7 Things You Can Expect From Canada Immigration In 2024

Are you planning to immigrate to Canada in 2024? Well, there are new rules and changes you have to keep in mind. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made changes that will affect the aspiring individuals looking for Canada immigration 2024.

With the launch of Immigration Levels Plans for 2024-2026, the government of Canada is targeting to welcome 485,000 permanent residents in 2024. This number will increase in 2025 and 2026. In addition to these numbers, a lot of changes will be seen across several immigration programs and increased usage of AI technology to reduce processing times and enhance client experience.

Changes to Express Entry

To address the pressing labour shortages and demographic needs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based draws under the Express Entry system. The Canadian immigration authorities aimed to find more foreign workers with skills and relevant experience to meet the labour gaps and help boost the economy. 

In 2023 – the first year of these draws, IRCC targeted the following categories:

• Candidates with French language skills 
• Candidates with work experience in the last three years in sectors of – healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Trades, Transport, and Agri-Food/Agriculture

These categories will be targeted in 2024 also but the IRCC will reassess their focus on newer categories – based on the demand in the Canadian labour market. This means new groups of newcomers will get a chance to be eligible for category-based Express Entry system Canada 2024. 

New Guidelines for Provincial Nominee Programs

PNPs are the best way for newcomers to settle in a particular province. It handpicks the candidates that align with the increasing labour market and economic needs of the province. In the new immigration plan for 2024, IRCC is aiming to make PNPs the biggest immigration in Canada. For that, this has already given a set of guiding principles. 

Additionally, new multi-year plans for the PNP are starting this year, which will allow provinces and territories to make better plans and come up with better strategies to know their 2025 goals in advance. How will it benefit immigrants? Newcomers will get a clearer picture of their immigration options. 

New Targets for Parents and Grandparents Program 

Canada is all about family reunification and even considers it as one of the strongest pillars of Canadian immigration. If you wish to sponsor your parents and grandparents to Canada, good news! – IRCC aims to target more family members under their Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). In 2023, Canada targeted 28,500 immigrants through PGP, which will increase to 32,000 in 2024. 

Updates to the International Student Program 

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification system to enhance the integrity of the International Student Program across Canada. This will safeguard the international students and also continue to impact the study permit applicants. 

IRCC has requested Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada to confirm the LOA of every application directly with them, starting December 1, 2023. This is to ensure that study permits are only issued to genuine LOAs. 

Last year in November, IRCC mentioned that it would start conducting a review of its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. This was announced to help international students who intend to apply for Canada PR through this route.

Use of AI to meet immigration goals

With the use of Artificial Intelligence, Canada will aim to out-compete other countries to better the immigration process in 2024. AI will help the authorities process the applications faster, provide tools for IRCC officers, and meet immigration and diversity targets.

This transformation on the digital end will also boost the client experience for immigration candidates in several ways:

• Refining service standards
• Strengthening partnerships with institutions and employers that depend on immigration 
• Making visa applications more user-friendly with the use of virtual and digital technologies

The Newest IRCC advisory board

There is also a plan to create a new advisory body that will focus on the problems related to immigration laws and services. This new board will target to solidify the development of policies and programs in a human-centric approach.

Introduction of a Brand-New Role Called CITO

CITO, also called the Chief International Talent Officer, will be launched in 2024 to align Canada’s immigration system and its labour market and sectoral plans in a better way.

Several changes have been made by the immigration authorities to streamline the 2024 Canadian immigration process. If you are eyeing a permanent residency visa, study visa, or other immigration programs, reach out to the best Canada Visa Consultants in Bangalore, Nationwide Visas. Their well-equipped team of immigration experts will help you explore your options for Canada immigration 2024 and make the entire process as smooth and worry-free as possible.