Canada to Rely on Immigrants More than Ever
On November 1, 2022, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, released Canada’s 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan (“Immigration Plan”).
The Immigration Plan aims to admit 500,00 immigrants per year by 2025, and it signals a recognition that Canada’s economic growth, especially the growth of its workforce is almost entirely dependent on new immigrants.
To achieve this, the Government of Canada is focusing on a number of priorities that will impact the immigration system. Some of the priorities are:
Implementing the digital transformation of immigration processing.
Focusing on the economic streams of the immigration system.
Digital Modernization
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) has already started to implement the digital modernization of its platforms. On September 1, 2022, IRCC announced the transition to 100% digital applications effective September 23, 2022, for most permanent residence programs (link). For a list of the programs that have gone fully digital, go to the following link.
Other programs that have also moved to a fully digital application include the application for refugee claims.
The digital modernization means that applicants must now open a portal for the type of application they seek to enter. If it is a permanent residency application, they need to create an account with the Permanent Residence Portal. If it is a refugee claim, they need to create an account with the Refugee Portal.
While the intent is to help IRCC process applications faster, the new online portals have been plagued by glitches, bugs, and accessibility barriers. The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (“CILA”) reported that applicants’ profiles have expired while waiting for fixes to the glitches, and IRCC’s response has been to ask applicants to try again. “This response is alarming, as it ultimately places the burden on the applicant to deal with the consequences of a dysfunctional portal.” (link)
The online portal also presents major barriers to applicants with restricted access to computers or low computer skills. This is particularly concerning for refugee claimants, many of whom come with little to no resources, low levels of English or French, and may lack the education to navigate the online applications.
Focus on Economic Class
The economic immigration class accounted for 62% of all admissions in 2021 (link). Since 2015, IRCC has managed economic class applications primarily through the Express Entry system, which includes three main programs for skilled workers:
1. Canadian Experience Class;
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program; and
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Applicants under the Express Entry are selected in regular draws based on their scores in the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).
With the Immigration Plan, Canada will continue to get the majority of its permanent residents through the economic class.
IRCC has also signaled some important changes on how Express Entry candidates could be selected in the future. On May 2, 2022, the Minister of Immigration discussed the option of changing the selection method of the Express Entry system. Rather than basing selection on scores, Express Entry applicants could be subjected to targeted draws. This means, draws could be based on specific occupations, language, or other criteria, rather than the overall profile of the applicant.
On September 23, 2022, IRCC also indicated it will prioritise physicians to help address doctor shortages (link). Foreign born physicians who work in the fee-for-service model of health care in Canada, are considered self-employed, and that made them unable to meet eligibility criteria for the economic pathways. To address this, IRCC made physicians exempt from this requirement.
Final Thoughts
The digital modernization of immigration applications implements an inflexible, one-size-fits all method, and each applicant is unique. On top of this, the constant glitches make it difficult for applicants to complete applications on their own. Despite the digital modernization, many people seeking to apply for permanent residency or make a refugee claim will continue to require help with their applications.
Camino Law Group can help. We provide our clients strategies for immigrating to Canada and assist them with their online applications. We also take care of communicating with IRCC when glitches arise, or if your application has unique characteristics that require a tailored approach.
It is also clear new and major changes are coming to Canada’s immigration system. Camino Law Group stays up-to-date on these changes and ensures its clients have the latest information.
If you need help with your application or you want to know how to immigrate to Canada, please contact us.
Rick La (Immigration Consultant) – rickphulaw@camino-lawgroup.ca
Cesar J. Agudelo (lawyer) – cesara@camino-lawgroup.ca