Summary of IRCC’s efforts to modernize immigration to Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) presented these IRCC Digital Modernization slides to immigration officials, including the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association at a meeting on October 12, 2022.

The following is an overview designed to provide an overview of the steps taken by IRCC to modernize application management systems.

Why Canada has prioritized improving its immigration systems

Canada recognizes that it is critical to the country’s prosperity that it work to change the application management systems for Canada’s immigration programs. In January 2022 Press releaseImmigration Minister Sean Fraser said:

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“I know the processing delays have been incredibly frustrating for many people. Helping clients come to Canada quickly, with predictable processing times and effective communication with IRCC, remains a top priority. Immigration benefits all Canadians. It helps grow our economy and strengthens our communities across the country. Many people choose Canada as a place to visit and build their future, and to ensure we remain competitive, we have put in place concrete measures to ensure that those who wish to come to Canada have the customer experience they deserve. .

Steps taken by IRCC to modernize immigration to Canada

Accordingly, Canada is taking the following steps to modify application management systems across Canadian immigration to achieve the country’s goals related to faster processing times and more effective communication for clients .

1. Financial investment

• In the 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update, Canada proposed $85 million in new funding to reduce inventories of applications
• As part of Budget 2021, Canada invested $428.9 million over 5 years, with $398.5 million in amortization remaining “to develop and deliver a enterprise-wide digital platform which would gradually replace IRCC’s legacy Global Case Management System (GCMS)”

2. Expand the use of advanced data analytics

• The use of data analytics in relation to visitor visas has so far shown that routine records can be assessed 87% faster

3. Enable more applicants to use the digital applicant portal

• So far, for spousal sponsorship applicants, processing has returned to the 12-month service standard for new applications
• IRCC began its transition to 100% digital applications for permanent residency programs in September 2022, with alternative formats still available for people in need of housing

4. Introduction of the Permanent Residence Application Tracker

5. Online System for Receiving Permanent Residence Cards

• Between June and December 2021, 225,000 permanent residents have already used this portal

6. Developments for citizenship applicants

These developments include:

• Online testing
• An online application tracking/submission system
• Virtual Citizenship Ceremonies
• Allow interested candidates to self-administer their oath with a signed attestation and celebrate their citizenship afterwards

7. Updating existing procedures

IRCC works to:

• Update the online processing times tool and begin publishing forward-looking estimates of application processing times
• Exempting certain applicants from requiring an immigration medical examination
• Conducting more phone and video interviews for select programs, including expanding the availability of virtual interviews at our overseas offices and even some visa application centers

Chronology

With a first phase starting in December 2020, IRCC has established the following three-phase timeline for the full implementation of its digital program modernization plan:

Phase 1: Stabilize (December 2020 to November 2021)

• Focus: “Stabilize the GCMS until a new platform can be delivered in phase three”

Phase 2: Normalize (December 2021 to March 2023)

• Focus: “Establish foundational cloud elements to support the capabilities that will be delivered in phase three”

Phase 3: Improvement (April 2023 to December 2026)

• Focus: Provide a new digital operating platform and enable businesses to deliver [IRCC] is “digital ready”

Expected results

In general, the above measures will reduce request processing times and provide customers with a more efficient two-way communication capability.

Here are the expected results and more specific benefits applicants will experience from the improvements Canada is striving to make.

• More flexibility with interviews/application processing
• Improved application processing and support
• Provide better estimates of expected application processing times
• Shortened waiting times
• Allow the hiring of additional staff responsible for processing applications
• Assist officers in triaging and processing visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada
• Help IRCC manage the growing volume of applications
• Minimize COVID-19 related delays associated with processing paper applications
• Provide customers with immediate confirmation of successful request submission
• Provide easier access to application information and status updates online
• Help applicants save time and money on the medical examination process
• Enable candidates to plan their immigration journey with increased predictability

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