According to the data revealed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), China is the second most imperative source for family sponsorship immigration. Even though immigration was restricted last year due to the lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, China still maintains its place as the second country with the most immigrants through family sponsorship programs.
In the first 6 months of 2020, around 2,930 foreign nationals immigrated to Canada from China which was almost 57.7% less than the same period in 2019. India remains the topmost source for family-based immigration with almost 17,660 new immigrants coming in 2019 and another 4,140 in the first 6 months of 2020. China remains an important source compared to other countries. In 2019, China provided twice as many new permanent residents as the United States through family-based sponsorship programs. The next country after the US is the Philippines which provided 8,875 new permanent residents in 2019.
China had a share of almost 11.6% of the total new immigrants who arrived in Canada in 2019 through family sponsorship programs. In the first 6 months of 2020, this share increased to 11.8%.
How Did China Become an Important Source for Family-Based Sponsorship in Canada?
In 2015, China had a low level of immigration through family sponsorship, standing at only 5,775 new permanent residents. However, over the next 2 years, this number steadily increased to make China the second most important source for family-based immigration. In 2016, the number increased to 9,020, which further grew to 11,170 in 2017. In 2018, the number reduced somewhat to 10,160 before increasing again to 10,555 in 2019.
With the vaccine rollout plan in motion, immigration levels are expected to rise again this year. Family-based sponsorship programs are the most popular and fastest way to gain permanent residency in Canada. Therefore, it is expected that the number of immigrants arriving through these programs will increase this year.
