IRCC to digitize immigration applications to expedite processing
by CM Staff
The IRCC will begin its transition to 100 per cent digital applications for most of its PR programs on Sept. 23.
NEW WATERFORD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced plans to digitize its immigration system to expedite the processing of newcomers as the country rushes to regenerate a labour pool.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser visited an IRCC application processing centre in New Waterford, N.S. to announce new online services across its immigration system that they anticipate will help reduce the backlogs.
In order to help reduce wait times, Fraser has said he will exempt permanent and temporary residence applicants who are already in Canada and meet certain criteria. This change in administrative processing of newcomers comes in addition to hiring 1,250 new government employees to help with backlogged cases.
According to the IRCC, their measures to simplify the immigration process should assist 180,000 immigrants to Canada.
The IRCC reportedly conducted telephone and video interviews during the pandemic for family reunification cases. In 2021, the department worked to reunite a total of 69,000 spouses, partners and children.
They have also continued to work at expanding the availability of virtual interviews at our overseas offices, including through a pilot project allowing spousal sponsorship and other potential newcomers to take part in virtual interviews at some visa application centres rather than having to travel to a visa office.
Fraser also stated that as committed in January 2022, the ministry has expanded access to the online application portal for the majority of permanent residence applicants.
The IRCC will begin its transition to 100 per cent digital applications for most of its PR programs on Sept. 23, with alternative formats available for people who require accommodations.
They launched a new tool in August 2021 that allows most citizenship applications to be submitted online. The tool is open to applicants age 18 and over, and they have also expanded it so that groups of adults can apply together.
