By a Staff Writer
Toronto:
In 2012 Canada has accepted more immigrants from China and Philippines as compared to India. China stands first while India and Philippines stand second and third respectively in the number of visas granted by the Canadian federal government 2012.
Jason Kenney, Canada's Immigration Minister said that immigrants, visitors and students from India, China and Philippine to Canada hit a record high last year.
The federal government last year granted permanent residential status to 32,990 Chinese and 32,704 Philippines and 28,889 Indians according to a press release by Citizenship and Immigration Department of Canada Monday.
"We plan to grow the economy and create more jobs by attracting an increasing number of visitors and the world's best and brightest talent to Canada," said Minister Kenney in the release.
"For this reason, we strive to issue visas and permits as quickly as possible to facilitate travel for immigrants, visitors and students," added Jason Kenney.
The increasing number of immigrants, visitors and students to Canada is apparently because of the introduction of visa category called 'Canadian Experience Class' under which, international students in Canada are entitled to gain work experience while studying.
Canada has issued 130,000 visitor visas to Indian applicants, an increase of 58 percent compared to 2004. The government granted 235,000 visitor visas to Chinese applicants, an increasing of 158 percent compared to 2004, and 44,000 visitor visas to Filipino applicants, an increasing of 68 percent compared to 2004.
Acknowledging the contributions of the immigrants in Canada, minister Kenney said that around 750,000 Canadians can trace their ancestry to India.
Tracing down to their ancestry, the minister also said that approximately 1.5 million Canadians hail to be from China and around 500,000 Canadians' trace their origin from Philippines.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, a "record number" of immigrants, visitors and students were welcomed to Canada from China, India and the Philippines in 2012, as were a record number of visitors and students from the Ukraine.
China was the number one source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 32,990 permanent residents admitted. Canada also issued a record 235,000 visitor visas to Chinese applicants in 2012, an increase of 158 per cent compared to 2004. And the record 25,245 study permits approved represents an increase of 235 per cent since 2004.
The Philippines was the second largest source country for immigration to Canada in 2012 with 32,704 permanent residents admitted. This represents an increase of 146 per cent since 2004. Canada also issued a record 44,000 visitor visas to Filipino applicants in 2012, an increase of 68 per cent compared to 2004. And the record 941 study permits approved represents an increase of 429 per cent since 2004.
India was the third largest source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 28,889 permanent residents admitted. This represents an increase of almost 15 per cent since 2004. Canada also issued a record 130,000 visitor visas to Indian applicants in 2012, an increase of 58 per cent compared to 2004. And the record 13,000 study permits approved represents an increase of 530 per cent since 2004.