Summarizing IRCC’s efforts to modernize immigration to Canada

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

What follows is an overview designed to provide a look into the steps IRCC is taking to modernize application management systems.

Why Canada has prioritized improving its immigration systems

Canada recognizes that is it crucial for the country’s prosperity that they work to alter the application management systems for Canada’s immigration programs. In a January 2022 press release, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said:

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

“I know that processing delays have been incredibly frustrating for many individuals. Helping clients come to Canada quickly, with predictable processing times and efficient 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 are choosing Canada as the place to visit and build their future, and to ensure that we stay competitive, we have introduced concrete measures to make sure those who want to come to Canada have the client experience they deserve.”

The steps IRCC is taking to modernize immigration to Canada

Accordingly, Canada is taking the following strides to change the application management systems throughout Canadian immigration to meet the nation’s goals related to better processing times and more efficient communication for clients.

1. Financial Investment

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

2. Expanding Use of Advanced Data Analytics

The use of data analytics with respect to visitor visas has thus far shown that routine files can be assessed 87% faster

3. Allowing More Applicants to Use Digital Application Portal

Thus far, specific to spousal sponsorship applicants, application processing has returned to the service standard of 12 months for new applications
IRCC began its transition to 100% digital applications for permanent residence programs in September 2022, with alternative formats still available for people who require accommodations

4. Introduction of the Permanent Residence Application Tracker

5. Online System for Receipt of Permanent Residency Cards

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

6. Developments for Citizenship Applicants

These developments include:

Online testing
An online application tracker/submission system
Virtual citizenship ceremonies
Allowing interested candidates to self-administer their Oath by signed attestation and celebrate their citizenship afterwards

7. Updating Existing Procedures

IRCC is working to:

Update the online processing times tool and begin publishing forward-looking estimates of application processing times
Make certain applicants exempt from requiring a medical examination for immigration
Conduct more telephone and video interviews for some programs, including expanding the availability of virtual interviews at our overseas offices and even some visa application centres

Timeline

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

Phase 1: Stabilize (December 2020 to November 2021)

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

Phase 2: Standardize (December 2021 to March 2023)

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

Phase 3: Enhance (April 2023 to December 2026)

Focus: Deliver a new digital operating platform and enable activities to ensure [IRCC] is ‘digital ready’

Expected outcomes

Generally, the above measures will decrease application processing times and provide more efficient two-way communication ability for clients.

The following are more specific expected outcomes and benefits that applicants will enjoy thanks to the improvements Canada is working to make.

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