Online portal launched for 7 immigration programs

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced an online portal for permanent residence on April 1. Some of the major Canadian immigration programs have made the transition from a paper-based process to an online system.

Following is the list of immigration programs under which you can apply now through an online-based application process:

• Non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP);
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP);
• Agri-Food Pilot;
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP);
• Quebec Selected Investor Program;
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program; and
• Quebec Self-Employed Persons Program;

You can still apply for these immigration programs on paper. IRCC will gradually introduce this portal as part of this small group of programs, as they have relatively lower intake volumes compared to other economic or family streams.

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The immigration service introduces the portal with a limited group of applicants to integrate the new admission procedure and make improvements if necessary. IRCC is also working to digitize other hard-copy programs.

IRCC has made this effort to give the immigration applicants an online option so that they can have many options to apply for a PR Visa. It should also help applicants avoid COVID-related mailing delays.

IRCC told CIC News the department had developed tools and practices to make the immigration system more efficient before the pandemic. COVID-19 has just accelerated the need for upgrades.

Marco Mendicino - Immigration minister, stated his vision is to make all the immigration process to be contactless and virtual beyond the pandemic.

Since March 2020, Canada has also digitized citizenship tests and participated in online citizenship ceremonies. IRCC also launched an online settlement process, which eliminated the need for approved permanent residents to go through in-person interviews, in most cases.