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Canada broke all the previous records in 2019, by welcoming the highest number of immigrants in a single year. The country also exceeded its annual immigration target by more than 10000 immigrants. Indians constituted almost 25 percent of the total number of newcomers welcomed by Canada in the year 2019.
A total of 341000 immigrants from various countries moved to Canada permanently last year. As per the Immigration Levels Plan 2019-2021, Canada’s annual immigration target for 2019 was only 330800. Almost 58 percent of the total number of immigrants was admitted under the economic class, while 27 percent arrived through the family sponsorship programs. The rest of the immigrants were welcomed under the refugee class.
Indian immigrants to Canada constitute 25%
In 2019, a total of 86000 Indians made Canada their permanent home and India retained its title as the main source country for Canada immigration. Indians were distantly followed by the Chinese, who constituted almost 9 percent of the newcomers in the year. The Philippines became the third major source country, by contributing 8 percent of the total Canada immigrants. The other major source countries were Nigeria, USA, Pakistan, Syria, Eritrea, South Korea and Iran.
Ontario continues to be most popular immigration destination
In 2019, almost 45 percent of the newcomers chose to settle in Ontario. It is two percentage points higher compared to the previous year. Quebec slashing its immigration intake by 20 percent in 2019 is pointed out as a reason for the increased preference for Ontario. British Columbia is the second most preferred destination for immigrants and it welcomed 50,000 immigrants in 2019. Alberta came in the third place, followed by Quebec. Provinces such as Manitoba, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and the territory of Yukon also witnessed a significant rise in immigration intake.
Major cities continue to attract more immigrants
One in three newcomers who arrived in Canada in 2019 chose to settle in the Greater Toronto Area(GTA). It means the region attracted more number of immigrants than the combined total of all the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the territories of Canada. Vancouver was the second leading city as it welcomed 40,000 immigrants, followed by Montreal (35,000) and Calgary (around 20,000). Almost 62 percent of the newcomers who moved to Canada in 2019 settled in the four largest cities of Canada–Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Canada may welcome up to 36k immigrants in 2020
Canada’s immigration target for the year 2020, as per the Immigration Levels Plan 2019-2021, is 341000. As this target has already been met in 2019 itself, it is all likely that Canada would exceed its target this year too, which may go up to 360000. The Immigration Levels Plan for 2020-2022, which will be tabled by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in the near future, will give us more clarity in this regard.
Do you plan to migrate to Canada? Then start your preparations right now! Contact the expert Canada immigration consultants to know more about your options to obtain Canada PR.
