IRCC Backlog Grows as Canada Aims to Reduce Temporary Resident Numbers

Canada's immigration system is facing a growing challenge as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has seen its application backlog surpass one million for the first time in months. As of July 31, 2024, there are over 1,002,400 applications in the backlog, out of a total of 2.36 million applications being processed.

This backlog represents a significant increase from the previous year. While the total number of applications increased by around 90,100 compared to last year, the backlog itself grew by nearly 100,000 applications.

What is the IRCC Backlog?

An application is considered to be in the backlog if it is not processed within the timeframe IRCC has set as a reasonable service standard. These standards differ depending on the type of application. For instance, Express Entry applications should be processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications typically take 12 months.

Although IRCC aims to process 80% of all applications within these standards, the remaining 20% tend to be more complex or require additional time.

Breakdown of the Backlog

Permanent Residence Applications:
As of July 31, 2024, there were 766,200 permanent residence applications in the system, including those under Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and family sponsorships. Out of these, 467,200 were being processed on time, while 299,000 were delayed.

Temporary Resident Applications (Work, Study, Visitor Visas):
The backlog for temporary residents is more severe, with 49% of applications (or 644,400 out of 1.36 million) not processed on time. Visitor visa applications had the highest backlog, with 64% of applications delayed, followed by 43% of work permits and 24% of study permits.

Citizenship Applications:
In the case of citizenship applications, 17% were in backlog, representing 39,000 applications out of 232,500 total.

Why the Backlog is Growing

Several factors have contributed to this growing backlog. These include global crises, staffing shortages, and misallocation of resources between international offices, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the issue, IRCC has taken steps like prioritizing applications for essential workers in healthcare and agriculture.

In 2024, IRCC also introduced a cap on the number of study permits processed and introduced the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system to reduce study permit fraud. Despite these efforts, the backlog continues to grow.

IRCC's Plan to Reduce Temporary Residents

To tackle the growing number of temporary resident applications, IRCC plans to reduce the volume by introducing a "soft cap" on the number of temporary residents admitted to Canada. This cap is expected to reduce temporary resident numbers to just 5% of current levels in the coming years, with more details to be announced in the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan.

IRCC also plans to update its service standards by the end of 2024, as it continues to work on improving the processing times and reducing the backlog.

Conclusion:
As IRCC works to manage the growing backlog and reduce temporary resident numbers, it is crucial for applicants to stay informed about changes in processing times and immigration policies. For those planning to apply, it may be wise to plan for potential delays.