Key Takeaways
- IRCC’s workforce cuts of 3,300 jobs over three years aim to reduce spending, likely worsening visa processing delays significantly.
- Immigration targets have been lowered, potentially exacerbating labor shortages in crucial sectors like healthcare, education, and IT industries.
- Applicants and sectors are urged to prepare early as workforce reductions strain Canada’s immigration system, impacting families, businesses, and students.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced major workforce reductions that are expected to increase visa processing times for people looking to enter Canada 🇨🇦. The department confirmed it will be cutting around 3,300 positions over the next three years, representing about 25% of its total workforce. This decision is part of an effort by the federal government to reduce spending and return to pre-pandemic levels, while also working towards newly lowered immigration targets.
The IRCC’s workforce grew significantly during the past few years, nearly doubling from 7,900 employees in 2019 to more than 13,000 as of March 2024. The planned reduction will mainly be through temporary contracts ending, staffing adjustments, and eliminating planned new hires. About one-fifth of these cuts will result in permanent job losses, with affected employees receiving at least 30 days’ notice.
Bigger Delays Expected for Visa Processing Times
Canada’s visa processing system has already struggled with delays in recent years, and these workforce reductions are expected to make things worse. According to immigration experts, applicants for citizenship, permanent residency, and other visas will likely face even longer wait times. This is likely to hit families seeking reunification, businesses relying on skilled foreign workers, and industries such as healthcare that urgently need employees, especially hard.
Rubina Boucher, the National President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), criticized the decision, calling it “reckless.” She emphasized the extensive effects these cuts will have on individuals and Canada’s economy. Similarly, Philipp Reichert, director of global engagement at the University of British Columbia, expressed concern that the cuts would “add pressure to an already strained system,” leading to longer delays for various immigration applications.
IRCC already processes a high volume of applications across many categories, from permanent residency to temporary visas. For example, as of January 2025, the processing times were already significant:
– Citizenship applications: 7 months
– Permanent Resident (PR) card (new): 22 days
– PR Card renewal: 28 days
– Family sponsorship applications: 10 months for applicants outside Canada and 24 months for those inside Canada
– Economic programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months
– Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 6 months
– Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 6 months
For temporary applicants:
– Visitor visas: 22 to 164 days (depending on location)
– Study permits: 9 weeks (plus an extra 4 weeks for Indian applicants)
– Work permits: 18 weeks (for Indian applicants)
Given the workforce cuts, these wait times are expected to grow further.
Impact on Various Sectors
Families waiting for reunification and applicants seeking permanent residency are among those who will be the hardest hit, but the effects go even further. Sectors like education may find themselves facing more significant challenges. Educational institutions have already raised concerns that these cuts may reduce IRCC’s ability to inform and guide schools on immigration policies, which could create further confusion.
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) has warned that visa delays, already slow compared to other countries, might make Canada less attractive to students from abroad. These delays could slow down the international education sector, which contributes billions of dollars to the Canadian economy each year.
Similarly, the labor market is likely to feel the sting of longer wait times for work visas. Businesses in sectors like IT and healthcare, which depend on foreign talent, may struggle to fill vacant positions. Canada has been dealing with labor shortages in industries like healthcare, but if skilled workers face delays in entering the country, those shortages could worsen.
New Immigration Targets Add to the Picture
These workforce reductions come alongside Canada’s sharp decrease in its immigration targets for the coming years. Previously, the federal government planned to admit up to 500,000 permanent residents annually by 2025. However, this target has been adjusted downward, with the country now aiming to admit:
– 395,000 permanent residents in 2025
– 380,000 in 2026
– 365,000 in 2027
This decline has raised questions about how Canada will address ongoing labor shortages while also reducing the immigration levels.
Delays in the Education Sector
Adding to concerns is how delays are already affecting students planning to study in Canada. Near the end of 2024, study permits from outside Canada had a processing time of about 11 weeks, and those applying from within Canada had to wait around 8 weeks. With workforce reductions, these times could spiral further.
Adding more strain to the system is the introduction of new transfer requirements as of November 2024, which is increasing the number of study permit applications being submitted. Immigration experts and educational leaders fear this trend may make an already slow process even worse.
What IRCC Recommends for Applicants
With expected delays, IRCC is strongly urging visa applicants to apply as early as possible. Preparing applications in advance can help avoid disruptions to travel or immigration plans. Importantly, all forms and documents must be accurate and complete to avoid having an application sent back for corrections.
