Anticipated changes to Canada's visa acceptance criteria next year will make it significantly easier for young Irish people to seek permanent residence there, according to a new report in Businesspost.

According to the report Canada needs the sort of skills Irish workers can provide in abundance including project managers, structural engineers, welders, estimators, diesel mechanics, carpenters and various other trades.

One of the most significant changes to Canadian immigration policy next year will be to make language the most important selection factor when processing visas.

A greater emphasis will also reportedly be placed on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience and remain in the workforce longer the government hopes.

In 2011, 5,340 Irish people reportedly went to Canada on working holiday visas and additional 6,000 travelled there on work permits with job offers.