Kareem El-Assal - 22 November, 2020
A new study by World Education Services (WES) shows there is still strong demand for immigrants to move to Canada despite the coronavirus pandemic.
WES is one of the organizations recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide educational credential assessments (ECAs).
ECAs are needed to verify education obtained internationally meets Canadian standards. Skilled worker immigration candidates need to obtain ECAs when applying under the likes of Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
WES recently obtained survey responses from nearly 28,000 prospective immigrants who currently live outside of Canada.
WES' study found that interest in immigrating to Canada has increased throughout 2020. It also found that respondents who initially planned to delay immigrating to Canada has declined. Third, respondents said they expect Canada's economy to be stronger than the economies of their own countries.
The number of potential immigrants who said they are more interested in immigrating to Canada increased to 46 per cent in August compared with 38 per cent in April.
Some 62 per cent said they are unlikely to delay their immigration to Canada because of the pandemic, compared with 35 per cent in April.
In addition, 48 per cent said that the economic recession in Canada would not impact their immigration plans.
WES' ongoing research during the pandemic strongly suggests Canada will have little trouble finding global talent interested in moving to the country after the pandemic.
Immigration to Canada has fallen due to the pandemic, however Canada is looking to compensate in the coming years.
Canada recently made a new 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan announcement where it said it will boost immigration targets to over 400,000 each year. This will result in Canada's highest immigration levels ever.
To achieve high levels, Canada has hosted Express Entry draws and operated the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) throughout the pandemic.
Skilled worker immigration candidates overseas including respondents to WES' survey are able to go ahead with their intentions to immigrate to Canada right now.
Canada is accepting and processing applications. Candidates can complete a language test such as an IELTS and CELPIP. ECA organizations such as WES continue to operate. Once Canada amends its travel rules, successful immigration candidates will be able to move to Canada.
Complete our FREE Immigration form to see if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!