The department has also stressed that applicants should avoid reapplying if their current application is delayed. While some may think reapplying could speed things up, it only pushes their case to the back of the line, resulting in even longer delays. IRCC has reassured the public that applications will continue to be processed in the order they are received.
In addition, IRCC has introduced measures in recent years to provide regular updates to applicants. The department now offers monthly updates on processing times to give applicants a clearer picture of how long their application might take. These “forward-looking” processing times could help some applicants better plan their next steps. However, many of these improvements may be undermined by the new workforce reductions.
Looking Ahead
The decision to cut 3,300 jobs at IRCC and reduce immigration targets represents a significant shift in Canada’s immigration priorities. For applicants, this likely means longer waits in the months and years ahead. While IRCC continues to emphasize careful preparation and early applications, the challenges posed by fewer workers handling the same volume—or possibly more—of immigration applications will undoubtedly create tensions.
Sector leaders, immigration advocates, and affected individuals remain concerned about the wide-ranging effects of these decisions. Whether the government will modify its approach to meet these challenges remains to be seen.
For the latest updates on visa rules, processing times, and policy changes, be sure to check official resources like the IRCC portal here regularly. Additionally, analysis from VisaVerge.com reveals how global applicants and industries are adjusting their strategies in light of this shifting landscape.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s immigration system now faces a complex challenge: improving efficiency while reducing its workforce. For families, students, and skilled workers, this could mean adjusting plans to account for delays. By applying early and staying informed about official announcements, applicants can reduce some of the challenges they might face.
At a time when immigration plays such a key role in Canada’s economy and culture, how this shift unfolds will be watched closely by people worldwide.
Canada’s visa processing times set to slow amid workforce cuts
Canada’s immigration department (IRCC) will cut roughly 3,300 positions — about 25% of staff — over the next three years, which is expected to severely impact visa processing times. The cuts align with Canada’s lower immigration targets and a federal push to trim spending.
Why it matters: The workforce reductions come as visa processing for citizenship, permanent residency, and other immigration applications already faces delays, potentially affecting families, businesses, and healthcare sectors reliant on immigration.
State of play:
– IRCC’s workforce had nearly doubled from 7,900 employees in 2019 to 13,000 in 2024, but these planned reductions will reverse much of that growth.
– The cuts include ending contracts, temporary staffing, and permanent roles, with at least 30 days’ notice for those laid off.
What they’re saying:
– Rubina Boucher, President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union, called the decision “reckless,” citing the impact on individuals and the economy.
– Philipp Reichert, Director of Global Engagement at UBC, predicts longer wait times will add further strain to an already stretched immigration system.
By the numbers:
– Citizenship grants currently take 7 months to process.
– Permanent residency (PR) card renewal times stand at 28 days, while family sponsorship applications take up to 10-24 months.
– Economic immigration streams like the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program require 5-6 months to process, while visitor visas can take 22-164 days depending on origin.
– Study permits take at least 9 weeks, rising to 13 weeks for Indian applicants.
Between the lines: Reduced staffing likely means:
– Processing times for all visa categories will increase further.
– Canada’s slow visa approval process could deter immigrants, students, and skilled workers in favor of competitor countries.
Yes, but: IRCC advises applicants to:
– Apply early to avoid disruption.
– Double-check that all documents are accurate and complete to prevent delays.
– Avoid reapplying for submitted applications, as it risks pushing cases to the back of the queue.
The bottom line: With cuts shrinking IRCC’s capacity and immigration targets lowered, visa applicants should brace for significant delays across immigration programs. Early application and vigilance in ensuring document accuracy are crucial to navigating these challenges.
Learn Today
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada): A Canadian government department responsible for immigration, refugee protection, and citizenship matters.
Permanent Residency (PR): A legal status allowing foreign nationals to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely without citizenship.
Express Entry: An online immigration application system managing economic immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Study Permit: An official document allowing foreign nationals to study at designated educational institutions in Canada for a specified period.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): A program enabling Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on regional labor market needs.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s immigration system braces for slower visa processing as IRCC slashes 3,300 jobs—25% of its workforce—over three years. With backlogged applications and reduced immigration targets, families, students, and businesses face longer delays. Applying early and staying informed is crucial as Canada balances workforce cuts with growing immigration demands, impacting industries nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
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