workers with the potential to contribute meaningfully to the Canadian economy. This focus on economic immigration aligns perfectly with Canada’s ongoing labor shortages, creating a favorable environment for qualified applicants.
Lower CRS Scores Through Category-Based Draws
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to rank candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency, out of a possible 1200 points. When multiple candidates have identical scores at the cut-off line, the system prioritizes them based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Historically, securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under Express Entry required achieving a high CRS score. However, the IRCC has introduced category-based draws that concentrate on specific skills and language capabilities. These targeted draws often have lower CRS thresholds, facilitating the invitation of qualified individuals with experience in high-demand occupations or fluency in French to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
In addition to nominating foreign nationals through a paper-based process, provinces and territories (PTs) operating a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can also nominate candidates through the Express Entry pool. Candidates with a PT nomination receive an additional 600 points in their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which generally guarantees an invitation to apply (ITA) at the next round of invitations.
Recent draws have particularly focused on French-speakers and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals, extending invitations to applicants with lower CRS scores compared to the general pool.
This targeted approach provides a golden opportunity for skilled individuals in critical occupations to circumvent the conventional high CRS score barriers.
Provincial Nominee Programs and Faster Processing Times
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer another excellent pathway for obtaining Canada PR. In 2024 alone, PNPs aim to admit 110,000 new permanent residents.
Each province—including Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba—runs its own PNP with specific requirements tailored to its labor market needs. The growing activity in PNPs throughout 2024—with more frequent draws and larger numbers of invitees—broadens the pathways to Canada PR to accommodate a wider range of skills.
Additionally, processing times for Canada PR applications have seen significant improvements. The IRCC is continually working to streamline its procedures, resulting in faster processing times for complete applications. This means shorter wait periods for applicants who can begin their Canadian journey sooner.
