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As of January 24, 2024, the latest information from the IRCC backlog report indicates that Canada has been dealing with many immigration and visa applications.
The IRCC is still getting a large number of new applications, and by December 31, 2023, the total number of applications they were handling had reached 2,221,100.
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Canada is seeing a surge in new applications for temporary residency, covering visitor visas, work permits, and study permits.
The immigration backlog refers to any application related to citizenship, immigration, or temporary visas that takes longer than the usual processing time set by the immigration department.
You can check the IRCC service standards, categorized by application type, by clicking here.
The backlog for temporary residency applications has gone up by 7.42%, bringing the overall processing inventory to 1,257,000 since the last update on backlogs.
Interestingly, there’s a 6% decrease in the backlog for citizenship applications, but a 7.42% increase for permanent residency applications. The overall inventory for these applications rises by 6.65%.
Backlogs Details of Various Applications Month by Month
Here’s a breakdown of the Canadian immigration backlog for different application types, comparing month by month:
| Application Type | Dec 31 | Nov 30 | Difference Since Nov 30 | Percentage Change Since Nov 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 49,800 | 53,000 | -3,200 | -6.04% |
| Permanent Residence | 308,900 | 287,300 | 21,600 | 7.52% |
| Temporary Residence | 590,800 | 550,000 | 40,800 | 7.42% |
| Total | 949,500 | 890,300 | 59,200 | 6.65% |
IRCC’s Monthly Triumph in Processing Backlog Within Service Standards
Here’s the month-by-month comparison of applications processed within service standards:
| Application Type | Within Service Standards, Dec 31 | Within Service Standards, Nov 30 | Percentage Change Since Nov 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 212,300 | 216,700 | -2.03% |
| Permanent Residence | 393,100 | 365,700 | 7.49% |
| Temporary Residence | 666,200 | 620,000 | 7.45% |
| Total | 1,271,600 | 1,202,400 | 5.76% |
Backlog in 2023
Here is a summary of the IRCC backlog updates for the year 2023:
| Backlog Update Date | Applications In Backlog | Total Applications Under Processing | Backlog Net %Age Change month-on-month |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | 949,500 | 2,221,100 | +6.65% |
| November 30, 2023 | 890,300 | 2,092,700 | -4.93% |
| October 31, 2023 | 936,500 | 2,166,800 | 0.86% |
| September 30, 2023 | 928,500 | 2,194,900 | 9.9% |
| August 31, 2023 | 844,700 | 2,198,700 | 5.2% |
| July 31, 2023 | 802,600 | 2,274,600 | 0.2% |
| June 30, 2023 | 801,000 | 2,264,000 | -2.3% |
| May 31, 2023 | 820,000 | 2,248,000 | 1.4% |
| April 30, 2023 | 809,000 | 2,006,000 | -9.7% |
| March 31, 2023 | 896,300 | 2,017,700 | -1.5% |
| February 28, 2023 | 910,400 | 1,962,600 | -6.6% |
| January 31, 2023 | 974,600 | 1,944,500 | 6.1% |
The Canadian government faced criticism for accepting an unprecedented number of permanent and temporary residents amid the housing crisis.
In a recent development on January 22, the Immigration Minister revealed a decision to impose a limit on the admission of international students to Canada.
What Is the Anticipated Backlog by the IRCC for 2024?
As per the official projections from IRCC for 2024, it is anticipated that backlogs will see a reduction on a monthly basis.
The forecasted backlog percentages for various application categories by February 28, 2024, are as follows:
- Federal High Skilled and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry): 15–17%
- Citizenship and spousal sponsorship applications: 15–17%
- Study and work permit backlog projection: Between 32% and 36%
- Temporary resident or visiting visas backlog projection: 68%
Notably, any percentage equal to or less than 20% signifies that IRCC is meeting the service standard for that specific immigration category. These projections provide insights into the expected improvements in reducing backlogs throughout 2024.
Reasons for Slow Processing
The slow processing of applications by IRCC can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the nature of IRCC processing involves a meticulous and thorough review of each case on an individual basis, leading to a time-consuming process.
Moreover, the IRCC processes have not fully embraced recent technological advancements over the last 10–15 years, which may contribute to operational inefficiencies.
Another significant factor is the surge in the number of new applications coming from various parts of the world. This influx, combined with the files accumulated during the pandemic, has resulted in a substantial backlog. The sheer volume of applications requires careful examination, further slowing the processing times.
In essence, a combination of the intricate review process, technological limitations, and an unprecedented increase in application numbers have contributed to the perceived slowness in IRCC processing. Efforts to streamline processes and adapt to modern technologies are crucial to addressing these challenges and improving overall efficiency.