Canada new immigration 2017

Here are some key updates on Canada's new immigration policies and programs for 2017:

Express Entry System:

• The Express Entry system was introduced in January 2015 to manage applications for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
• In 2017, the Express Entry system continued to be the primary pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.
• The Express Entry draw process, where candidates are selected from the pool based on their ranking score, continued to be used.

New Immigration Levels Plan:

• In November 2016, the Government of Canada announced a new Immigration Levels Plan for 2017-2020, which aimed to welcome 300,000 new permanent residents to Canada each year.
• The plan included targets for various immigration programs, including the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship.

New Programs and Initiatives:

• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: Launched in March 2017, this pilot program aimed to attract skilled workers to the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
• Global Skills Strategy: Introduced in June 2017, this program aimed to attract highly skilled workers to Canada and provide a faster and more streamlined process for hiring foreign workers.
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program: Launched in January 2017, this pilot program aimed to attract skilled workers to rural and northern communities across Canada.

Changes to Immigration Programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: In 2017, the Federal Skilled Worker Program underwent changes to its points system, with a greater emphasis on language proficiency and education.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: The Federal Skilled Trades Program also underwent changes, with a greater emphasis on work experience and language proficiency.

Key Statistics:

• In 2017, Canada welcomed over 286,000 new permanent residents, exceeding the target of 280,000.
• The top countries of origin for new immigrants to Canada in 2017 were India, China, the Philippines, and the United States.
• The majority of new immigrants to Canada in 2017 were admitted under the Express Entry system (64%), followed by family sponsorship (23%), and Provincial Nominee Programs (10%).

These are just a few of the key updates on Canada's new immigration policies and programs for 2017. If you have any specific questions or would like more information, feel free to ask!