Canada continues to welcome tens of thousands of new permanent residents as it works towards a target of 485,000 newcomers in 2024.
The latest available figures show that, as of May, the country had welcomed 210,865 new permanent residents this year.
But where have those newcomers come from?
Here are the top 10 citizenships of new permanent residents to Canada so far in 2024.
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10. France (4,040 new PRs)
France has strong immigration ties to Canada, and the historic French influence is visible in some of Canada’s major cities, such as Quebec City and Montreal.
Linguistically too, Canada is a very attractive option for people from France to come to. In 2021, 102,000 immigrants reported French as their first official language spoken in Canada outside Quebec, the majority of them living in Ontario (66,000), Alberta (13,000) an British Columbia (12,000).
Canada let in 10,075 immigrants from France in all of 2023, 14,150 in 2022, and 12,690 in 2021. Like most other countries, Q1 2024 recorded lower numbers than Q1 2023.
9. United States (4,180 new PRs)
Over the years, roughly three million Americans have come to Canada from the United States, with Canada targeting American tech workers in particular.
Some 2,485 American PRs came to Canada at the end of Q1 2024, and 1,700 came in the first two months of Q2.
As for 2023, Canada let in a total 10,640 immigrants, and in 2022, it let in 10,415 immigrants.
8. Pakistan (4,485 new PRs)
Many Pakistanis are in a favourable position to immigrate to Canada, owing to their high level in English and the strong community presence of South Asians in Canada.
Popular programs for people from this community are the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Some 2,635 new PRs from Pakistan came to Canada at the end of Q1 2024, which is roughly more than the number let in this year.
A large part of this could be owed to the incoming temporary resident cap, which Immigration Minister Marc Miller is emplacing on international students, asylum seekers, and temporary foreign workers.
7. Iran (5,860 new PRs)
The Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are popular tools for new Iranians to come to Canada. Many of them also utilize family sponsorship to start living again with their loved ones.
At the end of Q1 2024, Canada let in 3,570 PRs from Iran, with 1,300 coming in January, 1,020 in February, and 1,250 in March.
In April, it let in 1,020 new immigrants, and 1,270 in May, for a total of 2,290 Until now in Q2 2024.
6. Cameroon (6,785 new PRs)
New immigrants from Cameroon come to Canada using various immigration programs, with a significant number arriving through the Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Many Cameroonians also use family sponsorship to reunite with relatives already in Canada. Additionally, some arrive as international students and transition to permanent residency through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).
In Q1 2024, 3,730 immigrants came from Cameroon to Canada.
5. Afghanistan (7,055 new PRs)
New immigrants from Afghanistan come to Canada primarily through humanitarian and refugee programs. In recent years, the Canadian government has prioritized Afghan refugees, particularly those who assisted Canadian missions and face persecution under the Taliban regime.
Additionally, some Afghans immigrate through family sponsorship and economic immigration streams.
Canada let in 8,570 new PRs from Afghanistan in 2021, after which there was a massive spike of 23,750 new immigrants in 2022 and 20,180 in 2023.
4. Nigeria (8,625 new PRs)
Some 4,695 new Nigerian immigrants came to Canada by the end of Q1 2024, and 3,930 in April and May.
In all of 2023, Canada let in 17,460 new PRs from Nigeria, which was a decrease from the 22,130 at the end of 2022.
3. China (13,100 new PRs)
Chinese immigrants form a significant portion of Canada’s new permanent residents, with the majority relying on the family sponsorship and economic immigration pathways to come to Canada.
Canada allowed in 8,145 new Chinese immigrants at the end of Q1 2024, and a combined total of 4,955 immigrants in the months of April and May 2024.
2. Philippines (14,360 new PRs)
The Philippines consistently ranks high among the countries of origin for Canadian immigrants, with Filipinos often migrating through family sponsorship, caregiver programs, and skilled worker streams.
Moreover, the close-knit Filipino community in Canada – especially in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia – provides strong support networks for new immigrants.
In Q1 2024, Canada welcomed 7,995 immigrants from Philippines. This is less than the 8,070 immigrants let in last year’s Q1.
Until now, however, Q2 (the months of April and May) has let in 6,365 immigrants. This is greater in comparison to April and May last year, when only 4,040 Filipino PRs were let in.
1. India (64,730 new PRs)
India continues to be the leading source country for new permanent residents in Canada. Many Indian immigrants come through the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorship.
The strong presence of the Indian diaspora in Canada, along with educational and professional opportunities, makes it an attractive destination for skilled immigrants and international students from the South Asian giant.
However, there is a visible fall in the number of Indian immigrants coming to Canada compared to last year, largely due to the two countries’ diplomatic issues and Canada’s recent cap on temporary immigrants.
In Q1 2024, Canada let in 37,915 new Indian permanent residents, which is 8,175 less than in Q1 2023, when Canada let in 46,090 new PRs.
However, it is still higher than the 35,075 in Q1 2022, which could imply a temporary fall in the number of immigrants from India that is set to bounce back in the long-term.
