Canada is Getting Modernized Immigration System

Due to ongoing pandemic and border restrictions, the last two years have been challenging for everyone especially for immigrants to Canada. The backlogs and processing delays have left many prospective immigrants frustrated and disappointed. Recognizing the contribution of immigrants to the Canadian economy and labor market, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, announced several measures to modernize the immigration system today. Some of these measures include:

More Funding

To reduce the application inventories, the government has come up with an $85 million funding initiative, which will help in hiring new staff, digitalizing the applications, and meeting the set processing service standards by the end of 2022. This will ultimately reduce the processing time for various immigration programs including work permits, visitor visas, study visas, PR card renewals, and citizenship applications.

Use of data analytics

The government is encouraging the use of advanced data analytics in helping the visa officers process visitor visa applications that are submitted outside Canada. It has been proved with the use of analytics that visitor visa files are assessed 87% faster and applicants received quick decisions without compromising on the program integrity. The final decision is always made by an IRCC officer. 

Digital Application Portal for PR applications

The ministry is expanding the use of the digital application portal, which will only reduce delays in processing but will also provide immediate acknowledgment to the applicant about the receipt of the application. Thanks to this initiative now the average processing time for spousal sponsorship applications will be again 12 months.

New PR application tracker

To further provide easy access to the updates, IRCC is introducing a new Permanent Residence Application Tracker for spouses and dependents. This service will start in February 2022 and will make it easy to check your status online. 

Online tests and virtual citizenship ceremonies

A large number of citizenship applicants are taking advantage of online testing, online tracker, and virtual citizenship ceremonies. This increases the processing time and offers hassle-free service to applicants during Covid times. In the future, the applicants would be able to self-administer their oath by signing attestation, which will further reduce the waiting period.

Updated Online processing times tool

IRCC aims at offering an updated online processing times tool in a few months. This tool will provide up-to-date estimates on how much time it will take for your application to be processed.

With all these above-stated measures, IRCC strives to offer better client experiences and meet client expectations regarding the processing times.