Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a department of the Government of Canada responsible for matters concerning immigration to Canada, refugees, and Canadian citizenship. Established in 1994, its core mission is to build a stronger Canada by developing and implementing policies, programs, and services that facilitate the arrival and integration of people, maximize their contribution to the country, protect the health, safety, and security of Canadians, and uphold Canada's humanitarian tradition by protecting refugees. The department's headquarters are located in Ottawa, Ontario.

IRCC's key services include facilitating the entry of temporary residents, managing the selection, settlement, and integration of newcomers, granting Canadian citizenship, and issuing Canadian passports and other travel documents to eligible citizens. The department also develops Canada's admissibility policy, which sets the conditions for entering and remaining in Canada, and conducts screening of potential permanent and temporary residents in collaboration with its partners.

As of June 2026, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab serves as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, with Ted Gallivan as the Deputy Minister. Recent notable activities include the freezing of new citizenship by descent approvals and a review of existing certificates, as announced on June 24, 2026. The department has also been involved in proposing new regulations to modernize the asylum process and holding meetings with Federal–Provincial–Territorial Immigration Ministers to discuss sustainable immigration. IRCC is recognized for managing one of the world's largest and most generous immigration programs, aiming to enhance Canada's economic, social, and cultural prosperity.