With the COVID19 global pandemic in full swing, and with the aim of maintaining its original citizenship goals, IRCC set on an aggressive digital transformation, and on November 26, 2020, Canada became one of the first countries in the world to offer citizenship testing online. The launch of the online solution was a success and by July 31, 2022, over 406,000 people had taken virtual citizenship tests. With a good grasp of what it takes to run such an important platform and keep its digital footprint strong, Canada is now able to invite about 5,000 applicants per week to complete the test.
IRCC also started offering virtual citizenship ceremonies on April 1, 2020, and by July 31, 2022, more than 394,000 people had taken the Oath of Citizenship in close to 15,000 ceremonies using a digital platform.