Express Entry & PNP admission targets will rise in the next three years, as stated in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-26. IRCC released this report on November 1. This plan is released every year & highlights how many permanent residents across immigration classes, i.e., economic, family, & humanitarian, are targeted over the next three years.
In addition, in this year’s plan, IRCC has reinforced that economic immigration programs will continue to spearhead Canada’s growth efforts concerning permanent residence. Well, Express Entry & PNP will lead this charge.
What Program Will Lead To Admissions Of Permanent Residents from November 2024-26?
In November 2022, Canada released its 2023-25 Immigration Levels Plan. It was noted that PNP immigration targets had exceeded Express Entry & PNP targets as the nation’s top economic immigration pathway.
Last year, PNPs across Canada invited a total of over 82,500 new permanent residents. The 2023-25 Immigration Levels Plan also showed that IRCC’s PNP target was projected to increase to 105,000 in 2023. Further, targets for 2024-25 were set at 110,000 & 117,500 respectively.
As per the latest Immigration Levels Plan released by IRCC, Express Entry is positioned to retake the top spot among economic immigration pathways in Canada. For 2025 & 2026, the present admission targets have Canada’s PNP slated to be top among all economic immigration pathways in the nation.
Note: Immigration targets might change with time. The numbers mentioned above were provided when the 2024-2026 ILP was initially released.
Breaking Down the Express Entry & PNP Admission Targets
According to the 2024-26 Immigration Levels Plan, below are the number of Express Entry & PNP admission targets:
2024
Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 110,770
PNPs: 110,000
2025
Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 117,500
PNPs: 120,000
2026
Express Entry (Federal High Skilled): 117,500
PNPs 120,000
What Are PNPs & Express Entry?
Here is a short description of what Express Entry & nomination programs are:
Express Entry
Express Entry is an application management system used by Canada’s federal government in order to manage immigration applications from three economic-class immigration programs, i.e., CEC, FSTP, & FSWP.
The country operates two kinds of Express Entry draws, i.e., category-based draws & standard draws.
Standard Express Entry draws emphasize majorly on ranking candidates based on CRS score.
Moreover, it issues ITAs for a number of candidates for permanent residence during every year. Also, candidates will get an ITA if they have a CRS score more than the cut-off score for that specific round of invitations.
Note: An ITA is the only way for an immigration candidate to apply for PR in the nation.
In addition, IRCC started conducting category-based draws to help bring more immigration candidates with relevant work experience so that the country can better address labor market challenges.
Below are the six categories that IRCC has chosen to prioritize via category-based draws this year:
- Work experience in STEM professions
- French-language proficiency
- Work experience in Trade professions
- Work experience in Transport professions
- Healthcare industry work experience
- Agriculture & Agri-Food industry work experience
Provincial Nominee Programs
PNPs offer provincial as well as territorial governments to select immigration applicants to help their region address economic & local labor market challenges.
In simpler terms, PNPs across Canada help to spread the cultural, economic, & social benefits of immigration across the nation in the hope of witnessing more immigration in Vancouver, Montreal, & Toronto.