On 12 October 2022, IRCC’s Digital Modernization slides were presented to immigration representatives and the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. The following provides a summary of the IRCC’s efforts to modernize Canada’s immigration process.
What are the reasons for Canada’s priority to improve its immigration systems?
For the prosperity of its nation, Canada recognizes the importance of improving its immigration application management system. During a press conference in January 2022, immigration minister Sean Fraser stated:
Many people have been frustrated by processing delays. A top priority for us remains to help clients come to Canada quickly by communicating effectively with IRCC and providing predictable processing times. Our economy benefits from immigration, as does our community. Additionally, it is obvious that a lot of people want to come to Canada and start a new life there, so we have made sure to take the necessary steps to give them the best possible customer experience.
IRCC’s effort to modernize Canada’s immigration process
To accomplish Canada’s objectives for faster processing times and better client communication, the country is making the following changes to its application management systems.
Financial Investment
- As a result of the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, Canada proposed a new addition of $85 million in funds to help lower application inventories.
- Over five years, Canada spent $428.9 million developing and delivering IRCC’s new enterprise-wide digital case management platform, and a further $398.5 million to amortize.
Analyzing advanced data more effectively
- As a result of data analytics, routine visa applications have been assessed 87% faster than manual processing.
Providing a digital application portal for more applicants
- Spousal sponsorship applications have so far been processed within the 12-month service standard.
- IRCC will begin providing alternative formats for those who require accommodations in September 2022, As well as with a transition to 100% digital applications for permanent residency programs.
Introducing the Application Tracker of Permanent Residence
A permanent residency card can be received online
- In June and December 2021, this gateway was used by 225,000 permanent residents.
Citizenship Applicants: Recent Development
The following developments have taken place:
- Tests conducted online
- A system for tracking and submitting applications online
- Citizen ceremonies conducted online
- Offering candidates, a signed attestation of their self-administered oath and a celebration of their citizenship afterward
Updates to the current procedure
The IRCC is working on the following:
- Launch a future application processing time prediction calculator, then update the online processing time calculator.
- Don’t require immigration candidates to undergo medical exams.
- Virtual interviews will be available at a number of overseas offices and visa application locations. So, you can conduct additional phone and video interviews for some programs.
Timeline
In order to implement its digital program modernization plan in its entirety, the IRCC has identified three phases:
The stabilization period (Between December 2020 to November 2021) is phase 1:
While the GCMS is being stabilized in phase three, a new platform will be deployed.
The standardization period (Between December 2021 to March 2023) is phase 2
Furthermore, for phases three and four to be delivered, we must establish fundamental cloud components.
Enhancing the program between April 2023 to December 2026 is Phase 3:
IRCC needs to be “digital ready,” implement a new digital operating platform and make activities possible.
Outcomes to be expected
Clients will benefit from improved two-way communication as a result of the IRCC’s efforts to modernize Canada’s immigration process.
In light of Canada’s efforts to make improvements, applicants can expect to experience the following results and advantages:
- Flexibility in interviewing and processing applications
- Support and processing of applications have been improved
- Estimate the processing time of applications more accurately
- The waiting time has been shortened
- Hire additional staff to process applications
- Provide assistance to officers in sorting and processing visitor visa applications from abroad
- Contribute to the management of IRCC’s increasing application volume
- Streamline the paper application processing process associated with COVID-19
- Confirm successful application submission to clients immediately
- Information and status updates about applications can be accessed online easier
- Reduce the time and cost of medical examinations for applicants
- Making the immigration process more predictable for applicants
