Immigration from China to Canada.
21,105 citizens of China became permanent residents in 2025, making it the number 4 source country. The highest year since 2015 was 2022 (31,870). From January to July 2026: 11,870.
Data through July 2026Retrieved October 8, 2026Updated monthly, mid-month
Permanent residents per year
Citizens of China.
| Period | Permanent residents |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 19,455 |
| 2016 | 26,785 |
| 2017 | 30,255 |
| 2018 | 29,710 |
| 2019 | 30,245 |
| 2020 | 16,515 |
| 2021 | 31,025 |
| 2022 | 31,870 |
| 2023 | 31,785 |
| 2024 | 29,965 |
| 2025 | 21,105 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 11,870 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data). 2026 covers January to July only.
By immigration category
Per year.
| Category | Economic | Family | Refugees and protected persons | Humanitarian and other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 12,805 | 5,760 | 735 | 100 |
| 2016 | 16,385 | 9,005 | 1,240 | 40 |
| 2017 | 17,815 | 11,165 | 1,135 | 55 |
| 2018 | 18,715 | 10,145 | 700 | 70 |
| 2019 | 18,915 | 10,550 | 575 | 155 |
| 2020 | 9,925 | 5,770 | 660 | 80 |
| 2021 | 21,850 | 7,410 | 1,355 | 325 |
| 2022 | 20,320 | 10,005 | 1,215 | 245 |
| 2023 | 20,790 | 8,995 | 1,520 | 345 |
| 2024 | 17,720 | 8,305 | 1,815 | 2,045 |
| 2025 | 10,295 | 7,435 | 1,030 | 2,290 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data).
Top programs, 2023 to 2025 combined
| Program | Value |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 17,465 |
| Spouses and partners | 10,465 |
| Parents and grandparents | 8,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 5,355 |
| All Other Immigration | 4,840 |
| Federal Skilled Worker | 3,975 |
| Protected persons in Canada | 3,690 |
| Investor | 3,650 |
Source: IRCC, Permanent Residents – Monthly IRCC Updates (open data).
Study and work permits
New permit holders per year.
| Period | Study permits | IMP work permits | TFWP work permits | Express Entry invitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 68,500 | 15,885 | 560 | 1,490 |
| 2016 | 80,865 | 23,210 | 865 | 2,125 |
| 2017 | 87,470 | 23,185 | 1,070 | 6,285 |
| 2018 | 89,440 | 23,665 | 960 | 5,150 |
| 2019 | 87,945 | 24,780 | 1,430 | 4,875 |
| 2020 | 61,620 | 21,350 | 1,025 | 7,085 |
| 2021 | 58,740 | 23,165 | 1,335 | 8,395 |
| 2022 | 54,205 | 20,495 | 1,590 | 2,005 |
| 2023 | 60,720 | 31,080 | 3,355 | 4,645 |
| 2024 | 58,580 | 26,630 | 4,730 | 3,665 |
| 2025 | 51,575 | 22,920 | 2,910 | 2,975 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 24,385 | 20,555 | 1,445 | 3,230 |
Source: IRCC, Temporary Residents: Study Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates; IRCC, Temporary Residents: TFWP and IMP Work Permit Holders – Monthly IRCC Updates; IRCC, Express Entry – Invited Candidates – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Asylum claims
Claims by citizens of China (only years when China was in IRCC’s top 25 list for a province).
| Category | Asylum claims |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,465 |
| 2016 | 1,145 |
| 2017 | 1,025 |
| 2018 | 1,805 |
| 2019 | 2,020 |
| 2020 | 640 |
| 2021 | 570 |
| 2022 | 945 |
| 2023 | 1,795 |
| 2024 | 3,855 |
| 2025 | 4,335 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 1,510 |
Source: IRCC, Asylum Claimants – Monthly IRCC Updates. 2026 covers January to July only.
Who stays, who settled.
- In a Statistics Canada study of immigrants admitted from 1982 to 2017, 21.9% of those born in China had left Canada within 20 years of arriving (all immigrants: 17.5%). See retention by country.
- Where people of China origin live in Canada today: Census Atlas community page.
- Moving from China: our China to Canada guide.
- Compare China with another country: compare tool.