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In 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) commenced implementing a range of modifications that will impact individuals newly arriving in Canada.

As outlined in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is set to embrace 485,000 permanent residents (PRs) in the year 2024. In tandem with this heightened immigration quota, Canada anticipates implementing enhancements across diverse programs, utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance and streamline the overall client experience.

Changes to the Express Entry System

Starting in 2023, the IRCC initiated category-specific Express Entry draws. These draws were introduced to assist Canada in identifying foreign nationals who are most qualified to fulfill the nation’s critical labor shortages and demographic requirements.

During the inaugural year of category-focused draws, the IRCC opted to give precedence to immigration candidates falling under the following categories:

• Individuals possessing proficiency in the French language.
• Candidates with recent work experience in any of the following five industries: Healthcare; Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM); Trades, Transport, and Agri-Food/Agriculture.

In the year 2024, IRCC is anticipated to persist in conducting draws based on categories. Nevertheless, the department has explicitly stated its intention to review the focus categories selected for the year 2023 and may adjust them in response to evolving demands in Canada’s labor market. This implies that IRCC might select new sectors and skills as focal points, potentially expanding the eligibility of fresh groups of newcomers for category-based Express Entry draws in the upcoming year.

Revised Guidelines for the Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) serve as immigration channels empowering regional governments to selectively choose candidates capable of effectively addressing gaps in the labor market. As per the most recent Immigration Levels Plan by the IRCC, PNPs are anticipated to constitute the largest immigration pathway in the country by immigration targets in 2024.

The PNPs have recently been equipped with a fresh set of guiding principles, which are outlined in detail here.

Starting in 2024, IRCC is implementing new multi-year plans for the PNP. This initiative will empower provinces and territories to enhance their immigration strategies by providing them with a one-year advance notice of their 2025 allocation, facilitating better planning.

Collectively, the latest advancements in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) signify that individuals aspiring to follow this immigration route now have a more defined understanding of their opportunities to move to their preferred province or territory. This enhanced clarity is a result of improved strategic planning by regional governments.

Increase the available spots for admissions in the Parents and Grandparents Program.

In 2023, Canada set a target to invite 28,500 immigrants under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

By 2024, the most recent Immigration Levels Plan suggests an increase in PGP targets to 32,000. If the IRCC successfully enhances “intake management and the alignment of [application] inputs and outputs,” a higher number of PGP applicants could potentially immigrate to Canada in the upcoming year.

Improvements to the International Student Program in Canada.

To enhance the integrity of the International Student Program throughout Canada and provide improved safeguards for incoming foreign nationals, IRCC has introduced an updated verification system for the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). This reformed system will have a lasting impact on all individuals applying for study permits.

Starting December 1 of this year, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) throughout Canada must now “verify each applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with IRCC.” The objective of this “enhanced verification process, introduced by the department, is to safeguard potential students from fraud and ensure that study permits are granted solely upon genuine Letters of Acceptance (LOAs).”

In November, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) revealed plans to conduct a comprehensive review of its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program throughout 2024. The PGWP is particularly advantageous for numerous international students aspiring to apply for Permanent Residency (PR), given that the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns favorable importance to Canadian work experience.

This evaluation is anticipated to lead to the implementation of changes by IRCC, aiming to enhance the alignment of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) with the requirements of the nation’s labor market, along with regional and Francophone immigration objectives.

Additional information: Keep yourself informed about upcoming stories from CICNews covering important developments for Canada’s international student community in 2024.

Canadian immigration is set to undergo further modifications in the coming year.

IRCC has pledged to implement various additional changes aimed at enhancing the journey and quality of life for newcomers navigating the immigration process in Canada.