Fraser announces new measures to modernize Canada’s immigration system

Shelby Thevenot
Published: September 1, 2022

On September 1, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser introduced new online services across Canada's immigration system, intended to improve client experience and reduce the backlogs.

The pandemic highlighted the need for a modernized immigration system. From the IRCC processing centre in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Fraser announced the latest updates on how digitization is affecting operations at Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Here are the new developments for newcomers and future citizens.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Certain in-Canada applicants exempt from medical exams

In an effort to reduce wait times, Fraser is exempting permanent and temporary residence applicants who are already in Canada from the immigration medical exam requirement. This measure only applies to people who meet certain criteria. The media release did not specify the criteria, nor when the measure would take effect. IRCC expects it to impact about 180,000 newcomers.

Canada had previously waived the medical exam requirement between June 2021 and March 2022.

The release says the measure is intended to further reduce wait times and build on the hiring of 1,250 new employees to help increase processing capacity.

Immigration applications going 100% digital September 23

IRCC will begin transitioning to 100% digital applications for most permanent residence programs on September 23. Alternative formats will be available for people who require accommodations.

The immigration department committed to making immigration applications digital this past January. IRCC previously told CIC News in an email it expected the online application portal to be fully implemented in the spring or summer of 2022.

More programs to have application status trackers

By spring 2023, seven more permanent residence and temporary residence programs will have application status trackers like the one launched in February for spousal, partner and dependent child sponsorship applicants. The citizenship application status tracker that launched for clients in May 2021 will be expanded to include access to representatives sometime this month.

Also, IRCC is improving its online processing times tool to provide more accurate information. Starting in the fall, IRCC will publish forward-looking estimates of how long it will take to process an application.

Modernizing Canadian citizenship

In August 2021, IRCC launched a tool that allows certain citizenship applications to be submitted online. The tool is open to allow groups of adults age 18 and older to apply together. IRCC intends to expand this tool to offer online applications for minors under the age of 18 by the end of the year.

So far this year, Canada has exceeded its citizenship goals for 2021-2022, admitting more than 217,000 new citizens. So far this fiscal year, from April 1 to July 31, Canada has welcomed more than 116,000 new citizens compared to 35,000 in the same period in 2021.

More than 300,000 new permanent residents so far in 2022

In 2021, IRCC set a historic record by admitting more than 405,000 new permanent residents to Canada. Our target for 2022 is to welcome 431,000 permanent residents, and we are well on our way to achieving it. As of August 22, Canada has welcomed over 300,000 permanent residents to Canada, surpassing the milestone earlier than in any previous 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," Fraser said in the release. "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.”

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in first French-language draw of December
A picture of Montreal's Old Port on a sunny autumn day.
IRCC’s backlog shrinks for the first time in months
The Canadian flag against a bright blue sky
New immigration fees effective December 1
A woman with her laptop and calculator calculating her application fees to IRCC.
Can I get Ontario health coverage on a work permit?
A doctor examines a patient who likely is on his work permit in Ontario.
Top Stories
Are you eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian immigration?
Report identifies occupations set for salary increases in Canada in 2025
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
A young woman sits at a table with books and a laptop.
How can I apply for Canadian citizenship?
A picture of a girl holding two Canadian flags
Here’s what you can expect during your virtual citizenship ceremony in Canada
A woman in a red blazer smiles while sitting in front of a laptop.
What’s the difference between Canadian permanent residency and Canadian citizenship?
A person with a packed bag stands on a road with the Canadian flag in front of them.
Link copied to clipboard