The global immigration has been majorly affected by the pandemic. With extensive travel restrictions, local public health measures, and constraints on it’s settlement partners have all had a significant impact on it’s clients’ ability to provide complete applications or travel. Proper measures have been taken to protect the health and safety of employees and Canadians have also affected IRCC’s ability to process paper applications and lengthened processing times for some. IRCC has taken action and come a long way since the onset of the pandemic—providing additional resources where they are needed most and streamlining it’s processes.
Prior to the pandemic, IRCC was undergoing transformation of its operations, leveraging technology to develop tools and new practices to make it’s immigration system more agile, efficient and client-focused. COVID-19 has accelerated the need for transformation, spurring the department to leap into new areas. IRCC has also been moving toward a more integrated, modernized working environment that will help speed up application processing around the world.
The Government of Canada has prioritized reducing wait times and improving client experience and transparency. In his mandate letter, the Minister is charged with reducing application processing times, including addressing delays that have been impacted by COVID-19. To deliver on this commitment, the Government of Canada proposed $85 million in new funding to reduce application inventories and welcome people who can help address Canada’s labour shortages and support it’s recovery.
IRCC has already taken steps in achieving these goals. The measures below will also contribute to delivering on these priorities, with a view to fostering a strong post-pandemic economic recovery.
IRCC is aiming to enhance it’s processes for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship, and how it deliver client service.
Permanent residence
- Move away from paper file inventory for permanent residence programs, and phase out remaining paper intake.
- Process new Family Class and Canadian Experience Class applications within it’s service standard.
- Eliminate existing permanent resident card inventories and enable clients to renew their permanent resident card online.
- Expand the online permanent residence application portal to include more clients.
Temporary Residence
- Reduce existing inventories and meet service standards for:
- Work permits (prioritizing essential workers)
- Study permits
- Reduce the inventory for visitor visas
Citizenship
- Reduce inventory of 60,000 clients awaiting their Oath of Citizenship ceremony
- Work toward scheduling the Oath of Citizenship ceremonies within 4 months of a final decision
- Reduce existing inventories for citizenship grants and proof of citizenship
Client service
- Provide greater transparency with clients by:
- Updating the processing times tool with up-to-date information
- Giving clients more information on the status of their application
IRCC is hoping to make this happen with
- People— it has hired 500 new processing staff to support immigration levels and continue to hire more.
- Technology— it is investing in and expanding the use of technology and online options.
- Policies and processes— it is addressing systemic barriers to ensure it’s programs and policies are fair, equitable and culturally sensitive.
