Permanent Resident (PR) numbers expected to increase later in 2020
We all know that the world has been hit by a pandemic and like every other country Canada has taken special measures to fight the virus. Despite the measures taken, Canada is continuing to process new applications for permanent and temporary residence. Following are some of the highlights:
- Express Entry PR – ICCRC still holding Express Entry draws. More Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR to Express Entry candidates so far in 2020 than same period last year.
- Express Entry ITAs have increased since the start of the pandemic. In April 2020, Canada issued ITAs to 11,700 candidates compared with about 8,000 per month prior to the pandemic.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – It remains in operation in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia (holding draws since March)
- Family class Immigration – It has been least affected by the restrictions. Family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may come to Canada for essential reasons.
Canada should see some recovery in PR levels in the second half of the year when federal government processing normalizes, and as lockdowns and travel restrictions ease, due to more Express Entry ITAs being issued, continuance of PNP and family reunification continuing.
Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino has said that the federal government remains committed to welcoming newcomers to support the country’s economy.
P.S.: Refugee class immigration has been most impacted as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has stopped resettlement amid the pandemic.
This information has been taken from Canada.ca. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to get daily updates!