Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s
Forward Regulatory Plan
Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) to modernize online requirements for permanent residence processes
Enabling Act: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Description
Amendments are being proposed to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to require that electronic applications be made online and allow for electronic confirmation of permanent residence (PR) status. These measures aim to streamline the application process, address processing backlogs, and modernize Canada’s immigration system.
The amendments would permanently implement digital requirements that are currently captured under two temporary measures:
- Ministerial Instructions establishing online applications as the default for PR lines of business; and
- A Temporary Public Policy waiving the requirement for clients in Canada to present a permanent resident visa to an officer.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Regulatory cooperation efforts are not required.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
This regulatory amendment will primarily impact foreign nationals.
Consultations
This initiative is in the early stages of development. The Department plans to consult with targeted stakeholders as work advances. The timing and approach for consultations will be added to this section once known. This is a long-term regulatory initiative. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will target publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II for winter 2024.
Departmental contact information
James McNamee
Senior Director, Permanent Economic Branch
Economic Programs Sector
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Email: James.McNamee@cic.gc.ca
Telephone: 613‑899‑4859
Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: April 1, 2023