Canada receives a large number of applications through the various IRCC programs. To speed up the processing of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV )applications, IRCC introduced technologies. Canada uses advanced data analytics to process the applications more efficiently and has almost tripled the use now owing to the huge backlog of applications at IRCC.
IRCC is using the technology to make certain tasks and activities, such as using systems to sort applications, automatic. This enables their employees to spend more time on complex applications and decision-making strategies.
Canada’s immigration department has been using this advanced data analytics system since 2018. They have successfully processed more than one million Temporary Resident Visa (TRC) applications at 87% faster speed since then. This means that IRCC officials use this system to process more than 250,000 TRV applications per year. But these are less than half the number of total applications received by IRCC every year. Total number of temporary resident visa permits issued by IRCC is way more than the permits processed through advanced data analytics system.
But now, all temporary resident visa applications from outside Canada will be processed through this software only. A team of experts, including decision-makers, continue to be involved throughout the process of developing and using advanced data analytics systems at IRCC, including careful review for bias and discriminatory impacts. Changes to existing systems happen only under human surveillance, testing and approval.
There is also a pilot program that uses this technology to process spousal and common-law partner sponsorship applications submitted in Canada. Advanced data analytics systems recognize patterns to help accelerate the work and better inform decision-makers.
Advanced data analytics allows officers to identify routine applications for streamlined processing. It determines whether an applicant is eligible, and is not programmed to refuse or reject an application. It always sends a file to an officer to decide if the applicant is admissible to Canada and only the officer makes the final decision.
IRCC conducts privacy impact assessments when developing advanced data analytics systems. Privacy remains a central priority as the use of advanced data analytics is expanded. The use of these analytics systems to support processing temporary resident visa applications and decision-making by IRCC is in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
IRCC is working to be a leader in the responsible use of data-driven technologies and has developed their approach to align with the Directive on Automated Decision-Making.
