Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared its latest update, showing that 2.4 million applications are being processed.
While progress has been made, over 1.05 million of these applications are still taking longer than IRCC’s usual processing times. However, this is a 3.73% improvement from last month.
Understanding the Immigration Backlog: Key Takeaways
Current Status: As of October 31, 2024, IRCC is processing a total of 2,406,000 applications across three major categories: permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship.
- Citizenship Applications: 38,300, reflecting a slight increase of 0.52% compared to last month.
- Permanent Residence Applications: 311,100, showing a 1.93% rise since the previous update.
- Temporary Residence Applications: 706,700, a 6.65% decrease from last month.
Trends and Challenges in the Immigration Backlog
Temporary Residency
The greatest advancement was recorded in the applications of temporary residencies, with the reduction of backlog files by 47,000 units.
Permanent Residency
Programs such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs still have application processing timelines that are considerably longer than the standard. Nonetheless, the backlog has grown by 5,900 applications, which is modest.
Applications Being Processed Within Standard Timelines
| Application Type | Within Service Standards (October 31, 2024) | Within Service Standards (September 30, 2024) | Month-on-Month Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 185,800 | 184,800 | +0.54% |
| Permanent Residency | 519,200 | 510,800 | +1.64% |
| Temporary Residency | 644,900 | 658,000 | -1.99% |
| Total | 1,349,900 | 1,353,600 | -0.27% |
Effects of Backlogs on Applicants and Canada
Labour Market Issues: There are gaps in certain industries reliant on skilled workers due to delays in issuing work permits.
Family Separation: These lengthy waiting times in family sponsorships increase family-related challenges.
Challenges in Economic Integration: Time taken in processing also creates uncertainty and for a good number of immigrants it makes it impossible to appropriately assimilate.
Expectations for the Future
IRCC is undertaking efforts to streamline the backlogs for all categories of applications received. That being said, there are still challenges to overcome such as the growing number of applicants for temporary resident visas and study permits and it is important to take steps such as increasing staffing levels or further engaging in automation in order to achieve goals in the future.
Projected Delays by Category
| Category | Projected Backlog At The End Of December 2024 | Projected Backlog At The End Of November 2024 | Actual Backlog (October 2024) | IRCC’s October 2024 Projection |
| Citizenship | 16% | 16% | 17% | 17% |
| Express Entry | 20% | 20% | 19% | 15% |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 20% | 20% | 25% | 20% |
| Spousal Sponsorship | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) | 61% | 59% | 74% | 61% |
| Study Permits | 26% | 37% | 33% | 32% |
| Work Permits | 40% | 44% | 46% | 7% |
Next Steps for IRCC
- Expanding Resources: Increasing the number of immigration officers during peak periods.
- Technological Advancements: Implementing automation for straightforward application processes to enhance efficiency.
- Policy Revisions: Adjusting the criteria for temporary visas to better manage demand.
Although Canada’s immigration backlog highlights persistent challenges, it also reflects the IRCC’s dedication to progress and resilience.
Applicants and stakeholders can anticipate regular updates as the IRCC continues its efforts to streamline processes.
For the latest information, visit the official IRCC update page.
