Canada updates its authority structure for immigration officers, i.e., Canada’s immigration department has released a new document explaining major internal changes.
The updated Instrument of Designation and Delegation (IDD), published on January 16, 2026, outlines several changes approved by Immigration Minister Lena Diab. These changes took effect on December 15, 2025.
Major changes include
- Expanding the distribution of powers to various roles
- Restructuring to five geographic areas (down from nine)
- Dividing the refugee division into two branches: asylum claims, and resettlement
The document also includes many smaller updates, such as changes to job titles and roles. These include the creation of a new “Manager” role for PM-05 level officers or equivalent within the Immigration Operations Branch and the Humanitarian and Identity Operations Branch. Integrity Risk Management has also been renamed Migration Integrity Operations, and international officials are now called “Migration Officers” instead of “Immigration Officers.”
The IDD is a legal document that allows the immigration minister to delegate authority to officers, including officials from IRCC, CBSA, and the RCMP.
The newest version of the IDD assigns 189 powers to officers, while 15 powers remain only with the minister.
This version replaces the earlier IDD from March 11, 2025, which had been approved by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
These changes come as IRCC reduces staff numbers, along with broader federal government cuts under Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Distribution Of Powers
The new IDD gives more authority to staff in Settlement and Resettlement Operations. It also creates a new Service Delivery Sector. Officers in this sector can conduct examinations, assess medical inadmissibility, and make decisions on work permits, study permits, and permanent residence applications.
Under the new IDD, Resettlement Operations can refuse permanent resident visas for people planning to live in Quebec if they do not hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). IRCC expects this change to speed up processing.
Geographic Restructuring
RCC now operates across five geographic regions:
- Americas and the Caribbean.
- Europe, Maghreb and Multilaterals.
- Middle East.
- Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Info-Pacific.
Previously, IRCC had nine regions, including separate areas for Northern Europe, South East Asia and Oceania, North Asia, South Asia, and the United States.
Refugee And Asylum
The former Asylum and Refugee Resettlement branch has been split into two branches: the Asylum Branch and the Resettlement, Family, and Humanitarian Branch.
Under the new system, decisions on refugee claims are shared between officers at different levels. Lower-level officers confirm eligibility, while higher-level officers make ineligibility decisions.
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