Canada’s Immigration backlog surges to over 1 million applications
As of August 31st, Canada’s immigration backlog has reached 1,078,300 applications, reflecting a 7.57% increase from the previous month. This uptick highlights ongoing challenges within the immigration processing system, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), released on September 24th.
The total number of applications currently under processing stands at 2,420,800, raising concerns among individuals seeking citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency.
The backlog includes nearly 1.1 million delayed applications across various categories. Specifically, the breakdown shows 38,600 citizenship applications are currently delayed, while 190,600 have been processed on time. For permanent residency, 300,800 applications are pending, compared to 504,800 that have met expected processing times. The temporary residence category sees the highest delays, with 738,900 applications outstanding, while 647,100 have been processed within designated service standards.
Recent trends indicate that citizenship applications have decreased by 1.02% since July, while permanent residence applications have slightly increased by 0.60%. Conversely, temporary residence applications have surged by 11.21%, driven by a higher demand for visas.
Processing results within service standards have shown mixed outcomes. Citizenship applications processed within standards dropped by 1.50%, while permanent residence applications saw an 8.04% increase. However, the processing of temporary residence applications within standards fell by 7.77%.
To tackle the backlog, the IRCC is implementing several initiatives aimed at improving resource allocation and leveraging technology. Projections suggest a potential 20-30% reduction in backlog by mid-2025, provided the high demand for temporary residence visas is effectively managed.
This backlog, particularly in the temporary residence category, is impacting prospective immigrants and students, leading to extended processing times. Nevertheless, improvements in permanent residency processing offer hope for those seeking long-term settlement in Canada. Applicants are advised to keep their submissions updated to help minimize delays.
