IRCC recently unveiled its intentions for modernizing application management systems to improve client communication and processing times. The IRCC's plans are summarized here. At a meeting on October 12, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provided this IRCC Digital Modernization slides to immigration representatives, including the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.

An outline of the actions the IRCC is doing to modernize application management systems is provided below.

Why Canada has made enhancing its immigration policies a top priority.

Canada understands that improving the application management systems for its immigration programs is essential for the prosperity of the nation. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser stated in a press release from January 2022:

I am aware that many people have found processing delays to be quite upsetting. Our major emphasis is still assisting clients in entering Canada swiftly, with predictable processing timeframes and effective contact with IRCC. All Canadians gain from immigration because it enhances local economies and communities across the nation. Many individuals are choosing Canada as the location to travel to and establish their future; therefore in order to maintain our competitiveness, we have put in place specific steps to guarantee that those who wish to immigrate will receive the high-quality services they deserve.

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The actions IRCC is taking to modernize Canadian immigration

As a result, Canada is making the following changes to the application management systems used for all aspects of Canadian immigration in order to achieve the country's objectives for faster processing times and greater client communication.

1. Financial Investment

  1. As part of the 2021 budget, Canada invested $428.9 million over 5 years, with $398.5 million remaining amortization;
  2. IRCC's current Global Case Management System (GCMS) is gradually being replaced by an enterprise-wide digital platform.

2. Increasing the Use of Advanced Data Analytics

  1. Visitor visa data analytics have so far shown that routine files can be evaluated 87% faster.

3. Enabling More Applicants to Use the Digital Application Portal IRCC started its transition to 100% digital applications for permanent residence programmes in September 2022, with alternative formats still being made available for people who need accommodations. As of now, application processing for spousal sponsorship applicants has returned to the service standard of 12 months.

4. Launch of the Application Tracker for Canada Permanent Residency

5. Online Permanent Residency Cards Receiving System

  1. This portal was utilized by 225,000 Canadian permanent residents between June and December 2021.

6. Changes Affecting Citizenship Applicants

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These changes include:

  1. Allowing interested candidates to self-administer their oath via signed attestation and celebrate their citizenship thereafter;
  2. An online application tracker/submission system;
  3. Virtual citizenship ceremonies;

7. Revision of Current Procedures

  1. Improve the web tool for processing times and start posting anticipated processing times for applications.
  2. Ensure that candidates are exempt from immigration medical examination requirements.
  3. Increase the availability of virtual interviews at our international offices and even some visa application centers.

Conduct more telephone and video interviews for select programs.

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Timeline

The IRCC has outlined the following three phases for the full implementation of its digital program modernization plan, with the first phase beginning in December 2020:

Phase 1: In order to stabilize (December 2020 to November 2021)

  1. Goal: “GCMS stabilization until phase three delivery of a new platform."

Phase 2: Normative (December 2021 to March 2023)

  1. Goal: "Building the fundamental cloud components to support the capabilities that will be made available in phase three."

Phase 3: Improve (April 2023 to December 2026)

  1. Goal: Make [IRCC] "digital ready" by establishing a new operating system.

Expected results

In general, the aforementioned steps will shorten the time it takes to process applications and give clients better two-way communication capabilities.

The following are more precise anticipated results and advantages that applicants will experience as a result of Canada's efforts to make improvements.

  1. Shortened waiting times;
  2. Improved application processing and support;
  3. Better estimates of anticipated processing times;
  4. Increased flexibility in application interviews and processing;
  5. Assistance with sorting and processing Canada visitor visa applications received from outside Canada; and
  6. Assistance with IRCC in managing the rising number of applications.
  7. Provide clients with immediate confirmation of successful application submission;
  8. Make it easier for them to access application information and status updates online;
  9. Reduce COVID-19-related delays associated with processing paper applications;
  10. Assist applicants in saving time and money during the medical examination process; and
  11. Make it possible for applicants to plan their Canada immigration journey through increased predictability.

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