The new status trackers are for Express Entry candidates in the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Classes (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). This will also apply to the candidates of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program are the two most popular economic immigration routes for newcomers. Canada is looking to welcome about 190,000 immigrants through the two routes combined this year. This figure is set to grow to more than 230,000 immigrants in 2025.

The most recent data from IRCC showed 47,868 applicants waiting in line for the Express Entry program as of January 31, and 66,214 for the PNP.

Status trackers are meant to increase transparency by providing customers with direct access to information more efficiently than when contacting IRCC through any other channel.

The new online status tracker marks another effort by IRCC to reduce wait times and improve access information. The department says that this is part of the ministry’s commitment to increase transparency and that application status tracking will be available for more types of applications in the coming months.

This is the latest development in IRCC’s digitization strategy and will make it easier for applicants to access their information. Exactly one year ago, IRCC created status trackers for family category permanent residence applicants, sponsors and their representatives to more easily check the status of their applications online.

IRCC’s efforts for digitization

Last September, IRCC announced that it would begin a transition to 100% digital applications for most permanent residency programs. Between September to October 2022, the department has made it possible to apply online for the following:

• Provincial Nominee Program (Non-Express Entry)
• Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers
• sponsoring a spouse or partner
• sponsoring a dependent child
• sponsoring a qualifying relative
• sponsoring an orphaned sibling, niece or nephew, or grandchild
• Adopting a Child Through the Immigration Process
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

This is in addition to other economic immigration programs such as temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence, the Atlantic immigration program and several Quebec immigration programs which include

• Quebec-Selected Investors
• Quebec-Selected Entrepreneurs
• Self Employed People (Quebec)

IRCC has already digitized most of the process of applying for citizenship. Currently, permanent residents over the age of 18 can complete their citizenship application online, whether applying as a couple or as a family of adults.

Minors under the age of 18 still have to apply on paper and a family with children under 18 must apply, the entire family must apply on paper.

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