Canada’s immigration department, IRCC, has announced a plan to fast-track the processing of visitor visas for specific groups. This move is part of a broader strategy, detailed in a report titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future” aimed at streamlining Canada’s immigration process to better serve the country’s economic and social needs.
IRCC has committed to prioritizing visa processing for individuals coming to Canada for significant events, such as major conferences, which are registered with the department. This initiative is one of several efforts by the Canadian government to reduce wait times and improve service for people moving to or visiting Canada.
This focus on enhancing the visitor visa process is not IRCC’s first step towards improving accessibility for international guests. Earlier in June, IRCC expanded its “partial visa exempt countries” list to include 13 more countries, allowing travelers from a total of 67 countries to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a traditional visitor visa. This change has made the application process quicker for many, with most eTA applications being approved in just minutes.
Despite the emphasis on permanent residency and long-term immigration, IRCC is also keenly aware of the importance of temporary visitors to Canada. Toward the end of 2022, the department highlighted its efforts to manage an increasing number of visitor visa applications efficiently. In November 2022 alone, more than 260,000 visitor visa applications were processed – a significant increase from the monthly average of 180,000 applications in 2019.
As Canada continues to attract visitors from around the globe, these strategic changes aim to facilitate a smoother entry process for those attending significant events and enhance the overall experience for all visitors to Canada.
