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IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)

IRCC, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, is the federal government department responsible for immigration to Canada. It decides visitor visas, study and work permits, permanent residence, refugee resettlement, citizenship, and Canadian passports.

Written by the NorthAmericans Editorial TeamLast verified: Expert review in progress
On this page
  1. What IRCC does and does not do
  2. Frequently asked questions
  3. Official sources

What IRCC does and does not do

IRCC runs Express Entry, processes most applications online, sets fees, and publishes processing times. It was called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) until 2015, so you may still see "CIC" in older documents.

Other bodies handle related steps:

  • CBSA: border entry and enforcement.
  • ESDC: the LMIA process for employers.
  • Provinces: the PNP; Quebec selects its own economic immigrants.
  • IRB: refugee claims and appeals, including the IAD.

IRCC also sets the yearly immigration levels plan, which caps how many people are admitted in each category. It will never ask you to pay by gift card or cryptocurrency. See how Canadian immigration works and processing times.

Frequently asked questions

Is IRCC the same as CIC?

Yes. CIC was the department's former name until 2015.

How do I contact IRCC?

Through your online account messages or the IRCC web form. Phone lines are limited.

Does IRCC decide who enters at the border?

No. CBSA officers decide at the port of entry.

Official sources

  1. IRCC: Official sitecanada.ca
  2. IRCC: Check processing timescanada.ca

General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.