Question Period Note: AI AND AUTOMATION FOR IMMIGRATION DECISIONS

IRCC’s use of automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Embracing technology is essential to modernizing our immigration system and improving client service.

Advanced analytics can help identify routine applications for streamlined processing. This allows our officers to focus on more complex cases that require greater judgment.

• Our tools do not refuse applications. All refusals are made by trained IRCC officers who remain accountable for outcomes.

• Before any new tool is introduced, we carefully assess its impacts on clients and our immigration system, including for fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

If pressed:
• While technology might help some clients get decisions on their applications sooner, the complexity of an application will always be a key factor in how long it takes for it to be processed.

The use of advanced analytics (AA) enables IRCC to automate some processing steps for routine applications. By leveraging technology, IRCC is able to direct officer resources toward more complex or sensitive applications, and increase the efficiency of our processing.
IRCC follows TBS directives and conducts Algorithmic Impact Assessments (AIA) and undergo Gender-Based Analysis Plus assessments for all automated systems that support officer decision-making, whether these systems use AI or not, to promote transparency and mitigate bias or discrimination. The AIA is GC’s oversight process intended to determine risk and reduce potential negative impacts of automated systems.
IRCC has been using AI and advanced analytics for several years to support routine processes and improve efficiency. However, the recent surge in AI capabilities and global adoption has significantly changed how these technologies can be used and how they are perceived. This rapid evolution highlighted the importance of having a clear, cohesive strategy to guide how we use AI responsibly and effectively. IRCC’s AI Strategy formalizes our current approach to using AI. While IRCC has developed guidelines and a framework for AI governance for more than a decade, this technology has evolved significantly in that period of time.

Publishing an AI Strategy now ensures we can set priorities, strengthen safeguards, and ensure our tools support employees and programs while continuing too protect fairness, transparency, and privacy. IRCC is always working to be a leader in the responsible use of data-driven technologies, and has developed its approach to align with the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making, as well as other key legal and privacy requirements.

IRCC use of automated systems
• IRCC is using a number of innovative approaches to manage high application volumes, improve service delivery, maintain program integrity, and enhance the client experience.
• To better serve our clients, IRCC leverages digital tools to enhance processing efficiency, in alignment with the authority granted under section 186.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which permits the use of electronic systems, including automated systems, may be used to make a decision or determination. IRCC’s approach to automated systems, including those developed and leveraging advanced analytics and AI is, by and large, facilitative in nature. Models are put in place to streamline processing and approve straightforward cases, never to automatically refuse applicants. All models go through a rigorous review process before implementation, to ensure they are equitable, explainable, privacy protecting, contribute to our commitment to transparency, and are technically sound.
• IRCC’s use of automated systems can be divided into the following broad categories:
o Automating positive eligibility determinations
o Distributing applications between officers based on available capacity or the characteristics of the application (e.g. one that requires a decision-maker with local knowledge)
o Identifying applications that may require additional verification
o Creating ‘annotations’ that summarize basic information on each client to reduce officer searches in the Global Case Management System
o Triaging client emails to enable faster replies
o Assessing biometrics

• None of IRCC’s automated systems, including those that have been developed with AA and AI, can refuse an application, nor can they recommend a refusal to an officer. All final decisions to refuse applications are made by officers after thorough review. Officers are provided with training on IRCC’s automated decision support tools, in order to ensure they understand that when a tool dones not automatically approve and application, it does not meant that the application should be refused.
• IRCC does not allow the use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in support of decision-making on client applications. It is important to distinguish between ‘routine automation’ of repetitive tasks and ‘intelligent automation’; one is based on rules set up by humans, and the other leverages AI for learning and decision-making. IRCC does not use intelligent automation.
• The Department is using AI technologies across different functions: predictive analytics for application triage, generative AI for creating summaries, and conversational AI chatbots to respond to client questions. With the help of AI-powered conversational assistants, our employes can do routine administrative tasks faster, so they can focus on complex tasks. However, none of our AI-enabled tools can make or recommend refusals, those decisions remain solely with our officers.
• IRCC continues to approach generative AI usage with an emphasis on caution, in line with guidance for public servants provided by Treasury Board Secretariat.
Key projects
• In 2018, IRCC began using advanced analytics to help officers triage online Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications from China and India. In January 2022, the China and India models were updated, and a third model was introduced for TRV applications from all other countries. All three of these advanced analytics models function in the same way: they sort incoming files to streamline officer review, and they automatically approve the eligibility portion of certain straightforward applications.
• In spring 2021, IRCC launched another advanced analytics project for in-Canada Family Class spousal and common-law applications. Similar to the TRV models, this project aimed to automate some positive eligibility determinations and enable the strategic allocation of resources so that all applications can benefit from this initiative. All applications that do not receive an automated eligibility approval by the model are sent for an individualized assessment by officers in accordance with standard practice. In May 2024, IRCC expanded its use of advanced analytics to all spousal and partner applications under the family class. Two new tools were launched to help process overseas family class spousal and partner applications to reunite families sooner by automating some positive eligibility determinations.
• In 2023, the Integrity Trends Analysis Tool (ITAT), was launched as part of broader departmental efforts to become a more data-driven organization – one that makes evidence-based decisions with efficiency, consistency and a commitment to program integrity. The goal was to leverage proven technology to optimize globalized risk management in the ever-growing inventory of temporary resident applications.

