December 5th, 2024 at 05:48 am

Canada Makes Progress on Immigration Backlog: Latest Updates on PR and Temporary Visas

In a notable advancement, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a decrease in its immigration application backlog. For the first time since May 2024, the total number of applications in the backlog dropped. As of October 31, the backlog stood at 1,056,100, reflecting a decline of 3.73% from the previous month.

Key Statistics on the Backlog

Here are the latest statistics regarding the immigration backlog:

• Total Backlog Applications: 1,056,100 (down from 1,097,000 in September).
• Overall Applications in Process: 2,406,000.
• Applications Processed Within Service Standards: 1,349,900.

Despite this positive trend, the IRCC continues to strive toward its goal of processing 80% of applications within established service standards.

Understanding the Backlog for Applicants

An immigration backlog arises when the IRCC cannot process applications within its published service timelines. These timelines differ by program and depend on various factors, including demand and available spots.

Although the recent decline in backlog is encouraging, processing times may still fluctuate. Factors such as program type, application volume, and individual circumstances can all influence how quickly applications are reviewed.

Insights into the Permanent Residence Backlog

As of October 31, IRCC reported 830,300 permanent residence applications in its inventory. Out of these, 519,200 applications were processed within service standards. Here’s how the backlog breaks down by category:

• Express Entry Programs: The backlog increased to 19%, up from 17% in September.
• Express Entry-Aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): The backlog grew to 25%, exceeding the projected 20%.
• Family Sponsorship (Spouses, Partners, Children): This category remained stable at 15%, meeting the expected target.

Implications for Applicants

Applicants to Express Entry programs and the PNP should expect possible delays. Conversely, family sponsorship applicants seem to experience consistent processing times.

Temporary Residence Applications

For temporary residence, the IRCC processed 48% of 1,351,600 applications within service standards. Notable improvements include:

• Study Permits: The backlog decreased to 33%, down from 36%.
• Work Permits: A slight improvement, with the backlog reducing to 46% from 47%.
• Temporary Resident Visas: Processing efficiency rose, with 74% of applications processed on time.

Tips for Temporary Residents

Applicants for study and work permits may notice slightly improved timelines. The IRCC’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes should help reduce delays.

Citizenship Applications

The backlog for citizenship grants has remained steady at 17%, consistent with September’s figures. Since November 2023, this category has continuously met its target percentages, indicating stability in processing.

How IRCC Is Addressing the Backlog

The IRCC is implementing several initiatives to tackle the backlog effectively:

• Reduced Immigration Targets: Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan proposes lower permanent resident admissions over the next three years. This approach aims to alleviate pressure on the system.
• Digital Solutions: The introduction of virtual citizenship ceremonies and online portals for checking application statuses aims to enhance workflow efficiency.
• Study Permit Pilot Project: Announced by Canada’s Federal Court in October, this initiative significantly reduces the time required for judicial reviews of rejected study permits. The wait time will decrease from 14-18 months to under five months.

Further Thoughts

IRCC’s latest updates indicate promising progress in reducing Canada’s immigration backlog. While challenges persist, the government’s proactive measures provide hope for applicants awaiting decisions. Prospective immigrants and temporary residents should remain informed about IRCC updates. Utilizing online resources can help applicants track their applications effectively, ensuring they stay updated throughout the process.

In summary, while the path to immigration may still present hurdles, the recent advancements show a commitment to improving the system. Applicants are encouraged to stay engaged and informed, as the IRCC continues to refine its processes and tackle the backlog head-on. This commitment reflects Canada’s dedication to welcoming newcomers while ensuring a fair and efficient immigration system.

Canada Immigration Backlog Increase—IRCC Latest Update

Over the past few months, the backlog at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has been gradually growing. According to the most recent statistics, which were made public on November 4, as of September 30, 2024, there were 1,097,000 applications in the backlog. That is a 1.73% increase over the prior month.

By August 31, the backlog had grown to 1,078,300 applications; by July 31, it had grown to 1,002,400 applications. The July backlog was already noteworthy because it reached over a million for the first time in months. Additionally, the data indicates that 1,353,600 of the 2,450,600 applications in the current inventory are processed following service criteria.

Even while the backlog is still growing, more than 1,342,500 applications were handled in August, indicating an improvement of 0.83% by IRCC.

Making a Backlog Definition

If an application has not been processed per the IRCC’s published service standards, it is said to be in the backlog. Depending on the pathway and the particulars of the application, these guidelines reflect the processing times that the IRCC deems appropriate for each kind of application. Within six months of receiving a full application, for example, the IRCC aims to process the majority of Express Entry applicants.

According to the department, processing 80% of its applications within service standards is its goal. However, according to the IRCC, this objective might not be accomplished if there are more applications than there are spots available, and processing times for some categories might lengthen.

Permanent Resident (PR) Applications

The IRCC has 816,000 applications for permanent residency in its database as of September 24. 510,800 (63%) of these were processed per service requirements. 305,200 of the remaining were regarded as backlog. This covers Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams that are associated with Express Entry, and family sponsorship schemes for partners, spouses, and kids.

The IRCC reports that 17% of Express Entry applications were deemed backlogged, which is more than its expected backlog of 15% but less than its planned backlog of 20%. A somewhat greater backlog was indicated by the Express Entry-aligned PNP of 23% compared to the predicted 20%. Lastly, there was a 15% backlog of applications for spouses, partners, and children (except in Quebec), which is comparable to the anticipated backlog.

Temporary Residence Applications

On the other hand, for the past few months, the percentage of applications for temporary resident status backlogged rises sharply. Only 658,000 of the 1,411,700 applications were handled per service requirements. This results in a 72% backlog of temporary resident applications, which is a significant increase from the 49% backlog in July.

Study permits had a 36% backlog, whereas work permits had a 47% backlog, broken down by program.

Citizenship Grant

The backlog of citizenship applications is the only one that has stayed consistent within the desired percentage since November 2023. The percentage is still the same as it was in August (17%) as of September 24.