Canada immigration numbers dropped again in August, as the recovery seen in the aftermath of the first wave of coronavirus stuttered for a second consecutive month.
The latest federal government figures show 11,315 new permanent residents were admitted in August, down from 13,675 in September, a drop of more than 17 percent.
The figure is also significantly down on August 2019, when 31,585 permanent resident admissions were recorded.
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After eight months of 2019, Canada had welcomed 228,430 new immigrants, compared to just over 128,000 this year. It means Canada is 100,000 newcomers behind this time last year, and highly unlikely to meet its pre-coronavirus target of 341,000 new permanent residents.
International travel restrictions due to coronavirus are still in place and the Canada-U.S. border is still closed.
New ‘arrivals’ can either be candidates already in Canada transitioning from a temporary status, or those from overseas who were approved before March 18.
Restrictions on international travel are in place until at least the end of October, as the federal government looks to quell the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
The current closure of the Canada-U.S. border is in place until October 21. It has already been extended several times since it was initially imposed in March.
The restrictions bar entry to all except citizens and permanent residents, with some exemptions.
Canada currently has exemptions in place for the following people, provided they are travelling for a non-discretionary reason.
- Seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers.
- International students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020. More international students will be allowed to travel from October 20 under a new exemption.
- Permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 18, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada.
- Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are also exempt if entering to be with an immediate family member for at least 15 days.
- Extended family members of citizens and permanent residents, plus foreign nationals travelling on compassionate grounds.