While it’s true that Canada, Australia, and New Zealand give out a larger share of their visas to economic migrants compared to family-sponsored applicants, this comparison overlooks an important fact: when you adjust for population size, these countries grant far more permanent resident visas (green cards) than the United States.
The U.S. provides the highest number of green cards in absolute terms among wealthy nations, but when you account for the size of the population, the U.S. offers far fewer green cards per capita than countries like Canada and Australia.
Both Canada and Australia issue more than twice the number of permanent residency visas per person as the U.S. does. And for New Zealand, the figure is even higher—more than three times the number of green cards per capita.
What This Means for U.S. Immigration Policy
If the United States truly wanted to adopt an immigration system similar to Canada’s or Australia’s, it would require more than just shifting the focus to skills-based immigration. The U.S. would first need to significantly increase the total number of green cards issued each year—likely by more than double the current amount. This increase would allow for a higher percentage of economic-based immigration (for skilled workers, for example) while still maintaining the number of family-based green cards.
In simple terms: If the U.S. matched the level of immigration seen in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (adjusted for population), it could easily increase the number of visas for skilled workers and employers without reducing the number of green cards available for family reunification. This would allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to live with their families, while also boosting the number of immigrants with needed skills.
So, while the focus may often be on the share of family vs. skills-based green cards, the real issue is that the U.S. needs to increase the total number of green cards issued—only then can it embrace a more balanced approach that benefits both skilled workers and families.
