Immigration numbers in Canada will reach new highs in 2022.
Canada aims to welcome a record-breaking 411,000 new permanent residents in 2022, following the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan.
This is the highest goal that Canada has ever set for itself. During the pandemic, Canada has made no mention of lowering this goal. Sean Fraser, the new immigration minister, has suggested that these levels may be raised even higher to meet labor market demand.
In 2022, the Express Entry lottery will be held.
Candidates hoping to be chosen from the Express Entry pool. With the last all-program draw targeting in December 2020, many people were disappointed by the year-long all-program draw pause that followed.
For most of 2021, Canada has been holding draws tailored to individuals qualifying under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (PNP). Canada has been holding smaller PNP-only Express Entry draws since September 2021. These more minor pulls will help IRCC work through the substantial COVID-19 backlog.
The bulk of IRCC workers was on leave during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the travel limitations, IRCC was unable to complete many permanent residence applications. These repercussions of the pandemic resulted in a large application backlog. IRCC had a backlog of roughly 1.8 million applications as of October 2021.
Despite the difficulties the epidemic caused, it opened a more effective immigration system. IRCC has welcomed more newcomers per month than ever seen in Canadian history in the last quarter. In 2022, we should see an all-program draw as the backlog clears.
Is the CRS score going to drop in 2022
In 2021, Canada took extreme measures to satisfy immigration targets despite travel restrictions. The CRS cut-off for specific Express Entry candidates was lowered to 75, and a temporary permanent residence program was implemented for applicants already in the country. To fulfill the record immigration targets in 2022, the Canadian government may need to drop the CRS cut-off for Express Entry drawings once more.
However, the CRS cut-off will likely be significantly higher for at least the first half of the year due to many candidates in the Express Entry pool.
In 2022, how will the new NOC system impact Canadian immigration?
One meaningful change coming in 2022 will be the new National Occupational Classification (NOC) (NOC). The immigration process relies heavily on NOC codes. When requested to identify their job experience, immigration applicants must provide a NOC number that corresponds to their position.
Economic immigration programs currently use the NOC 2016 version. This framework splits codes into four primary skill levels: A, B, C, and D. The Express Entry pool is presently only open to those with experience skill levels A or B. Nearly half of all NOC codes are at skill level B. Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities will be the six primary “TEER” categories in the NOC 2021. The NOC 2021 was published this year, but it won’t affect until the second part of 2022.
This adjustment will undoubtedly alter who is eligible to apply for the Express Entry pool. While the IRCC has not said how the changes will affect candidates with Skill Level B job experience, probably, some of these candidates will no longer be eligible after next year’s revisions.
In 2022, however, the IRCC may opt to radically modify the way Canadian immigration applicants are chosen from a pool of applicants. The Express Entry pool, for example, may begin to pick candidates based on their NOC code in addition to their CRS score. Canada might hand-pick specific jobs that are particularly in demand by modifying the NOC requirements from draw to draw.
Vaccinations against COVID-19
Almost all temporary residents entering Canada after January 15, 2022, will be required to be completely vaccinated.
COVID-19 rules in Canada have made traveling to, from, or within the nation without being properly vaccinated nearly impossible.
If you plan to visit Canada after January 15, be sure you are entirely vaccinated and have gotten the total dosage of an authorized vaccine at least 14 days before your trip.
You may be free from these restrictions if you are a confirmed permanent resident with a valid COPR travel permit.
Because travel regulations change frequently, it’s crucial to check the government’s online tool to ensure you’re eligible to visit Canada before you go.
Is the Municipal Nominee Immigration Program set to go into effect in 2022?
Since 2019, the federal government has established a Municipal Nominee Program (MNP). While the IRCC has not stated when the program will go into action, it may probably be implemented in 2022. The MNP, like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), will seek to extend the benefits of Canadian immigration to less-populated areas of the country.
MNPs would provide smaller villages and municipalities more control over who they accept as newcomers. The government has yet to declare when this initiative will begin or the eligibility conditions. The immigration programs will most likely resemble PNPs. Communities can choose individuals based on whether their expertise or talents can meet their communities’ demographic or labor market gaps.
MNPs, like PNPs, will likely give candidates who don’t have enough points in the Express Entry pool to be welcomed directly by the federal government more options.
In 2022, as Canada recovers from the impact of COVID-19 on its economy, the government looks to immigration as a solution. Now is a perfect moment to start your immigration journey to Canada, with exciting new immigration changes on the horizon for 2022.
