Maple News reports that Canada welcomed 471,550 new permanent residents in 2023, exceeding its annual immigration target by over 6,000 newcomers. The latest figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicate the country continues to push ahead with ambitious immigration goals laid out in its 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan.
This marks a significant increase from 2022, when Canada admitted 437,600 new permanent residents—an annual growth of nearly 8%. The 2023 figure surpassed the planned goal of 465,000 and demonstrates the Canadian government’s commitment to leveraging immigration to support economic development and demographic growth.
The newcomers were admitted through a range of immigration programs, including Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship pathways for spouses, partners, and children. This broad approach underscores Canada’s strategy to attract both economic migrants and support family reunification.
In addition to the surge in permanent residency admissions, IRCC also finalized a record number of temporary residence applications. In total, 1.65 million work permit decisions were completed in 2023, including renewals. This figure reflects a sharp increase of over 500,000 compared to 2022 and includes streams under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.
Study permit applications also saw notable growth. IRCC finalized decisions on 1.09 million study permits, including extensions, representing a year-over-year increase of over 170,000. This reflects Canada’s growing appeal as a top destination for international students, though officials are expected to introduce tighter regulations to maintain the quality and sustainability of this sector.
On the citizenship front, the data showed that 293,000 individuals took the final step in their immigration journey by becoming Canadian citizens between April and December 2023. This was an increase of nearly 14,000 over the same period in 2022.
Looking ahead, IRCC is on track to meet its 2024 target of 485,000 new permanent residents. The federal government has signaled an even more ambitious horizon, with annual immigration targets set to rise to 500,000 by 2025 and remain steady through 2026.
Through robust immigration programs and a commitment to long-term nation-building, Canada continues to position itself as a global leader in welcoming newcomers. Maple News will continue to monitor Canada’s immigration trends as the country moves toward these record-setting goals.