PACP - Online Application Portals for Refugee Programs - Digital Platform Modernization (DPM) Initiative - December 5, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

Canada started to integrate the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) into its online portal on November 1st, and is expected to launch the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) Program in the portal on December 20, 2023.
In 2022, the Government-Assisted Refugees Program started receiving electronically submitted referrals from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) through an encrypted system, ensuring client personal information protection.

The portal is a secure, efficient and convenient way for sponsors to submit applications and information. Sponsors will receive immediate confirmation of successful submission, thereby avoiding delays and potential issues associated with submitting applications via email.
Utilizing online submissions will enhance the intake process, minimizing manual input and reducing data entry errors. Additionally, it will help prevent the submission of incomplete applications, enabling Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officers to concentrate on advancing complete applications.
Engagement with the sponsorship community has been ongoing throughout the development of the portal to ensure the tool meets their needs. A grace period ending December 31, 2023, is offered to private sponsors to submit applications either through the portal or by email. Submission through the portal is gradually increasing as more information and training sessions are offered by our training partner - Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).

As part of the Digital Platform Modernization (DPM) initiatives, all resettlement streams will provide online services, streamlining the application process and ensuring convenient access to information through the portal. This includes all referrals from UNHCR under the GAR program as well as the One-Year Window of Opportunity.
From fall 2023 onwards, public policy programs will use the permanent residence (PR) portal whenever possible, such as the newly launched Temporary Public Policy for Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada and the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Permanent Residence to Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals with family in Canada.
If pressed in regards to the timeline of the DPM implementation on resettlement programs, DPM implementation will be done by line of business, starting with Temporary Residence, with Resettlement Permanent Residence applications tentatively scheduled for 2025.

2024-04-03