Service Standards
IRCC aims to process 80% of applications across all lines of business within service standards. The service standard varies depending on the type of application. For example, a permanent residence application through an Express Entry program has a standard of six months, while the service standard for spousal and child family class sponsorship is 12 months. Temporary residence applications have service standards that range between 60-120 days depending on the type of application.
Highest-ever Immigration Targets
The Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 plans to welcome over 500,000 new permanent residents to Canada each year by the end of 2025. This is due to the urgent gaps in the labour force, with up to nine million Canadians expected to reach retirement age by 2030. o further facilitate the entry of immigrants, IRCC has also introduced several measures to recognize foreign credentials and support labour market integration of skilled newcomers into the health sector. Additionally, the Economic Mobility Pilot Program has received additional funding to support 2,000 skilled refugees. These measures combined with a streamlined application process and improved service standards are sure to pave the way for an influx of newcomers to Canada in the years to come.
Summary
IRCC has achieved record breaking immigration levels in 2022, processing an all-time high of 4.8 million applications. The department has implemented changes to modernize services, hired new staff and introduced sector-specific initiatives to increase the number of immigrants arriving in Canada. Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 is aiming to invite over 500,000 new permanent residents to Canada each year by the end of 2025, welcoming newcomers to work, study, visit, or settle in the country. The high target comes as the country is seeking to fill urgent gaps in the labour force due to the impending retirement of nine million Canadians by 2030. To meet this goal, IRCC has introduced several measures to increase the number of immigrants arriving in Canada. These include extending work permits to the spouses and working-age dependents of temporary foreign workers, lifting the 20 hours-per-week work cap for international students, and expanding the Atlantic Immigration Program and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
