Based on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2016 Report, Canada is going to welcome about 280,000-305,000 new permanent residents this year. The number of expected newcomers is greater than any previous year, however, Canadian government decreased the total target for some categories in comparison with 2015.

Family Class

The following year is predicted to be beneficial for the spouses and common-law partners of Canadians. Canada expects to increase the number of admissions till the amount between 57,000 to 62,000. The processing time is going to be reduced, resulting in faster family reunions.
On the contrary, the amount of immigrants under the parents and grandparents sponsorship programs will be the same as last year – 18,000-20,000.

Refugees, Protected Persons, and Humanitarian Cases

The category of refugees and Protected Persons will experience the most dramatic increase this year: 51,000 to 57,000 people. In particular:

• Protected Persons in Canada and Dependants Abroad: 10,000-11,000
• Resettled Refugees: 41,000-46,000
• Government-Assisted Refugees: 24,000-25,000
• Blended Visa Office Referred: 2,000-3,000
• Privately Sponsored Refugees: 15,000-18,000

John McCallum, Canada’s Minister of immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, says that Canada is going to welcome more refugees from war-torn Syrian with the purpose to ‘bring in immigrants who wish to build a better Canada.”

Economic Immigration Programs

In 2016, the target for Federal High Skilled Class will vary from 54,000 to 58,400, representing noteworthy cutback from the 68,000 to 74,000 immigrants in 2015. The change is the result of rising the threshold number of points that are mandatory in IRCC’s Express Entry application intake management system to apply for permanent residency. The Canadian Government is also diminishing the number of available spaces for Federal economic Class of Caregivers, which is stated to target 20,000-22,000 people. Concerning the Federal economic Business Class, the government of Canada is expecting between 500-900 immigrants this year.

The 2016 IRCC Report indicates that 46,000 to 48,000 immigrants is going to be admitted under Provincial Nominee Program. Regarding Quebec Immigration Programs, the Liberal Government of Canada sets up the target of 25,500-27,000 immigrants qualified under Skilled Worker and 5,200-5,500 for people applying through Quebec Business Program.

The information is based on Canada’s 2016 Immigration Levels Plan, on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2016 report