IRCC Canada will lay off 3,300 to reduce workforce processing PR applications 

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in Canada has revealed plans to slash approximately 3,300 positions, resulting in around 25 per cent of its workforce, by 2027. This move is part of a wider federal strategy targeted at moving back to pre-pandemic spending levels to align with lower immigration targets.

The workforce reductions will largely result from planned staffing eliminations, temporary contract terminations, and short-term staffing adjustments. Approximately 20 per cent of the cuts will involve permanent workforce reductions, with affected employees receiving at least 30 days’ notice.

The announcement has sparked concerns over potential visa delays, as the workforce of IRCC has seen substantial growth in recent years, nearly doubling from 7,900 employees in 2019 to over 13,000 by March 2024.

Impact on visa processing times

The anticipated cuts will most likely make the issue of visa processing much worse.

Thus immigration specialists are warning that applicants seeking citizenship and permanent residency may experience even more delay.

In many ways, this is going to hit hardest on the families waiting for reunification, businesses that depend on internationally skilled workers, and already over-stressed, borderline understaffed services like healthcare.

Rubina Boucher, National President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), criticized the decision as “reckless,” due to its extensive impact on individuals and the broader economy.

Reduced immigration targets and limits

Canada is limiting the number of temporary residents that it will allow, as it made changes to its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 which lowered targets for permanent residents adding to the strain on the government.

Canada currently has a target of 395,000 residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and finally 365,000 in 2027. Compared to the plan of allowing 500,000 permanent residents by 2025, this is a steep drop.

The country is also now setting measures for the first time for more people to be let into the country on a temporary basis which includes students and workers who will not be more than five per cent of the population by the end of 2026.

Although the changes made will mitigate the social services, housing and infrastructure which the country is currently facing, it will almost certainly increase delays for those applying for visas.

Along with cutting back on the workforce, the decision to lower immigration levels has not come without criticism.

Visa applicants are advised to take into consideration possible delays and plan to limit disruptions.

It is best for individuals applying for a Canadian visa to do so well in advance while also making certain that all forms and documents have been filled accurately to avoid delays in processing.

In addition, applicants should monitor changes to the IRCC policies and the processing time using government communications.