Program directory · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Federal Economic Immigration
- Program code
- BGE01 (CI)
- Core responsibility
- Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration
- In Departmental Plans
- 2018-19 – 2026-27 · New since an earlier plan
What it does
In accordance with Canada’s annual Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC facilitates the admission of a targeted number of permanent residents under the economic immigration category. Federal economic immigrants seek to live and work permanently in Canada. IRCC selects candidates based on their ability to meet program eligibility criteria, such as official language ability, education, work experience, age, and whether the individual has a valid job offer. The applicant must achieve the necessary “score” based on points allocated for eligibility criteria. IRCC issues permanent resident documentation to successful applicants.
Source: the department's Program Inventory, via GC InfoBase.
History and lineage
First appears in GC InfoBase's actual spending by program in 2018-19. The data does not record when a program was created; it may be older than its first appearance here, which is limited by the sources (program spending starts in 2010-11, Departmental Plans in 2018-19).
| Program | Relation | Years with data | Actual spending over those years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Economic Immigration | This program | 2018-19 – 2028-29 | $577M |
No earlier or later program in the same department has a similar name.
Significant changes in scope and budget
Detected from the data: renames between plans, programs it appears to replace, merge with or split into (matched by name), year-over-year changes in spending of at least 25% and $5M, or in employees of at least 20% and 25 FTEs, linked budget measures, and results indicators added or dropped.
| Year | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Employees (FTEs) 565, against 460 in 2018-19 (+23%). | FTEs (GC InfoBase) |
| 2021-22 | Employees (FTEs) 802, against 543 in 2020-21 (+48%). | FTEs (GC InfoBase) |
| 2021-22 | Spending $84.4M, against $61M in 2020-21 (+38%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2022-23 | Indicators dropped: Net direct fiscal benefit of federal economic immigrants | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Spending $125M, against $92.4M in 2022-23 (+35%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2026-27 | Indicators added: Percentage of federal economic principal applicants accessing social assistance, compared to the national average, two years after landing | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2026-27 | Indicators dropped: Incidence of employment for federal economic principal applicants, relative to the Canadian average, five years after landing; Median employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants relative to the Canadian median, five years after landing; Number of federal economic class immigrants admitted to Canada; Percentage of federal economic principal applicants with employment earnings at or above the Canadian median, five years after landing | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
Success criteria
The program's indicators from its department's Departmental Results Framework: the target set in each year's plan, and the result reported the following year. Source: GC InfoBase.
Historical: targets against results
Incidence of employment for federal economic principal applicants, relative to the Canadian average, five years after landing
Expected result: Federal economic immigrants are employed
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 10% | 2018 | 16.7% Five years after landing, 16.7% more federal economic permanent residents received earnings (measure of incidence of employment) than the Canadian average. This rising figure is attributed to the Federal Economic Program's focus to select newcomers that have key human capital characteristics (such as education, work experience and language) that allow easier integration into the Canadian economy. | Met |
| 2019-20 | ≥ 10% | 2019 | 24% Five years after landing, 24% more federal economic permanent residents received earnings (measure of incidence of employment) relative to the Canadian average, representing an increase from almost 17% in 2016 and about 15% in 2015. This rising figure continues to be attributed to the Federal Economic Program's focus on selecting newcomers that have key human capital characteristics (such as educ… | Met |
| 2020-21 | ≥ 10% | 2020 | 17.1% In 2018 (latest available data), five years after landing, 17.1% more federal economic permanent residents received earnings (measure of incidence of employment) on relative to the Canadian average. This figure meets the target for the indicator and continues to be attributed to the Federal Economic Program's focus on selecting newcomers that have key human capital characteristics (such as educat… | Met |
