Maple News reports that Canada has resumed its citizenship testing program online, marking a significant step in the country’s modernization of immigration services following an eight-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new online citizenship test platform, currently in a pilot phase. Priority access is being given to individuals whose in-person tests were cancelled due to the pandemic, as well as those who have been waiting the longest.
Once the system’s reliability is confirmed, IRCC plans to gradually expand access to a broader group of applicants. A wider rollout is anticipated in early 2021, pending successful performance evaluation of the platform.
To maintain the integrity of the testing process, identity verification will be required before starting the test. Applicants will need to submit a photo of themselves and their ID using a webcam. The system will also capture images periodically throughout the session for security purposes, a method commonly used during other high-stakes online exams.
The test itself mirrors the format of traditional in-person assessments. Applicants will have 30 minutes to answer 20 multiple-choice questions. Once invited, test-takers will have a 21-day window to complete the exam at a time that suits them.
Applicants do not need to proactively contact IRCC. Notifications and instructions will be sent by email to those selected to take part in the online process. There is also an option to wait for in-person testing if preferred, although IRCC has yet to announce when that will resume.
According to IRCC, the move toward online testing was already in progress before the pandemic, forming a key part of a broader effort to modernize Canada’s citizenship and immigration processes.
This digital transition not only ensures continued access to essential services during public health restrictions but also sets the stage for a more accessible and efficient testing environment in the future, supporting thousands of newcomers on their journey to Canadian citizenship.