In the next three years, Canada will be welcoming more than 1.45 million new immigrants across different immigration streams in the hope of assimilating and settling these newcomers to make the economy, demography, and culture robust of the country. Interestingly, there are major sources of Canadian immigration.
The arrival of these immigrants is vital for a healthy economy in Canada. Therefore, the country incorporates newcomers as permanent inhabitants and helps them stay and eventually become citizens with strong ties and vested interests in Canada’s growth and development.
As a country with the most prominent immigrants, knowing where they hail from can be pertinent. The fresh IRCC data offers some interesting insights into this question!
Major Sources of Canadian Immigration Of 2022
In 2022, over 374,554 permanent inhabitants turned into Canadian citizens.
This is a massive increase from 2021, wherein the number was relatively small, i.e., 137079 people were transformed into citizens. In addition, there was a moderate increase from pre-pandemic numbers, i.e., 250,000 people became citizens. This is a good sign for the Canadian immigration system as it is returning to its normal functioning & addressing domestic needs as required.
One of the major sources of Canadian Immigration in 2022 was India, followed by the Philippines and Syria.
Here are the top ten major sources of Canadian immigration, wherein most people transitioned to Canadian citizens.
- India (59,503 PRs became citizens)
- The Philippines (41,540 PRs)
- Pakistan (15,188), Iran (13,082)
- Syria (20,355 PRs)
- Nigeria (12,670)
- The People’s Republic of China (10,725)
- The United States of America (9,215)
- France (8,163)
- Iraq (7,692).
India is still at the top!
For a second year consecutively, India has been the top source of Canadian citizens. In 2021, Canada welcomed 20,866 citizens from India, leaving behind the Philippines, previously the biggest source of immigrants.
Within the last four years, the major sources of Canadian immigration haven’t changed much. However, there have been re-ordering in some countries. For instance, there has been a growth in Syria PRs.
Similarly, Pakistan, too, is the fourth most popular country in terms of immigrants.
How to progress from PR to Citizenship?
Once landed as a Permanent inhabitant in Canada, those looking to become citizens must assess their eligibility. Here are some pointers for the same:
- Be a PR of Canada
- File taxes
- Pass a citizenship test (for people aged between 18-54)
- Have proven language skills
- Meeting Canada’s physical presence/ strength requirements
If these factors are met, a permanent inhabitant must spend at least three years physically in Canada to be eligible for citizenship.
If a candidate is a temporary resident in Canada, they can spend 365 days to be eligible for the physical presence requirement. Moreover, children under 18 years of age must be permanent inhabitants. However, they can be exempted from the physical presence requirement!
