IRCC Automated Tools to Process Post Graduation Work Permit & Work Permits Applications.
October 16, 2023 IRCC added an algorithmic impact assessment (AIA) of automated tools to speed up the processing of in-Canada work permit applications.
This may be achieved if implemented on two automation tools, one for Post-Graduate Work Permit and the other for in-Canada Work Permit applications.
These tools are somewhat similar to what IRCC is already using to process visitor records in-Canada spousal & common-law sponsorship, TRV’s and Privately sponsorship refugee applications.
This is an expansion from IRCC’s use of proven automation technologies to process WP’s and PGWP smoothly.
How does an Automation Tool work?
All automation tools classify applications into tiers according to the level of complexity and identify routine applications to speed-up the process.
A quality assessment is usually done on a client’s data to find flaws like missing values, outdated, incomplete and inconsistent.
The tools are used to examine if they are rational, relevant and non-bias.
For routine applications that receive automated positive eligibility determination, data is sent to the Global Case Management System to record approvals.
In order to limit a Processing Officer from using a GCMS for information an excel spreadsheet including the triage results for all applications and important details that officers need to access an application is provided alongside.
Officers don’t just go through the spreadsheet for information. In order to make a right and informed choice they go through all the information provided.
The triage results and other information is provided in an unbiased manner to prevent an officer’s decision.
Officers receive training on how to use the output, but they are to allow that to ever take their place. The tools perform a faster scan through available information and summarizes the results for decision making.
However, the tools will only automate approvals of eligibility they will not make or recommend any decisions on ineligibility. The tools themselves have no negative impact.
What about complicated applications?
These tools may only find an applicant’s eligibility when they are judged routine for fast processing.
However, complicated applications are given to officers for a routine manual process and decision making.
The tools can only find the positive eligibility of routine applications, they can’t determine negative eligibility nor can they suggest refusal.
The tools do not check applications for admissibility, but known issues with admissibility are used as part of the triage process to make sure that complicated applications are sent to officers that are qualified to evaluate.
Officers are in charge of conducting admissibility evaluations, they must examine all relevant file information while processing applications.
As per IRCC officials have the last say in all application decisions.
No use of AI
This outlines that every application is given a unique evaluation. These tools were not created using machine learning or AI.
They only rely on regulations made by IRCC for eligibility and admissibility standards. Officers are taught to make choices independently of the triage results. Furthermore, the user handbooks make it clear that the triage bins are administrative groups that are supposed to streamline processing and don’t offer advice or whatsoever regarding the risk level of an applicant.
IRCC has put in place a continuous quality assurance procedure to monitor id the officers and tools determine the eligibility in an effective way. This method guarantees that the instruments have no biasness.
Both tools go through a review procedure for guidelines as a measure of protection. Senior executives, legal, policy, and data science experts, as well as experienced officers, look over rules before they are made public and often afterward to make sure they are fair, reasonable, clear, and follow the rules for who is eligible.
To make sure the tools work as intended and to make sure bias or discrimination takes place, regular monitoring and quality assurance would be helpful.
However, rules for these tools will not be made public in order to protect the integrity of the Immigration System.
What is the need for using automated tools?
The main reason behind implementing them is the “Existing Backlog of work or cases”.
Furthermore, IRCC wants to use an innovative approach to streamline application processing and to facilitate a more efficient use of IRCC resources in the processing of applications, assist in managing the growing volume of applications and improving processing time.
Applicants will primarily benefit from quick decisions as a result of more efficient processing.
Eventually, IRCC officers will have more time to concentrate on other cases when regular applications are determined to be eligible, which results in a more efficient application processing.
What kind of data does IRCC process?
The AIA also provides information on the type of input data usually processed by the Immigration Department, that is, information provided by the applicants through their application and any supporting documentation they submit.
This may be a medical examination from a physician who performs the applicant’s medical examination.
Enforcement records from CBSA related to individuals that have been subjected to examination at a port or are being investigated at an inland office.
Additionally, Canada immigration obtains information of people whose entry jeopardizes the Canadian security from law enforcement and investigates bodies working both domestically and abroad.
In order to help with decision making, Canada receives supplementary information from other nations, namely US, Australia and New Zealand.
This information is used to establish the identification of foreigners as well as to obtain otherwise unknown information about clients.