So far, which country sent maximum number of immigrants to Canada?

Due to coronavirus, there are certain changes in the immigration levels. But the situation is getting settled gradually.

Immigration faced specific problems due to the coronavirus restrictions in Canada. We can say that the first half of 2020 was a tough period for everyone.

The country welcomed 103420 new immigrants in the first 6 months of this year. The number in the first 6 months of 2019 was 160230.

The decrease in the number came in the second quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19. In 2019, the second quarter invited 94275 newcomers, while in 2020, the number was 34260.

The number started to increase in May and June, as 11,000 and 19,000 new immigrants were welcomed, respectively.

Under the federal government’s list of exemptions, only new permanent residents, whose PR was approved before March 18, the date when international travel restrictions were started, are allowed to enter into Canada.

The focus was on people already in Canada on temporary residencies, be it with a study or work or visitor visa.

The source countries of immigrants are the same despite the difficulties due to the virus. India is still dominating in the number of immigrants to Canada, just as it had in 2019. India alone sends a quarter of the immigrants to Canada. China and the Philippians occupy the second and third spots; their combined number will fall short compared to the number of immigrants India sends.

In the first half of 2020, America jumps to the fourth position from the sixth position in terms of immigrants sent to Canada.

In 2020 the number of American immigrants to Canada is 3890, which comprises 3.7% of the total, which was only 3.2% in 2019. 

Other countries in the top 10 are France, Brazil, and the UK. South Korea, Eritrea, and Iran dropped out of the list.

Canada Permanent Resident Arrivals so Far in 2020

Canada Permanent Resident Arrivals in 2019

As more than 19,000 new permanent residents are welcomed, Canada’s monthly immigration levels recovered in June.

In June, the percentage increase was 75% when compared to May, but it is still lower than what it was in June 2019.

Travel restrictions are still in place and will remain so at least until the end of August, as the Canadian government wants to guard the residents against the second wave of COVID-19.

The present US Canada border closure will be continued until August 21. It has already been prolonged many times since it was initially imposed in March.

The restrictions block entry to all but nationals and permanent residents, with some exceptions.

Canada currently has exceptions for:

• Seasonal agricultural workers, caregivers, fish/seafood workers, and all other temporary foreign workers.
• Permanent resident candidates, who had been accepted for permanent residence before the travel limitations were stated on March 18, 2020, but had not yet migrated to Canada.
• International students who held a legitimate study permit or had been accepted for a study permit when the travel restrictions started on March 18, 2020.

Immediate family members of Canadian residents and permanent residents are excused from entering to be with an immediate family member for at least 2 weeks.