Canada’s Immigration System: Innovations and Enhanced Services
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Enhancing Immigration Services in Canada
On August 13, 2018, in Ottawa, IRCC announced significant advancements aimed at enriching the client service experience. A pivotal part of this initiative includes reducing backlogs and improving processing times. Minister Ahmed Hussen shared insights on the progress achieved over the past year.
Notable Achievements in Immigration Processing
IRCC has notably decreased application backlogs, prioritizing family reunification through a historic multi-year immigration levels plan. The Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) saw its backlog reduced from 62,000 in May 2014 to under 12,000 by April 2018. The department aims to process 80% of the remaining LCP backlog by the end of 2018, with new applications being processed within 12 months.
Utilizing a new method to estimate processing times, IRCC has improved timelines for permanent residence applications. Additionally, the spousal sponsorship backlog decreased from 75,000 to 15,000 by December 2017, with new applications processed within 12 months. An extension of the Open Work Permit Pilot and simplified application guides further support spousal sponsorship applicants.
Citizenship and Employment Initiatives
Changes to the Citizenship Act now offer greater flexibility for applicants, encouraging more immigrants to pursue Canadian citizenship. Celebrating the Global Skills Strategy’s first anniversary, Canada supported 10,000 skilled workers and over 100 employers. The Student Direct Stream was launched to expedite study permits for students from China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Strategic Collaborations and Policy Changes
IRCC has partnered on initiatives to bolster Francophone immigration, establishing a new Francophone Immigration Policy hub and enhancing services at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The medical inadmissibility policy now better reflects the Government’s commitment to inclusion.
- Expanded IRCC’s presence in China with seven new visa application centers.
- Plans to open more centers internationally in 2018 and 2019.
- Revised the age of dependants from “under 19” to “under 22” to keep families united.
- Launched a pilot project for employing newcomers in the hotel industry.
- Maintained a six-month processing time for Express Entry applications.
IRCC is committed to further enhancements, offering more self-service options online. Upcoming initiatives will expand online applications and improve client account functionalities. Communication on processing times will also become clearer for clients.
Commitment to Client Feedback
“IRCC has made great progress in the past few years with these larger initiatives that will positively impact many of our clients. But what we’ve learned in speaking to our clients is that sometimes even tiny interventions in the journey can have a big impact. We are committed to improving our programs and are rethinking the way we provide services. We know that we can do things better and we are committed to doing that”.
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Related Resources
- 2018-2020 Immigration Levels Plan
- Updates to immigration processing times
- Work permit pilot extended to 2019 for spouses and common-law partners applying for permanent residence from within Canada
- Updated application kit for spousal sponsorship
- Government of Canada implements new legislative changes to the Citizenship Act
Contact Information
Media Contacts
Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
FAQs About Canada’s Immigration Enhancements
What improvements have been made to the Live-In Caregiver Program?
IRCC reduced the backlog from 62,000 to under 12,000, aiming to process 80% of the remaining applications by the end of 2018.
How has spousal sponsorship processing changed?
The spousal sponsorship backlog was reduced from 75,000 to 15,000, with new applications processed within 12 months.
What is the Global Skills Strategy?
This initiative supported 10,000 skilled workers and over 100 employers, enhancing Canada’s economy through targeted immigration strategies.
How does the new medical inadmissibility policy impact immigrants?
The policy now aligns with inclusivity values, emphasizing the integration of persons with disabilities.
What are the future plans for immigration service improvements?
IRCC plans to expand online applications and improve processing time communications to enhance client experiences.
