October Immigration Update, New Directions and Challenges in Canadian Immigration
9 Nov 2024
Canadian immigration policy has been changing rapidly in recent years, and the immigration policy changes announced in October 2024 are seen as a major step forward that will have a significant impact not only on immigrants, but on Canadian society as a whole. While Canada has always embraced the diverse backgrounds and expertise of immigrants to build economic and social stability, the changes go beyond simply controlling immigration numbers to more complex and detailed criteria that take into account how immigrants will contribute to Canadian society.
In October, four general selections and two category-based selections were held. There were two selections for the PNP and two selections for the CEC. Compared to September, the scores remained the same, but the number of invitations tended to decrease slightly in the second selection. Invitations were also made in the French-language proficiency and technical proficiency categories. The BC PNP had five selections, and overall, scores increased in certain areas, while invitations tended to decrease or remain the same.
A big topic of discussion was the revision to the PGWP policy, a post-graduate work permit that took effect on November 1. The revision requires applicants to submit certified language test scores and demonstrate language proficiency at CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. This shows that Canada values a workforce that actually has language skills and can contribute to Canadian society and economy. Additionally, if you are a college graduate, you must have graduated in five relevant fields of study in shortage occupations to apply for the PGWP: agriculture, healthcare, STEM, technology, and transportation. In the future, we will see more immigration policies that are aligned with the needs of the Canadian economy.
We've also seen a tightening of the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) criteria. Now, workers entering Canada in high-wage streams must have a minimum wage threshold that is 20% higher than the median wage in their province. By setting this threshold, we are clarifying our goal of ensuring quality jobs in Canada's labor market. In addition, conditions for low-wage workers have also been tightened, requiring employers to meet additional requirements such as providing housing and transportation for low-wage workers, reflecting the policy intent to ensure workers' basic needs and reduce imbalances in the labor market.
The annual plan for immigration levels has also been announced. On October 24, the Canadian government announced its immigration intake targets for 2025 to 2027, stating that it will phase down the number of permanent residents it will accept each year. This decision reflects the government's concern to address the housing shortage and rising cost of living. Currently, Canada is facing a housing shortage and a rising cost of living crisis. In addition to addressing social instability, the policy is intended to reduce the number of immigrants while prioritizing those who can make a significant economic contribution, in order to ensure housing stability and quality of life for existing Canadians.
This shift in policy is expected to have a significant impact on Canadian society and the economy in the long term. With a more balanced supply and demand of skilled talent in the labor market, and with housing and cost of living issues being addressed, Canada will have a more stable social fabric and be able to pursue sustainable economic growth. On the other hand, with the implementation of tighter immigration policies, there will inevitably be a decline in immigration, potentially slowing population growth for a period of time, and causing labor shortages in some sectors.
Canadian immigration policy is constantly changing, with more detailed and specific criteria, so if you're considering studying, working, or immigrating to Canada, you'll need to be quick on your feet and far-sighted. Especially as the Canadian government strategically plans and strengthens its immigration programs to balance its social infrastructure and labor market, you'll need to find the best way to get where you want to go in Canada. There's never been a better time to study, explore, and find the right way.
Canadian immigration policy has been changing rapidly in recent years, and the immigration policy changes announced in October 2024 are seen as a major step forward that will have a significant impact not only on immigrants, but on Canadian society as a whole. While Canada has always embraced the diverse backgrounds and expertise of immigrants to build economic and social stability, the changes go beyond simply controlling immigration numbers to more complex and detailed criteria that take into account how immigrants will contribute to Canadian society.
In October, four general selections and two category-based selections were held. There were two selections for the PNP and two selections for the CEC. Compared to September, the scores remained the same, but the number of invitations tended to decrease slightly in the second selection. Invitations were also made in the French-language proficiency and technical proficiency categories. The BC PNP had five selections, and overall, scores increased in certain areas, while invitations tended to decrease or remain the same.
A big topic of discussion was the revision to the PGWP policy, a post-graduate work permit that took effect on November 1. The revision requires applicants to submit certified language test scores and demonstrate language proficiency at CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. This shows that Canada values a workforce that actually has language skills and can contribute to Canadian society and economy. Additionally, if you are a college graduate, you must have graduated in five relevant fields of study in shortage occupations to apply for the PGWP: agriculture, healthcare, STEM, technology, and transportation. In the future, we will see more immigration policies that are aligned with the needs of the Canadian economy.
We've also seen a tightening of the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) criteria. Now, workers entering Canada in high-wage streams must have a minimum wage threshold that is 20% higher than the median wage in their province. By setting this threshold, we are clarifying our goal of ensuring quality jobs in Canada's labor market. In addition, conditions for low-wage workers have also been tightened, requiring employers to meet additional requirements such as providing housing and transportation for low-wage workers, reflecting the policy intent to ensure workers' basic needs and reduce imbalances in the labor market.
The annual plan for immigration levels has also been announced. On October 24, the Canadian government announced its immigration intake targets for 2025 to 2027, stating that it will phase down the number of permanent residents it will accept each year. This decision reflects the government's concern to address the housing shortage and rising cost of living. Currently, Canada is facing a housing shortage and a rising cost of living crisis. In addition to addressing social instability, the policy is intended to reduce the number of immigrants while prioritizing those who can make a significant economic contribution, in order to ensure housing stability and quality of life for existing Canadians.
This shift in policy is expected to have a significant impact on Canadian society and the economy in the long term. With a more balanced supply and demand of skilled talent in the labor market, and with housing and cost of living issues being addressed, Canada will have a more stable social fabric and be able to pursue sustainable economic growth. On the other hand, with the implementation of tighter immigration policies, there will inevitably be a decline in immigration, potentially slowing population growth for a period of time, and causing labor shortages in some sectors.
Canadian immigration policy is constantly changing, with more detailed and specific criteria, so if you're considering studying, working, or immigrating to Canada, you'll need to be quick on your feet and far-sighted. Especially as the Canadian government strategically plans and strengthens its immigration programs to balance its social infrastructure and labor market, you'll need to find the best way to get where you want to go in Canada. There's never been a better time to study, explore, and find the right way.