IRCC has declared the introduction of new automated tools to assist in the processing of PGWP & work permit extensions.
Presently, not much is known about the new automation tools apart from the fact that they will take on two crucial tasks, which are usually handled by IRCC officers, i.e., triage & the eligibility assessment of applications.
How Will These New Tools Be Utilized?
The triage function of new automated tools takes on ‘clerical & repetitive tasks’ associated with the sorting of applications by priority. Well, in theory, it allows the immigration officers more time to focus on demanding functions like giving approvals on applications.
According to IRCC, some instances of an application needing urgent processing could be a foreign medical doctor involved in treating patients or a foreign worker traveling urgently for business or due to a death in the family.
Moreover, new automation tools will be used to help determine the eligibility of applications. According to IRCC, automated tools will help assess whether a case is routine or not & can further determine if a candidate is eligible for PGWP & work permit extension using criteria developed by immigration officers. This will enable IRCC officers to automate the eligibility assessment of these applications.
The eligibility criteria to determine the urgency as well as eligibility criteria of applications are incorporated into IRCC’s new automated tools. This criterion is based on the legislative & regulatory framework for Post Graduation Work Permit & work permit extension programs. Moreover, these new tools will be routinely assessed to determine if their decisions are consistent with IRCC criteria & decisions made by IRCC immigration officers.
Can These New Automated Tools Refuse Applications?
The new automated tools have limits to their oversight. For instance, while automated measures can automatically approve an applicant’s eligibility, they cannot refuse or recommend the refusal of an application. In addition, applications that have not had their eligibility automatically approved might still obtain manual approval from an IRCC immigration officer.
This results in the fail-stop of IRCC’s new automation, which means that an immigration officer still needs to assess admissibility & make a final decision of denial or approval. Moreover, officers also have the ability to overturn decisions made by these tools. This is a vital measure & key to IRCC’s commitment to using technology responsibly for the benefit of immigrants/ newcomers.
Furthermore, the new automation of PGWP & work permit extensions is subject to numerous reviews. Automated systems had to undergo an algorithmic impact assessment to assess the effect of tools on application processing, which was considered to be moderate. Additional reviews are set to take place, including potential discriminatory impacts, privacy & security functioning, etc.
How Will These Tools Affect The Processing Of Applications?
While it is hoped that new automation tools will aid IRCC in processing applications in a timeline, it remains too early to conclude this.
In a press conference held earlier this year, Sean Fraser spoke about the widespread use of AI, advanced analytics, & automated tools within the immigration department. Maintaining that a human being is still responsible for making final decisions, Sean Fraser cited massive gains in both productivity & higher approval candidate rate.