| 2021-22 | ≥ 10% | 2021 | 20.3% In 2019 (latest data available), five years after landing, the proportion of federal economic permanent residents who reported employment earnings was greater by 20.3 percentage points than that of the Canadian population. This figure exceeds the established and is partly attributable to the Federal Economic Program's focus on selecting newcomers that have high human capital characteristics (such… | Met |
| 2022-23 | ≥ 10% | 2022 | 22.2% Economic principal applicants under the high-skilled programs and business programs continue to report higher employment rates compared to the general population. This supports Canada's selection approach among these classes that choose immigrants who can economically establish and succeed in the labour market as well as support economic growth and competitiveness. | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 10% | 2023 | 22.4% The 2023 result (22%) is higher than the target of ≥ 10%. Federal economic principal applicants continue to report higher employment rates compared to the general population. This supports Canada's selection approach, which prioritizes individuals who can economically establish and succeed in the labour market as well as support economic growth and competitiveness. | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 10% | 2024 | 23.1% In their first five years after landing, Federal Economic principal applicants continue to outperform the Canadian average in rates of employment. This speaks to the strength of program design, most notably the Comprehensive Ranking System that employs a human capital model to select candidates through the Federal High Skilled Programs who are most likely to have become economically established i… | Met |
Median employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants relative to the Canadian median, five years after landing
Expected result: Federal economic immigrants are employed
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 15% | 2018 | 27.8% Five years after landing, the average employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants relative to the Canadian average is approximately 27.8% higher than the Canadian average, a marginal increase from the previous year. The ability of immigrants to earn employment incomes at par or above the Canadian average is an important indicator that demonstrates their capability to intergrate i… | Met |
| 2019-20 | ≥ 15% | 2019 | 27% Five years after landing, the average employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants relative to the Canadian average is approximately 27% higher than the Canadian average, a marginal decrease from 28% realized in 2016. The ability of immigrants to earn employment income at par or above the Canadian average is an important indicator that demonstrates their capability to intergrate i… | Met |
| 2020-21 | ≥ 15% | 2020 | 34.6% In 2018 (latest available data), five years after landing, the median employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants relative to the Canadian median is approximately 34.6% higher than the Canadian median. The ability of immigrants to earn employment income at par or above the Canadian median is an important indicator of federal economic principal applicants' capability to integrate… | Met |
| 2021-22 | ≥ 15% | 2021 | 55.7% In 2019 (latest data available), five years after landing, the median employment earnings of federal economic principal applicants were 55.7% higher relative to the Canadian median. This represents a significant increase of 21.1 percentage points from last year's result and well above the established target of 15%. This success was partly attributable to the Federal Economic Program's focus on se… | Met |
| 2022-23 | ≥ 30% | 2022 | 66.9% Economic principal applicants’ median employment earnings within the high-skilled and business programs surpass the Canadian median employment earnings. Principal applicants of these economic categories are selected for their ability to be integrated into the Canadian labour market and to contribute to the economy. Most of them have post-secondary education and are quired to be proficient in at l… | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 30% | 2023 | 69.3% Latest result, 69.3%, demonstrate an increase of 2.4% from 2022. The 2023 result continues to be significantly higher than the target (≥ 30%). Federal Economic principal applicants’ median employment earnings surpass the Canadian median employment earnings. Principal applicants of these economic categories are selected for their ability to integrate into the Canadian labour market and to contribu… | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 30% | 2024 | 82.4% The median employment earnings of Federal Economic principal applicants demonstrates the scale at which this population is outperforming the Canadian median, and validates that the characteristics and skills being prioritized under the human capital model are effective in predicting strong economic outcomes. | Met |
