Canada has opened its online system for tracking the progress of immigration applications to Express Entry-linked programs.
Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Provincial Nominee Program applications are now included in those that can be tracked.
It means candidates and their representatives can check the status of applications online.
The application tracker was first launched in May 2021 for citizenship applications and was expanded to include spouse, partner and dependent child sponsorship immigration categories in February 2022.
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In the coming months, online tracking will be expanded for additional types of applications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said.
“For Canada to attract talent from around the world, we must provide the best possible experience for people who want to come here,” IRCC said.
“Improving online tools is an important part of the government’s work to improve client service.
“IRCC is committed to building an immigration system that works well for newcomers, visitors, our businesses and all Canadians.”
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IRCC is currently tackling a vast immigration backlog of more than two million applications for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship.
It was recently reported the department is considering waiving requirements for hundreds of thousands of applications to clear the backlog.
Canada Immigration In 2023
This year promises to be a bumper one for Canada immigration.
IRCC has an immigration target of 465,000 in 2023, including 82,880 in the Federal High Skilled category. That number will rise sharply to 109,020 in 2024 and 114,000 in 2025.
Canada’s 2023 to 2025 Immigration Levels Plan
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||
| Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions | 465,000 | 485,000 | 500,000 | |
| Economic | Federal High Skilled | 82,880 | 109,020 | 114,000 |
| Federal Economic Public Policies | 25,000 | – | – | |
| Federal Business | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,000 | |
| Economic Pilots: Caregivers; Agri-Food Pilot; Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot; Economic Mobility Pathways Project | 8,500 | 12,125 | 14,750 | |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 8,500 | 11,500 | 14,500 | |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 105,500 | 110,000 | 117,500 | |
| Quebec Skilled Workers and Business | 33,900 | To be determined | To be determined | |
| Total Economic | 266,210 | 281,135 | 301,250 | |
| Family | Spouses, Partners and Children | 78,000 | 80,000 | 82,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 28,500 | 34,000 | 36,000 | |
| Total Family | 106,500 | 114,000 | 118,000 | |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad | 25,000 | 27,000 | 29,000 |
| Resettled Refugees – Government-Assisted | 23,550 | 21,115 | 15,250 | |
| Resettled Refugees – Privately Sponsored | 27,505 | 27,750 | 28,250 | |
| Resettled Refugees – Blended Visa Office-Referred | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
| Total Refugees and Protected Persons | 76,305 | 76,115 | 72,750 | |
| Humanitarian and Other | Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other | 15,985 | 13,750 | 8,000 |
IRCC has made abundantly clear its plan to introduce occupation-specific invitations in 2023, a tactic employed by many of the provinces for several years.
This will make Canada’s immigration system even more nimble than it is already.
If an industry such as trucking or an occupation such as nurses has a shortage, IRCC now has the power to address it by targeting that profession with a draw, or a series of draws.
It also sends a clear message to potential application in the targeted field that Canada wants them, which should in theory lead to more invitations.
Canada is in an extremely strong position on immigration, with increased processing capacity, huge annual targets and one of the world’s most sophisticated systems to back that up.