Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced a new set of online services on September 1, aimed at improving client experience and reducing backlogs.
A modernized immigration system is necessary for the wake of the pandemic. Fraser announced updates on IRCC operations from the New Waterford, Nova Scotia, processing center. Newcomers and future citizens should keep an eye on these developments.
Exemptions from medical exams for certain applicants in Canada
Permanent and temporary residents in Canada who are already living in Canada are exempt from immigration medical exams in an effort to reduce wait times. People who meet certain criteria are only eligible for this measure. Neither the criteria nor the effective date was specified in the media release. Newcomers are expected to be affected by it to the tune of about 180,000, according to the IRCC.
From June 2021 to March 2022, Canada waived the medical exam requirement. By adding 1,250 new employees to boost processing capacity, the measure aims to further reduce wait times.
23 September: 100% digital immigration application
For the most permanent residence program, IRCC will begin accepting 100% digital applications on September 23. Accommodation will be available to all individuals.
As previously reported, IRCC expected to develop the online application portal in the spring or summer of 2022. Following the commitment to make immigration applications digital earlier this year.
Tracking application status for more programs
The application status tracking system for spousal, partner and dependent child sponsorship applications will be extended to seven additional permanent residence and temporary residence programs by spring 2023. Clients will have access to representatives by the end of this month, through the citizenship application status tracker launched in May 2021. Also, IRCC is improving its online tool for displaying processing times. A forward-looking timeline for processing applications will be published by IRCC starting in the fall.
Citizenship modernization in Canada
A new online citizenship application tool will be available to citizens in August 2021, according to the IRCC. For people who are at least 18 years old, you can use the service to submit a group application. In the coming months, the IRCC plans to make online applications available for kids under 18 years of age.
Minors under a certain age will be able to apply online by the end of the year, according to the IRCC. Using the new tool, citizens can submit applications collectively.
The number of permanent residents in 2022 has surpassed 300,000
IRCC admits more than 405,000 new permanent residents annually. They have set a record for this year’s admissions. In 2022 they expect to welcome 431,000 permanent residents as well as they are on the track to achieving their goal.
The number of permanent residents in Canada exceeds 300,000 earlier than ever before, as of August 22.
Bringing people together is the aim of immigration. As Fraser said in the release, it is not just about finding a new job, reuniting with family, and establishing a new life, but also about starting a new career here in a beautiful country. Canada’s immigration system will be strengthened by updating its technology, people – applicants – must remain at the center of everything they can do. In order to make newcomers feel welcome, the application process needs to be streamlined and expedited.
