Canadian Immigration : IRCC Update on the Backlog
Update from Canadian Immigration: Latest on Application Backlogs
On August 29, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the latest update on the immigration application backlog. According to the report, which is always a month behind, there were a record 2,364,700 citizenship, immigration, and visa applications in progress as of July 31.
Notably, the backlog of applications that exceed the usual IRCC service standards has surpassed 1 million for the first time since November 2022, reaching 1,002,400. This data encompasses a range of application types, including citizenship, permanent residence, and temporary residence.
| Application Type | Applications With Backlog | Applications Within Service Standards | Total Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 39,000 | 193,500 | 232,500 |
| Permanent Residence | 299,000 | 467,200 | 766,200 |
| Temporary Residence | 664,400 | 701,600 | 1,366,000 |
| Total | 1,002,400 | 1,362,300 | 2,364,700 |
Comparision with Previous Data
A comparison of the backlog data from June 30 and May 31, 2024, shows notable changes across all application types from the previous months.
| Application Type | Backlog (July 31) | Backlog (June 30) | June 30 to Aug 29 Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 39,000 | 40,500 | -3.70% |
| Permanent Residence | 299,000 | 301,800 | -0.93% |
| Temporary Residence | 664,400 | 594,300 | 11.80% |
| Total | 1,002,400 | 936,600 | 7.02% |
The data indicates a reduction in the backlog for citizenship and permanent residence applications between June 30 and July 31, with citizenship applications decreasing by 3.70% and permanent residence applications by 0.93%.
Conversely, there has been a substantial rise in the backlog for temporary residence applications, which increased by 11.80%. This surge has led to an overall increase in the total backlog by 7.02% over the two-month period.
Future Backlogs Projections
The IRCC’s continued efforts to manage the backlog are anticipated to lead to a potential reduction of 20-30% in the total backlog by mid-2025.
Here are the official IRCC backlog projections for the end of this month
| Category | Backlog Projected by End of Aug 24 | Actual Backlog at the End of July 24 | What IRCC Projected by End of July 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 16% | 17% | 17% |
| Express Entry | 15% | 17% | 15% |
| Express Entry PNP | 20% | 23% | 20% |
| Spouses, Partners, and Children (except for Quebec) | 15% | 14% | 15% |
| Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) | 43% | 64% | 60% |
| Study Permits | 18% | 24% | 12% |
The emphasis continues to be on improving processing efficiency, especially in the temporary and permanent residence categories, which have experienced the greatest variations recently.
IRCC’s approach involves increasing technological use, optimizing resource allocation, and making policy adjustments to address the growing demand for immigration services.
These efforts are designed to keep the Canadian immigration system both responsive and efficient, despite the increasing volume of applications.
Implications on the Applicants
The IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within their service standards, with a backlog below 20% considered normal.Current backlog and future projections indicate that IRCC has achieved this goal for citizenship, express entry, and family sponsorship applications.However, the department continues to face challenges with temporary residence applications, largely due to a surge in new applications.This includes temporary resident visas (TRVs), study permits, and work permits, with TRVs and work permits experiencing the most significant impact.
Conclusion