• ITAT uses AI (ML/AA) to uncover risk patterns, which the Department then uses to identify incoming applications that may require further verification. ITAT’s outputs are not shared directly with officers making decisions on individual applications, and ITAT does not automatically put “red flags” on certain clients’ files. Instead, ITAT looks for cases where our officers have confirmed that clients have previously attempted to misuse our programs – for example, by verifying supporting documents and determining that they are fraudulent.

• A two-step, “human-in-the-loop” process helps to guard against the risk that officers might refuse an application simply because it was flagged by an automated system. ITAT only reviews data in client applications. It does not automate or replace human decision-making, and it is not used for immigration and criminal investigations.

• In October 2022, IRCC began using advanced analytics to help identify low-complexity in-Canada temporary resident applications (Visitor Records) for positive eligibility determination. The model also optimizes processing by triaging the remainder of cases into homogeneous groups to optimize file management and work sharing.
• In late 2023, IRCC launched an automated decision support tool for International Experience Canada work permit applications. In addition to the posting of an Algorithmic Impact Assessment, the department ramped up transparency efforts by also posting a peer review and a GBA Plus assessment for the model. IRCC will continue to work to post additional assessments along with Algorithmic Impact Assessments for our automated decision support tools to provide a larger window into how these tools are developed and utilized.
• In late 2025, IRCC launched GeoMatch, a two-year pilot project. This algorithmic tool offers personalized recommendations on where to settle in Canada to help applicants achieve the best economic outcomes. The tool is completely voluntary and does not influence any administrative decision-making.
• In early 2026, IRCC launched IRCC Assistant (Beta), a secure, internal AI chatbot that provides ChatGPT‑like capabilities while safely handling information and complying with all IRCC security requirements. IRCC Assistant (Beta) is a productivity tool designed to support employees in their daily work, including writing, editing, summarization, and analysis. It does not replace official guidance, professional judgment, or delegated authority.
• The IRCC Assistant (Beta) supports, but does not replace, employees. Staffing reductions at IRCC are not linked to AI tools. IRCC is pursuing measured AI initiatives to improve the efficiency of employees’ daily work.

• In 2026, IRCC is actively exploring the use of AI tools to enhance client service, streamline operations, improve program integrity, and safeguard the immigration system against fraud and cyber threats.
• Past media coverage has incorrectly suggested that IRCC’s ‘Chinook’ tool employs AI or AA to automate decisions. Chinook is a processing aid that simplifies the visual representation of a client’s information in a format that is more user-friendly for officers. Chinook is not powered by AI or AA, and does not make or recommend decisions on applications.
Ensuring responsible use of data-driven technologies
• The department has developed detailed guidance, including a Policy Playbook on Automated Support for Decision-making, to help consider how these technologies can be used responsibly, effectively and efficiently. IRCC is also enhancing its internal governance framework to ensure that new decision support tools go through a rigorous review and approval process. A broad-based committee of senior executives acts as the key oversight body in this governance framework.
• IRCC is always working to be a leader in the responsible use of data-driven technologies, and has developed its approach to align with the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making, as well as other key legal and privacy requirements. IRCC is committed to transparency, publishing more Algorithmic Impact Assessments on Canada’s Open Government Portal than any other federal department or agency.
Protecting individuals’ personal information continues to be a priority for IRCC as the Department tests new and innovative approaches. The use of personal information for analytics-based processing is in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Privacy Act. Our AI and automation tools do not collect new personal information. They only use information that IRCC already collects and that is necessary to process applications. This may include information shared by law enforcement or security partners through established information-sharing agreements.

OTHER MESSAGING
• Rules used by tools to approve eligibility have gone through an extensive review process for potential bias impacts.
• Before we explore any technology to support one of our services, multidisciplinary teams assess the quality of data available and the needs specific to that service, including the benefits and impacts for clients, the integrity of our immigration system, and the safety and security of Canadians.