CIMM – Economic Immigration (Fédéral) – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

We welcomed over 437,000 new permanent residents in 2022. Roughly 59% were economic immigrants, selected for skills that can help employers meet their hiring needs.
Over 200,000 economic immigrants have been welcomed so far this year (January to August 2023).

Immigration is essential to Canada’s long-term growth. Through economic immigration pathways, Canada attracts newcomers with the skills our economy needs, to help Canada stay competitive and tackle labour shortages.
This spring, we launched category-based selection to invite Express Entry candidates who meet specified economic priorities and goals. In 2023, categories focus on selecting newcomers with work experience in priority sectors (healthcare; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions; trades; transport; and, agriculture and agri-food) and those with strong French language proficiency.

A number of economic immigration pathways are available across a range of skill levels.
- Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for the Federal High Skilled Programs^{Footnote 1}.
- The Agri-Food Pilot, a pathway for full-time, non-seasonal workers in specific agri-food industries and occupations, has been extended to May 2025 with several changes to be implemented by year-end.
- The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots provide a clear and direct pathway to permanent residence for in-home foreign national caregivers and their families. As of April 30, 2023, the amount of in-Canada work experience required for these pilots was reduced from 24 months to 12 months.
- Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program and Self-Employed Program are facing challenges, with long processing times undermining program objectives. A modernization initiative is underway to address these challenges.