RECOMMENDATION 1

That the Government of Canada further develop its e-application system to prevent delivery delays for applications. That the Government of Canada make the visa application system more user friendly to allow hosts to enter information directly in an e-application that can be submitted for processing.

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the Government of Canada continue to liaise with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in order to enhance the protection and privacy of personal information collected at visa application centres abroad.

RECOMMENDATION 3

That the Government of Canada explore the feasibility of an alternative fee structure for an express visa service that is timely and achieves business commerce needs.

RECOMMENDATION 4

That the Government of Canada make publicly aware to applicants that, in many circumstances, they can retain their passports during the application process and that when passports are collected by the government, they are returned as promptly as possible.

RECOMMENDATION 5

That the Government of Canada continue its efforts to reduce fraud in student visa applications by expediting its efforts to implement proposed regulations which seek to ensure that students come to Canada to designated institutions. In implementing these regulations, CIC should continue to work closely with the institutions affected.

RECOMMENDATION 6

That the Government of Canada explore the feasibility of conducting in-person interviews in situations where there is a possible risk of trafficking in persons seeking entry to Canada as part of larger groups.

RECOMMENDATION 7

That the Government of Canada consider establishing exit controls for border crossings by air and water, in addition to the existing exit controls at land border crossings, and to ensure that CBSA and CIC officers have the information they need to target high-risk passengers efficiently.

RECOMMENDATION 8

That the Government of Canada equip CIC and CBSA officers with the tools they need to monitor immigration lookouts on all intercepted lookouts.

RECOMMENDATION 9

That the Government of Canada review existing training and guidelines with a view to ensuring that administratively clear instructions and appropriate training and quality assurance measures are in place to improve the consistency and clarity of decisions made by visa officers. Particular attention should be given to the meaning and application of dual intent provisions in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

RECOMMENDATION 10

That the Government of Canada review the visa application guide in order to give applicants a better understanding of the information required to fill in a complete visa application.

RECOMMENDATION 11

That the Government of Canada consider establishing a list of countries whose nationals may be eligible for expedited visitor and student visas. That it also establish an appropriate fee structure that would better recover the costs of processing applications, including those for expedited visitor visas.

RECOMMENDATION 12

That the Government of Canada establish a program that streamlines applications from foreign nationals who have already been screened by the United States and examine the feasibility to include those screened by the European Union.