Number of federal economic class immigrants admitted to Canada
Expected result: Federal economic immigrants arrive in Canada
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 88,700 – 101,200 | 2018 | 94,734 In 2018, Canada admitted 94,734 permanent residents through the federal economic program streams. This figure was within the range of Canada’s 2018–2020 multi-year Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to bring in more talented workers with the particular skills and expertise that our economy needs. | Met |
| 2019-20 | 85,500 – 108,000 | 2019 | 104,882 In 2019, Canada admitted 104,882 permanent residents through the federal economic program streams. This figure was within the target range of Canada’s Multi-Year Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to bring in skilled workers who can contribute to a strong economy. Continued significant interest in economic immigration to Canada, promotional efforts, and new initiatives such as the Agri-Food Pilo… | Met |
| 2020-21 | 96,100 – 113,400 | 2020 | 54,920 In 2020, Canada admitted 54,920 permanent residents through the federal economic program streams. Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, including travel restrictions, this figure was below the target range of Canada’s multi-year Immigration Levels Plan. The effects of the pandemic on immigration patterns is reflected in the decrease of this figure from last year by almost 50,000 admissions. The Im… | Not met |
| 2021-22 | 85,800 – 119,000 | 2021 | 166,779 In 2021, Canada admitted 166,779 permanent residents through the Federal Economic Programs. This result was above the target and was a significant increase from previous years. A host of efforts contributed to this success. In particular, in light of the challenges in admitting new permanent residents from overseas in 2021, the Department pivoted to focusing on temporary residents in Canada to re… | Not met |
| 2022-23 | 86,300 – 121,450 | 2022 | 115,641 Economic immigration is the main driver in the immigration system to help with labour market needs. Roughly 59% of the new permanent residents welcomed in 2022 were economic immigrants, selected for skills that can help employers meet their hiring needs and grow their businesses. | Met |
| 2023-24 | 92,600 – 130,500 | 2023 | 121,450 Federal Economic immigration is the main driver in the immigration system to help with labour market needs. 29% of new permanent residents welcomed in 2023 (excluding Quebec), were federal economic immigrants, selected for skills that can help employers meet their hiring needs and grow their businesses. In 2023 Canada admitted 2,753 immigrants under the Federal Business programs (Start-up Busines… | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 122,770 | 2024 | 113,370 While the number of federal economic immigrants admitted to Canada was below the target, it was within the target range for the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan. In any given year, the department must work through a number of competing priorities and unforeseen events, which can impact each program's ability to meet its exact target. With the overall permanent resident admissions target not being ach… | Not met |
Percentage of federal economic principal applicants with employment earnings at or above the Canadian median, five years after landing
Expected result: Federal economic immigrants are employed
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 50% | 2018 | 53.4% Five years after landing, 53.4% of federal economic immigrants had employment earnings at or above the Canadian average. Although this is a marginal drop of 1.1% from the previous year, the ability of immigrants to earn employment incomes at the same level or above the Canadian average demonstrates their integration into the Canadian economy. | Met |
| 2019-20 | ≥ 50% | 2019 | 46% Five years after landing, 46% of federal economic immigrants had employment earnings at or above the Canadian average. The drop from over 53% in 2016 could be a product of various factors, including economic fluctuations. The continued ability of many immigrants to earn incomes at the same level or above the Canadian average demonstrates their ability to integrate into the Canadian economy. Note:… | Not met |
| 2020-21 | ≥ 50% | 2020 | 56.3% In 2018 (latest available data), 56.3% of federal economic permanent residents (principal applicants only) reported, five years after landing, that their employment earnings were at or above the Canadian median. This figure demonstrates the ability of provincial economic immigrants to earn employment income at par with, or above, the Canadian median.The Federal Economic Program's focus on selecti… | Met |
