Citizenship and Immigration Canada reports that Canadian immigration programmes reached a record high in 2012.

The country welcomed immigrants to visitors and students to workers to keep up with its history of accepting permanent and temporary residents across the globe. The year 2012 was another record-breaking year on a succession for the last seven years. 257,000 is the number of new permanent residents who were welcome in 2012.

The Philippines, India and China have always been the countries that offer the highest number of immigrants to Canada. Last year was a record breaking year for these countries as well. China was the source of the highest number of immigrants to Canada in 2012. 25,000 student visas, 235,000 tourist visas and 33,000 permanent resident visas were issues to applicant from China only.

The second country in the list was the Philippines with 941 student visas, 44,000 tourist visas and 33,000 permanent resident visas issued to applicant from the Philippines. On the other hand, 13,000 student visas, 130,000 tourist visas and 29,000 permanent resident visas were issues to applicant from India which became the third highest country to receive Canadian immigration.

Tim Hortons Inc. remains the exclusive Canadian agent in the Philippines. Several Canadian restaurants are recruited on a regular basis by Mercan Canada Employment Philippines Inc. when a employee works for a couple of years at Tim Hortons, he gets eligible for applying for being 'permanent landed immigrant'.

Jose Yazon, one of the owners of Mercan Canada Employment Philippines Inc., imformed Canada.com that Canada offered many benefits for anyone going to the country. The biggest benefit remains to be the citizenship of the country, while it also offers good pay and free medical expenses along with high standard children education for free, he said. Mr Yazon further informed that people insisted on going to Canada as they generally approach their company only after doing significant research on the possibilities.

Interestingly, Mr Yazon himself emigrated with his family to Edmonton in 2012 as well.