Following a detailed review triggered by media reports, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revamped its application processing system to address concerns about files assigned to inactive employee IDs. Previously, tens of thousands of immigration applications were stuck in limbo, assigned to codes of former employees or placeholders. After public scrutiny, IRCC transitioned to using “generic IDs” to ensure no files go unnoticed. This move is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency, ensuring smoother processing for immigration applicants.
The overhaul began after it was discovered that many applications had been incorrectly assigned, causing delays in their processing. IRCC officials have since reassigned those files to active personnel and eliminated inactive employee IDs from the system. This significant change aims to prevent such issues from recurring and is part of a broader effort by IRCC to improve its internal workflows and service delivery.
Critics, including immigration lawyers and advocates, had long voiced concerns about the opacity and inefficiency of IRCC’s file management system. Many applicants faced prolonged waits, unaware that their applications were stuck in inactive queues. This situation created frustrations for those in urgent need of permanent residency or citizenship. Following the media coverage and public outcry, IRCC undertook a thorough review to identify and resolve these issues.
One of the cases brought to light was that of Andrea Bote, an applicant whose file was assigned to an inactive ID. Her application was finally processed and approved four months after the media report. This case, along with others, highlighted the importance of maintaining a functional and transparent system that prevents applications from being lost or delayed.
Nova News, in its commitment to supporting immigration applicants, sees this development as a positive step toward a more reliable and accountable system for processing immigration and citizenship applications. The use of generic IDs ensures that files are actively monitored, preventing the previous issues where files were left unattended.
This proactive approach not only helps streamline the application process but also offers a greater sense of trust and reliability in the Canadian immigration system. We will continue to support immigration-related initiatives, this change brings hope for smoother and faster pathways for applicants seeking to build their future in Canada.