| 2021-22 | ≥ 50% | 2021 | 64.7% In 2019 (latest available data), five years after their landing, 64.7% of federal economic permanent residents (principal applicants only) reported their employment earnings were at or above the Canadian median. This figure exceeds the established target and is partially attributable to the Federal Economic Program's focus on selecting newcomers that have high human capital characteristics (such… | Met |
| 2022-23 | ≥ 50% | 2022 | 65.6% While most economic principal applicants under the high-skilled programs and business programs are earning above the median employment earnings, there are some highly-skilled immigrants working in low-skilled and low-wage occupations suggesting underutilization of skill remains a problem which could stem from challenges with foreign credential recognition. | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 50% | 2023 | 68.5% Latest result shows that most federal economic principal applicants (68.5%) are earning above the median employment earnings, representing a 2.9% increase from last year results. This increase may indicate a decrease in the proportion of highly-skilled immigrants working in low-skilled and low-wage occupations. | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 50% | 2024 | 72.9% 73% of Federal Economic principal applicants continue to have employment earnings above the Canadian median. Applicants are selected based on high human capital factors such as education, work experience, and official language capacity, which makes them likely to achieve above average earnings. | Met |
Net direct fiscal benefit of federal economic immigrants
Expected result: Benefits of federal economic immigration are realized
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | — | 2018 | $5K A target could not be established until a methodology was developed. However, following the development of a methodology in 2018-2019, it was determined that in the 2016 tax year, on average, the net direct contribution that federal economic immigrants provided to the Canadian fiscal balance was approximately $5,431 per person. This indicator takes into account the amount of federal and provincia… | No result reported |
| 2020-21 | ≥ $5K | 2020 | $5K In the 2016 tax year, the net direct contribution that federal economic immigrants provided to the Canadian fiscal balance was approximately $5,431 per person on average. | Met |
| 2021-22 | ≥ $5K | 2021 | $5K In the 2016 tax year, the net direct contribution that federal economic immigrants provided to the Canadian fiscal balance was approximately $5,431 per person on average. Note: Moving forward, IRCC will no longer report on this indicator. | Met |
Current: the 2026-27 plan's targets
Percentage of federal economic principal applicants accessing social assistance, compared to the national average, two years after landing
Expected result: Federal economic immigrants achieve economic independence
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Equal to or under -6.9% | 2026 | — | Planned |
Future goals: targets due after 2026-27
No targets with a later due date.
Spending and employees: planned against actual
Spending
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | $67.7M | $48.3M |
| 2019-20 | $70.7M | $54.6M |
| 2020-21 | $70.7M | $61M |
| 2021-22 | $78.7M | $84.4M |
| 2022-23 | $85.4M | $92.4M |
| 2023-24 | $85.5M | $125M |
| 2024-25 | $96.8M | $112M |
| 2025-26 | $86M | — |
| 2026-27 | $101M | — |
| 2027-28 | $93.7M* | — |
| 2028-29 | $78.2M* | — |
Employees (FTEs)
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 613 | 460 |
| 2019-20 | 643 | 565 |
| 2020-21 | 642 | 543 |
| 2021-22 | 579 | 802 |
| 2022-23 | 733 | 846 |
| 2023-24 | 778 | 964 |
| 2024-25 | 878 | 931 |
| 2025-26 | 811 | — |
| 2026-27 | 918 | — |
| 2027-28 | 847* | — |
| 2028-29 | 748* | — |
Planned spending, plan by plan
Each row is one year's Departmental Plan and its forecast for the next three fiscal years; read a column down to see how the forecast for one year changed. The last row is what was actually spent. Click an amount for its source. Biggest changes in federal spending plans
| Plan | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 plan | $67,711,953 | $70,138,051 | $66,437,971 | ||||||||
| 2019-20 plan | $70,713,635 | $69,659,470 | $69,292,764 | ||||||||
| 2020-21 plan | $70,653,813 | $70,439,377 | $70,742,247 | ||||||||
| 2021-22 plan | $78,698,713 | $81,609,155 | $81,612,536 | ||||||||
| 2022-23 plan | $85,369,106 | $84,200,068 | $80,128,588 | ||||||||
| 2023-24 plan | $85,450,254 | $83,384,743 | $86,671,177 | ||||||||
| 2024-25 plan | $96,753,103 | $97,927,795 | $100,774,983 | ||||||||
| 2025-26 plan | $86,020,009 | $78,950,465 | $72,749,922 | ||||||||
| 2026-27 plan | $100,601,389 | $93,708,765 | $78,249,924 | ||||||||
| Actual | $48,283,466 | $54,610,535 | $61,038,673 | $84,447,038 | $92,402,740 | $125,091,443 | $111,609,336 |
Actual spending is from Departmental Results Reports and the Public Accounts, as published in GC InfoBase. FTEs are full-time equivalents.
