Canada has introduced a wide-ranging internal reorganisation of its immigration system, reshaping how authority is assigned to officers handling immigration, refugee, and humanitarian cases. The changes are formalised in a newly issued Instrument of Designation and Delegation (IDD), which sets out how immigration powers are exercised across federal agencies.
The revised framework was approved by Immigration Minister Lena Diab and published on January 16, 2026. Although released this month, the changes officially came into force on December 15, 2025, replacing the previous delegation structure adopted in early 2025.
Also Read IRCC Restructures Immigration Authority to Speed Up Decisions
What the Updated IDD Means for Canada’s Immigration System
The IDD functions as the legal backbone of Canada’s immigration administration. It determines which decisions can be made by immigration officers and which must remain with the minister. Through this document, authority is delegated to officials within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and, in limited cases, the RCMP.
Under the 2026 framework, officers are now authorised to exercise 189 separate powers, while 15 high-level powers continue to be reserved for the immigration minister alone.
Reform Driven by Efficiency and Public Service Restructuring
This restructuring comes at a time when the federal government is pursuing broader reforms across the public service. With the Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney seeking to reduce administrative layers and overall staffing levels, IRCC’s new authority model aims to deliver faster services while maintaining regulatory oversight.
The redesign reflects a shift toward clearer role definitions and decentralised operational decision-making.
Broader Authority for Frontline Immigration Officers
A key feature of the new IDD is the expansion of authority across multiple operational areas. Officers working in settlement, resettlement, and application processing are now empowered to handle a wider range of immigration decisions.
In addition, IRCC has created a dedicated Service Delivery Sector, granting its officers the authority to:
- Conduct eligibility and admissibility assessments
- Evaluate medical inadmissibility
- Decide on temporary resident applications, including study and work permits
- Make determinations on permanent residence cases
The government expects this redistribution of authority to reduce delays and improve consistency across application types.
Top Stories
- British Columbia Adjusts Immigration Costs for Skilled Foreign Workers
- Canadian Government Expands Benefit Program, Offering Hundreds of Dollars to Eligible Newcomers
- Canada Set to Revamp LMIA-Exempt Work Permits in 2026: Key Policy Shifts Ahead
- Alberta Reveals Immigration Focus for 2026 as Provincial Nominations Increase
- Canada Issues 6,000 PR Invitations in New CEC Express Entry Draw
- Canada Holds Targeted Express Entry Draw for Provincial Nominees
- Canada Increases PR Intake for French-Speaking Immigrants by 5,000 Spaces in 2026
Clearer Rules for Quebec-Bound Permanent Residents
The updated delegation framework also clarifies decision-making authority for cases involving Quebec. Officers within Resettlement Operations are now explicitly authorised to refuse permanent resident visas for applicants intending to settle in Quebec if they do not possess a valid Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
This adjustment is intended to prevent misaligned approvals and speed up processing by ensuring federal decisions reflect Quebec’s selection rules.
Immigration Regions Consolidated Worldwide
IRCC has significantly simplified its international structure by reducing the number of geographic regions overseeing immigration processing. The department now operates across five global regions:
- Americas and Caribbean
- Europe, Maghreb, and Multilateral Relations
- Middle East
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Indo-Pacific
Previously, IRCC maintained nine distinct regions, including separate divisions for South Asia, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and the United States. The consolidation is designed to standardise decision-making and strengthen regional accountability.
Related Stories
- Canadian Government Expands Benefit Program, Offering Hundreds of Dollars to Eligible Newcomers
- Canada Set to Revamp LMIA-Exempt Work Permits in 2026: Key Policy Shifts Ahead
- Canada Issues 6,000 PR Invitations in New CEC Express Entry Draw
- Canada Holds Targeted Express Entry Draw for Provincial Nominees
- Canada Increases PR Intake for French-Speaking Immigrants by 5,000 Spaces in 2026
Refugee and Asylum Functions Split for Specialisation
Another major change affects how refugee-related files are managed. The former unified branch responsible for both asylum and resettlement has been divided into two specialised entities:
- Asylum Branch, focusing on in-Canada refugee claims
- Resettlement, Family, and Humanitarian Branch, handling overseas resettlement and humanitarian pathways
Under the new delegation model, entry-level officers can assess eligibility for refugee claims, while senior officers are responsible for ineligibility determinations and complex decisions. This tiered approach is expected to speed up initial assessments without compromising procedural safeguards.
Updated Titles and Operational Terminology
The new IDD also modernises internal job titles and operational language. Among the updates:
- Introduction of a new Manager role at the PM-05 level in key operational branches
- Renaming Integrity Risk Management to Migration Integrity Operations
- Reclassification of overseas immigration officials as Migration Officers
These changes aim to better reflect contemporary responsibilities and international migration realities.
What Applicants Should Expect in 2026
While the restructuring does not change immigration eligibility rules, applicants may notice differences in processing speed, officer communication, and decision pathways. The updated system is designed to reduce internal bottlenecks and improve consistency across regions.
For students, workers, refugees, and permanent residence applicants, the changes signal a more streamlined, but tightly governed immigration process.
Outlook for Canada’s Immigration Administration
The 2026 IDD marks one of the most comprehensive internal reforms to Canada’s immigration decision-making system in recent years. While no further changes have been announced, the scale of the overhaul suggests IRCC is preparing for long-term operational efficiency amid evolving immigration demands.
