Canadian immigration in 2021: What can we expect?

2020 was the year of the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to have a significant impact on Canada’s immigration system.

After welcoming 341,000 new immigrants in 2019, Canada continued to accept high levels of new immigrants at the start of last year but the immigration system was completely upended when COVID-19 emerged as a global crisis in March 2020.

Canada’s COVID-19 travel restrictions have been in effect since March 18th, limiting the numbers of foreign nationals who can currently enter the country. However, the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and other forms of immigration processing continue to function.

The fluid nature of the coronavirus crisis means much remains uncertain as to what we can expect from Canada’s immigration system in 2021. But, there are certainties in place which will benefit both Canada and future newcomers in 2021 and beyond.