Canada's Immigration Model

How Canada's points system selects skilled immigrants to drive growth, why many Indians have moved there, and why Canada tightened immigration after 2023.

Canada has used immigration as a deliberate economic strategy for decades.

The points system

Canada introduced a points system in 1967. Applicants receive points for:

Education.
Language skills in English or French.
Work experience.
Age.
Job offers or connections to Canada.

The Express Entry system, launched in 2015, ranks candidates and invites the highest-scoring to apply for permanent residence.

Why Canada wants immigrants

An ageing population and low birth rates.
Labour shortages.
Growth: immigrants add workers, consumers and entrepreneurs.

Indians in Canada

India became the largest source of new permanent residents and international students in Canada in recent years.

The tightening

Rapid population growth, driven partly by temporary residents like students and workers, contributed to a housing affordability crisis and strain on services. From 2023-24, Canada:

Capped international student permits.
Reduced immigration targets.
Tightened rules on temporary foreign workers.

Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada in 2023 also affected relations.

Economic debates

Immigrants boost total GDP, but critics argue that GDP per person grew slowly and housing couldn’t keep up.
Credential recognition: many skilled immigrants work below their qualifications.

The Express Entry draw

An Indian software engineer with a master's degree, strong English scores and three years' experience receives a high Express Entry score. She is invited to apply and moves to Toronto as a permanent resident.

Thinking immigration only benefits the economy without trade-offs

Rapid immigration boosts growth but can strain housing and services if not matched with investment.

Key takeaways

Canada introduced a points system in 1967 and Express Entry in 2015.
It selects immigrants for education, language, experience and age.
India became the largest source of new permanent residents.
Housing pressures led Canada to tighten immigration from 2023-24.