Intake Adjustment: IRCC's Program Alignment Plans

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently revealed its strategy, "An Immigration System for Canada's Future," aiming to streamline application processing times for key programs while re-evaluating their structure.

Aligning Intake with Admission Spaces

IRCC wants to match the number of people applying with the spots they have open for admission so that applicants don't have to wait a long time when there are too many people applying for a program. This strategic alignment intends to reduce wait times, facilitating better planning for applicants and their support networks in Canada, enhancing their settlement and integration.

Challenges in Certain Programs: The PGP Backlog

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) grapples with a significant backlog dating back three years to the pandemic's onset. Despite operational challenges during the pandemic, including border closures and temporary office shutdowns, IRCC continued to accept applications for the PGP. Presently, nearly 100,000 applicants await processing, originating from the 2020 pool.

Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026

IRCC annually sets immigration targets for up to three years. The recently released plan outlines admission targets from 2024 to 2026, aiming to admit 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 each in 2025 and 2026. The focus remains on bolstering the economy and workforce through sustainable population growth, influencing application intake decisions.

Program Caps and Processing Challenges

Most permanent resident programs, including PGP and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), impose caps on application submissions, aligned with the Levels Plan targets. However, temporary resident programs lack such limits, leading to application backlogs and slower processing. Minister Marc Miller opposes caps on international student permits, highlighting the complexity in managing various program demands.

Auditor General's Report and Strategy Implementation

IRCC's strategy aligns with recommendations from Canada's Auditor General (OAG), emphasizing the need for achievable service standards across all permanent residency programs. To address processing delays, IRCC intends to prioritize older backlogged applications and embrace digital tools for efficient global office operations.

Advanced Analytics and Processing Enhancements

Advanced Analytics adoption is underway to automate routine case determinations, aiming to alleviate officers from clerical tasks. This initiative, already applied to Post-Graduation Work Permits and Work Permit Extensions, should enable officers to dedicate more time to urgent or intricate applications.

IRCC Stragizes to Meet Targets

IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within set service standards, which vary by application type. As of September, the backlog comprised 928,000 unprocessed applications, slightly down from the previous month. Temporary residence visas accounted for the highest backlog, marking an 18% increase compared to August.

This strategy seeks to restructure application processing, aligning intake with available spaces and leveraging technology to address backlogs, ultimately aiming for more efficient and timely immigration procedures.

Read More: Canada’s Immigration talks four provinces hold pnp draws

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FAQs

Q1: Are there limits on the number of applications for permanent resident programs?

Yes, programs like PGP and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have application caps aligning with the Levels Plan targets.

Q2: How is IRCC planning to enhance processing through technology?

IRCC aims to use Advanced Analytics to automate routine determinations and alleviate officers from repetitive tasks, enabling focus on urgent or complex applications.

Q3: What is the processing time for a visa post-biometrics in Canada in 2023?

Typically, it takes approximately 8 weeks to obtain your valid visa after submitting your biometrics to the IRCC alongside your visa application. However, individual cases may differ, so it's advisable to consult your immigration lawyer or consultant for specific guidance.

Q4: What's the approval rate of IRCC?

Between 2021 and 2022, IRCC granted approval to 58% of Canadian study permit applications. Despite Canada consistently setting records for welcoming international students annually, the country is also rejecting more students each year, with fewer than three out of five applicants securing their study permits.

Q5: What is the usual timeframe for IRCC to reply to emails?

When contacting IRCC, ensure a clear explanation of your situation and provide all pertinent details to avoid potentially inaccurate information. Upon submitting the Web Form, there won't be a confirmation email. Typically, IRCC takes approximately 2 to 5 business days to reply.