The Canadian government has announced new initiatives to modernise the country's immigration system while also reducing the country's growing backlog. As of August 22, Canada had received more than 300,000 permanent residents, exceeding the milestone earlier than in any prior year. For 2022, the country has set a target of 431,000 permanent residents.
The government also announced plans to modernise and digitise the application process for those seeking permanent status in Canada. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, introduced the new online service.
To address backlogs and boost processing capacity, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will shortly move to 100% online applications for almost all permanent immigration programmes. The shift will take place in stages.
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The IRCC will digitise the application process for programmes such as the Provincial Nominee Programme (non-Express entry), Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, sponsoring an eligible relative, and sponsoring a dependent child, among others, beginning September 23 this year.
Following that, on October 7, programmes for Quebec-selected investors and Quebec-selected businesses will be digitalized. This change will be completed on October 28th. In addition to announcing the digital overhaul of the immigration application process, the Canadian government stated that the agency has employed 1,250 extra personnel to deal with the mounting processing backlogs.
The agency also stated that candidates for permanent and temporary residency who are already in Canada and ‘meet specific conditions' will be excused from the immigration medical examination requirement. According to the government, the simplification and digitization of the application procedure, which will take place in the next couple of weeks, will benefit about 1,80,000 clients by saving them time and money.
It will also administer the department in reducing wait times. Furthermore, the immigration department aims to increase openness in the process by providing more accurate information such as application processing time estimates and predictability, among other things.
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On the dates listed below in the given table, the following categories will be converted to digital/online applications:
|
Date |
Category |
|
September 23, 2022 |
Sponsoring a spouse or partner Sponsoring a dependent child Sponsoring an eligible relative Sponsoring an orphaned sibling, niece or nephew, or grandchild Provincial nominee program (non-Express Entry) Quebec-selected skilled workers Adopting a child through the immigration process Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot |
|
October 7, 2022 |
Self-employed people (Quebec) Quebec-selected investors Quebec-selected entrepreneurs |
|
October 14, 2022 |
Temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence Agri-food pilot Start-up visa |
|
October 21, 2022 |
Humanitarian and compassionate grounds Self-employed people (federal) Home Support Worker Pilot Home Child Care Provider Pilot (reopens to new applications on January 1, 2023) |
|
October 28, 2022 |
Atlantic Immigration Program |
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Source: CNBC News
