#ImmigrationMatters: Canada’s immigration system
#ImmigrationMatters: Canada’s immigration system
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How we select, screen and set up immigrants for success in Canada.
Overview
Canada’s immigration system: An overview
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Transcript: “Canada’s immigration system: an overview”
Video length: 1 minute, 41 seconds
Bright ambient piano music plays throughout.
The scene opens on a close-up of 2 people talking, and pans out to a diverse group of people standing outside talking together. Among them is a woman (Maria).
Narrator: Immigration is an important part of the Government of Canada’s plan to keep our economy growing.
The scene transitions to a map of Canada.
Narrator: If it weren’t for immigrants, many employers would have trouble finding enough qualified workers to fill available jobs.
“Hiring” signs pop up in several places on the map.
Narrator: This is because Canadians are living longer and having fewer children. There are more people retiring than there are young Canadians entering the job market.
A couple waves from in front of their house to their child, who is boarding a school bus. The school bus drives away with only a few children on board.
Narrator: This also means there won’t be as many workers paying taxes to support our social services, such as pensions and health care. That’s why Canada has a plan for immigration.
The bus drives by a retirement home. On the front porch, a nurse serves hot tea to a resident.
Title screen displays: “Selection”.
Narrator: Every year, the Government of Canada sets targets for each category of immigrant we allow into the country. The majority of immigrants who come to Canada are selected for their ability to contribute to our economy. Canada also has spaces in the immigration plan to reunite families and to help the world’s most vulnerable.
Text displays: “Immigration categories”.
A pie chart displays 3 categories: “Economic contribution” (approximately 60%), “Reuniting families” (approximately 25%), and “Refugees and humanitarian” (approximately 15%).
Title screen displays: “Screening”.
Narrator: Before they arrive, Canada thoroughly screens immigrants to make sure they are in good health, have not committed serious crimes, and don’t pose a security risk. The health and safety of Canadians is the Government of Canada’s top priority.
We are in front of Maria’s computer screen. As Maria scrolls through her file, text displays on the computer screen: “Medical Test”. Maria scrolls more and text displays on the computer screen: “Fingerprints and Photo (Biometrics)”. A greyscale fingerprint turns green as the text displayed underneath changes from “Biometrics Requested” to “Biometrics Received”. A check mark appears in a box beside the word “Done”. Maria scrolls again to the section “Criminal Record”. The record shows “Clear” in green.
Title screen displays: “Success”.
Narrator: When immigrants succeed, Canada succeeds. That’s why we fund services to help immigrants settle in their communities.
Maria is standing in an office with her employer, and they shake hands.
The scene transitions to a classroom. Maria is sitting at a desk and raises her hand.
Narrator: Settlement services help immigrants adapt to life in Canada and put them on the path to becoming Canadian citizens who give back, work, pay taxes and feel at home in Canada.
The scene transitions to Maria, proudly holding a small Canadian flag in one hand and a citizenship certificate in the other.
The scene transitions to a community garden. Maria plants a flower.
The scene transitions to Maria with her spouse. They pose for a photo in front of their new home.
Narrator (also displayed): Learn more about how immigrants enrich our communities at Canada.ca/immigration-matters.
The text changes to “#Immigration Matters”.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada corporate signature is shown on a black background, followed by the Canada wordmark.
How are immigrants selected?
Immigration must be responsive to our country’s needs. Setting immigration targets is a critical part of how we maintain a well-managed immigration system.
We select immigrants for their potential to contribute to economic growth based on their skills, language abilities and the gaps that exist in Canada’s labour market. We also help people in vulnerable situations find safety in Canada, and we reunite families.
Canada sets targets for the number of immigrants we allow into the country through the Immigration Levels Plan, which is introduced each year. As a part of this process, the public, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, provinces and territories, other government departments, and businesses and organizations that work with immigrants have an opportunity to tell us what they think about the targets before they are finalized.
For the first time, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan will include targets not only for permanent residents, but also for temporary residents like international students and foreign workers.
Immigration remains vital for Canada, and we have a long-standing tradition of welcoming newcomers and helping vulnerable people.
Canada aims to welcome 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
The targets for temporary resident arrivals to Canada in this year’s levels plan are
- 673,650 in 2025
- 516,600 in 2026
- 543,600 in 2027
Through the Provincial Nominee Program, provinces and territories select a number of immigrants to help fill labour gaps and build their communities and economies. Under the Canada–Quebec Accord, Quebec is responsible for selecting economic immigrants and some of the resettled refugees that come to the province.
How are immigrants screened?
To protect the health, safety and security of Canadians, all potential immigrants are carefully screened before being allowed to enter Canada.
Screening makes sure anyone who immigrates to Canada
- hasn’t committed a serious crime
- doesn’t pose a risk to Canada’s security
- hasn’t violated human or international rights
- is in good health (determined by a medical exam)
- has a valid passport or travel document
Anyone applying to live permanently in Canada must provide
- a police certificate or criminal record check
- their photo and fingerprints (biometrics) if over 14 or under 79 years of age
How are immigrants set up for success?
Success in Canada starts with the selection process.
Through the economic immigration category, Canada chooses skilled immigrants who can settle, fill identified gaps in the labour market and contribute to our economy.
The Express Entry system helps us manage which skilled immigrants come to Canada. A comprehensive points system predicts how immigrants will contribute and succeed in Canada.
All the following details are considered in the points system:
- language skills
- education
- work experience
- a valid job offer
- a nomination from a province or territory
Only candidates with the highest scores are sent invitations to apply to immigrate.
Success is sustained through settlement services.
Canada wants newcomers to succeed and have the ability to contribute to our economy, culture and society. That’s why the Government of Canada funds services to help immigrants settle in their communities.
There are more than 550 settlement service organizations across Canada. They help eligible newcomers adapt to life in Canada and
- learn about life in Canada and their community
- get language training
- find work
- make connections with established immigrants and Canadians
Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec is responsible for providing settlement services to its immigrants.
Government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees receive additional support for their first year in Canada. This support includes monthly income support for shelter, food and incidentals.
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