Canadian permanent residents can now apply for citizenship through a newly launched online portal, marking a major milestone in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) efforts to modernize Canada’s immigration system. As of August 11, the digital platform is available to individual applicants aged 18 and over residing in Canada.
Maple News reports that this online application tool is a part of IRCC’s broader mission to transition towards a digital, paperless immigration system. Initially, only adult applicants applying on their own are eligible to use the portal. Applications submitted by representatives, families, or Crown servants residing abroad are not yet supported.
IRCC has outlined a phased rollout plan. Later in 2021, minors and family group applications are expected to gain access to the portal. By 2022, representatives will also be permitted to submit applications on behalf of clients, and Crown servants living outside Canada will be included as well.
Permanent residents who have already submitted a paper application are advised not to reapply through the online system, as per guidance from IRCC.
The platform was first piloted in late 2020 to test capacity and functionality. It allows users to complete applications at their own pace, upload supporting documents, submit payments, download PDFs, and receive confirmation that their application has been submitted.
This new digital infrastructure arrives amid a broader digital shift within Canadian immigration services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, IRCC has introduced online citizenship tests, virtual citizenship ceremonies, and remote confirmations of permanent residency — all part of Minister Marco Mendicino’s vision of a more accessible and paperless system.
The online citizenship application portal represents a significant step towards more streamlined and efficient immigration processing, enhancing convenience for applicants while aligning with Canada’s long-term digital transformation goals.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on the rollout of the digital citizenship pathway as further updates become available.