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05 Jan

Canada has a plan in the works to fast track some visitor visas

Canada is set to expedite the processing of certain visitor visas as part of its strategic immigration initiatives, according to recent announcements by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The commitment is outlined in the immigration department's report, "An Immigration System for Canada’s Future."
As part of this initiative, Canada intends to prioritize the processing of certain visitor visas, particularly those related to tourism, major conferences, and events. The move is geared towards facilitating the entry of individuals attending such gatherings in Canada, as long as they are registered with IRCC.The action plan, presented alongside insights gathered from consultations with Canadian stakeholders, highlights Canada's efforts to align its immigration system with evolving economic and demographic needs. Among IRCC's goals is a focus on reducing wait times and enhancing service standards for newcomers, aiming to create a more welcoming experience for those entering the country for various purposes.

This step is not the first in Canada's efforts to improve services for visitor visa applicants. In June of the current year, IRCC expanded its list of "partial visa exempt countries" by adding 13 more nations, bringing the total to 67. This allows travellers from these countries to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a traditional visitor visa. Notably, eTA applications are typically approved much faster, often within minutes, providing a more efficient process for eligible visitors.

 While much attention is usually directed towards permanent residence and long-term immigration, IRCC emphasizes that temporary residents, including visitor visa applicants, are a significant aspect of Canada's immigration system. Towards the end of the previous year, the department acknowledged a surge in visitor visa applications, noting that Canada is now processing more applications than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, in November 2022, IRCC processed over 260,000 visitor isas, surpassing the monthly average of 180,000 applications in 2019.