Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now experiencing an overwhelming backlog of over one million applications for the first time in several months. As of July 31, 2024, the backlog reached 1,002,400 applications out of a total inventory of 2,364,700 applications. To address the backlog, IRCC has set a goal of reducing the number of temporary residents to manage this increasing volume.
Application Backlog: A Closer Look
On July 31, 2024, there were 2,364,700 immigration applications in total, with 1,362,000 being processed within standard timelines. The backlog affected over a million applications, reflected by an increase of 199,800 applications compared to the same time in 2023 despite a mere increase of 90,100 in total inventory.
Applications are categorized as part of the backlog when they fail to meet IRCC’s standard processing times. These timelines vary depending on the application type. For instance, Express Entry applications are expected to be processed in six months, while family sponsorship applications typically take 12 months.
IRCC’s Processing Targets:
IRCC remains committed to processing 80% of all applications within its service standards. However, the remaining 20% are often more complex cases that require additional time for various reasons.
According to a previous Access to Information request (ATIP), the department promised to review and update these service standards by December 31, 2024.
| Category | Applications in Inventory | Processed Within Standards | Backlog Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residence | 766,200 | 467,200 | 299,000 |
| Temporary Residency | 1,362,300 | 717,900 | 644,400 |
| Citizenship Applications | 232,500 | 193,500 | 39,000 |
Permanent Residency Backlog Expands:
IRCC currently has 766,200 applications for permanent residency under various immigration programs, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, and family sponsorship. Of these, 299,000 applications have surpassed the department’s service standards.
Specific Breakdown of Backlog by Program
The backlog for Express Entry programs sits at 17%, slightly above the projected 15% for July 2024. Despite this rise, IRCC has still managed to meet its target of processing 80% of Express Entry applications within six months.
| Program | Backlog Percentage | Projected Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | 17% | 15% |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 23% | 20% |
| Family Sponsorship | 14% | 15% |
Meanwhile, 23% of PNP applications processed through Express Entry remain in the backlog, higher than the projected 20%. Family sponsorship applications, however, saw a slightly lower backlog than anticipated at 14%, compared to a projection of 15%.
Temporary Resident Applications Face Higher Backlog:
Temporary residency applications, including work permits, study permits, and visitor visas, experienced the heaviest backlog. Nearly half (49%) of all temporary residency applications exceeded the service standards. Out of 1,362,300 applications, 644,400 have not been processed on time.
Breaking Down Temporary Resident Backlog:
- Visitor Visas: 64% of applications are in the backlog, higher than the 60% projection.
- Study Permits: 24% of applications in the backlog, significantly higher than the 12% projection.
- Work Permits: 43% of applications exceeded service standards, compared to the 28% projection.
This surge is partly due to IRCC temporarily suspending study permit processing earlier this year to address study permit fraud. IRCC also introduced a cap on the number of studies permits processed and required provincial governments to use a provincial attestation letter (PAL) system to support this effort.
Completed Applications for Temporary Residency (January–July 2024):
| Category | Applications Finalized |
|---|---|
| Study Permits (incl. extensions) | 508,000 |
| Work Permits (incl. extensions) | 791,000 |
Citizenship Applications Align with Projections:
Citizenship applications aligned with IRCC’s projections for backlog management, unlike other categories. Data from July 2024 shows that 17% of the 232,500 citizenship applications were still in the backlog, with 39,000 pending beyond the service standard timeline.
IRCC’s Actions to Address Backlog:
The growing backlog results from several contributing factors, including a global crisis, staffing shortages, and resource misallocation during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRCC has significantly reduced delays, focusing on critical areas to ensure progress.
Key Initiatives to Reduce the Backlog
- Prioritization of Essential Workers: IRCC prioritized applications from individuals in health care and agriculture, ensuring essential workers received quicker processing.
- Extended Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs): To support master’s graduates, IRCC extended PGWPs from two years to three years.
- Cap on Temporary Residents: As part of the Reducing Temporary Residents strategy, IRCC plans to introduce a “soft cap” on temporary resident admissions, lowering the number by 5% over the next few years. This change will be reflected in the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan, which will be released later in 2024.
| IRCC’s Key Measures | Impact |
|---|---|
| Prioritizing Essential Occupations | Faster processing for health care and agriculture |
| Extending Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) | Additional year for master’s degree graduates |
| Introducing Temporary Resident “Soft Cap” | 5% reduction in temporary residents over coming years |
Future Outlook for Temporary Residents:
IRCC’s strategy to reduce the number of temporary residents will likely have a lasting impact on Canada’s immigration system. The department aims to manage its application inventory more efficiently and reduce processing delays by limiting the number of temporary residents. However, these changes could also affect applicants seeking temporary entry into Canada in the coming years.
With new service standards expected by the end of 2024, IRCC is committed to improving the system and Reducing Temporary Residents alleviating the backlog while maintaining a steady influx of immigrants who meet Canada’s evolving labor and social needs.
