A Stronger Immigration System Serving Newcomers Better
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Canada’s Commitment to a Modern Immigration System
Canada remains a top destination for individuals seeking opportunities to work, study, and start a new life. To enhance this experience, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is advancing a modernized, digital immigration system. This initiative aims to speed up processing times, offering newcomers the seamless service they deserve.
Ministerial Visit and New Initiatives
On September 1, 2022, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited an IRCC processing centre in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. He announced new online services designed to enhance client experiences and alleviate processing backlogs.
Reducing Processing Wait Times
To further diminish wait times, IRCC is exempting certain permanent and temporary residence applicants from the immigration medical examination requirement. This change will affect approximately 180,000 clients, saving them time and money. Additionally, IRCC will continue offering virtual interviews for family reunification applications, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for clients worldwide.
Enhancing Permanent Residence and Citizenship Processes
Digital Applications for Permanent Residence
As of September 23, IRCC will transition to fully digital applications for most permanent residence programs, with accommodations available for those who need them. This move aims to streamline the application process significantly.
Improving Client Communication
IRCC launched a new application status tracker in February 2022, allowing applicants to monitor their progress easily. By spring 2023, this tool will include seven additional residence programs. Furthermore, improvements to the online processing times tool will provide applicants with more accurate timeline predictions.
Modernizing the Citizenship Process
Since the pandemic, IRCC has introduced several online services for citizenship, including virtual ceremonies and tests. A new tool launched in August 2021 now allows online applications for most adults, with plans to include minors by the end of the year.
“Immigration is about people. It’s about starting a new job, reuniting a family, and creating a new life in this beautiful country we call home. As we look to strengthen our immigration system by updating our technology, people—our clients—must be at the centre of all that we do. By adding resources where they are needed, and leveraging technology to make processing faster and applying easier for our clients, we can give newcomers and new citizens the welcoming experience they deserve.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Key Milestones and Facts
- In 2021, Canada welcomed over 405,000 new permanent residents, setting a historic record. The 2022 target is 431,000, with over 300,000 already admitted by August 22.
- Canada surpassed its citizenship target for 2021–2022, granting citizenship to over 217,000 individuals.
- On November 26, 2020, Canada became a pioneer in online citizenship testing. By July 31, 2022, over 406,000 people had participated in virtual tests.
- IRCC began offering virtual citizenship ceremonies in 2020, with over 394,000 individuals participating by July 31, 2022.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program, launched in March 2022, invites candidates with business endorsements from Atlantic Canada to apply for permanent residence.
Additional Resources
Contact Information for Media
Aidan Strickland
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
aidan.strickland@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes have been made to the immigration medical examination requirement?
IRCC is exempting certain in-Canada applicants from medical exams, impacting around 180,000 clients by saving them time and costs.
How is IRCC improving the permanent residence application process?
IRCC is transitioning to 100% digital applications for most permanent residence programs, starting September 23, 2022.
What improvements are being made to the citizenship application process?
IRCC offers online applications for adults, with plans to include minors by year-end, alongside virtual ceremonies and tests.
How can applicants track their application status?
A new status tracker allows applicants and representatives to monitor their application progress online, expanding to more programs by spring 2023.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The program helps skilled newcomers apply for permanent residence with business endorsements from Atlantic Canada, promoting regional growth.
