Canada’s immigration process is increasingly digitized, but that can make it difficult to navigate

Many countries are engaged in a global race to attract skilled and talented workers from around the world. But Canada is at risk of losing ground due to recently announced reductions in immigration and restrictive policies.

Many of those already in Canada are also considering moving elsewhere. According to an October 2024 report by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada, one in five immigrants leave Canada within 25 years. Over one-third depart within the first five years, often due to unmet expectations and difficulties in navigating the settlement process.

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Migration is an increasingly digitized process, from visa applications to credential recognition and social services. That means access to digital tools alone is not enough — what also matters is the ability to effectively navigate complex digital systems.

Changes to immigration policies can often leave migrants confused about what their rights are and the opportunities available to them. This confusion can damage Canada’s image as a country welcoming to immigrants.

However, by making it easier to access accurate and timely information about the opportunities available, the government can help skilled migrants make informed decisions to come to Canada, and help the country retain talent.

To better understand the roles of digital tools in this process, my colleague and I at Toronto Metropolitan University are currently researching how digital technology, including social media, shapes migrants’ decision-making and settlement experiences.

This work is part of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration & Integration Program and the Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides Program.

The internet is often the first place many people will look for migration-relation information. However, while the internet offers accessibility, it can also be difficult to find accurate, timely and actionable information.

It can also facilitate the spread of misinformation and subject people to racism. In addition, migrants handling their sensitive documents online face heightened vulnerability to digital scams, phishing attacks and privacy breaches.

Many younger migrants might rely on social media that risks exposure to misinformation, while older migrants might struggle with digital platforms and have limited access to essential services and networks. Newcomers can struggle to find accurate and relevant information and navigate local digital systems, such as government websites or health-care portals.

This digital divide is not just about access to technology. In the context of migration, this divide influences how migrants, regardless of skill level, navigate opportunities, policies and settlement processes.

Discussions of the digital divide in migration mostly focus on vulnerable, “low-skilled” migrants, newcomers with low language proficiency, older immigrants and refugees. However, this divide also plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences of skilled migrants and international students.

For skilled migrants, digital barriers often manifest in subtler yet significant ways. Algorithmic hiring systems can filter out candidates based on non-recognized credentials, automated bureaucracies can make it difficult to appeal decisions or correct errors, and misinformation online can create unrealistic expectations or lead to costly mistakes.

Moreover, constant technological shifts intensify deskilling challenges. Furthermore, lack of access to the right digital professional networks where critical job information circulates limits skilled migrants’ career prospects.

In our study, we found that skilled migrants prioritized information about immigration policies in their migration decision-making process, followed by information on employment opportunities, health-care services and housing. They generally regarded government websites, such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as trustworthy sources.

However, while these websites provide official and authoritative information, they can often be difficult to navigate due the breadth of information people need to navigate, technical language and bureaucratic terminology.

Many skilled migrants struggle to locate the specific information they need, so they often turn to alternative sources such as online forums, social media groups, and YouTube channels, where information is shared by others who have been through the immigration process.

These platforms offer what can be described as “expertise from below,” providing real-time insights, first-hand experiences and practical strategies for navigating immigration pathways. However, these sources can also spread misinformation and misinterpretations of immigration policies, often leading to costly mistakes and unnecessary delays.

Given the limitations of both institutional websites and informal online forums, many skilled migrants and international students seek guidance from immigration and education consultants. However, this reliance often exposes them to another set of risks: unregulated or fraudulent consultants who exploit migrants.

There is a need for more inclusive and user-friendly digital infrastructures. Since migrants’ information needs evolve pre- and post-arrival, targeted strategies to disseminate authorized information are also necessary.

Many young people, including migrants, regularly use social media. To ensure digital tools support rather than mislead migrants, the Canadian government must use online platforms to share migration information in a way that is clear and accessible.

In addition, IRCC and provincial governments should enhance online resources by offering multilingual, user-friendly portals. AI-powered chatbots, simplified immigration guides in video or storytelling formats, and blockchain-verified advisory services could improve accessibility while preventing misinformation.

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Greater transparency is required in how social media platforms promote migration-related information. Stronger regulations should define these platforms’ responsibilities for removing inaccurate immigration content, similar to fact-checking initiatives for COVID-19 misinformation.

Organizations that help newcomers get settled need increased funding for pre-and-post arrival workshops on navigating official resources and understanding legal rights. Public education campaigns can help to empower migrants to verify information and detect fraud.

By strengthening both digital governance and education, Canada can ensure that a more transparent digital tools are a pathway to informed migration decision-making rather than a source of confusion and vulnerability.