Latest IRCC Data: Canada Immigration Backlog Rises by 5.25% - September 26, 2023
As of September 26, 2023, the latest update from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicates a 5.25% increase in the backlog of immigration applications under processing.
Temporary Residency Applications
The backlog for temporary residency applications has decreased by 6.11%, going from 1,346,200 applications to 1,264,000 since the last IRCC backlog update. However, it’s essential to note that a significant portion of applications within IRCC service standards has transitioned into backlogs, resulting in an 11% increase in the temporary residency backlog.
Citizenship Applications
In contrast, the backlog for citizenship applications has seen a significant reduction of nearly 11% compared to the previous update.
Permanent Residency Applications
The backlog for permanent residency applications has registered only a minimal increase of 0.17%. However, there has been a 2.3% increase in the processing inventory for this category.
IRCC Backlog Projections for 2023
Official IRCC estimates for 2023 suggest that backlogs will continue to decrease steadily month by month. Here are the official backlog forecasts provided by IRCC for the end of October 2023 for various application categories:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry) and Federal High Skilled, including Express Entry: 20% backlog.
- Citizenship and spousal sponsorship applications: Backlogged by 19–24%.
- Work visas: 20% backlog.
- Study visas: 9% backlog.
- Visas for temporary residence or travel: 34% backlog.
Please note that if the percentage is 20% or below, IRCC is meeting the service standards for that specific application type.
Distinguishing Backlog Data from Service Standards
Understanding the difference between backlog data and service standard data is crucial. For instance, a spousal sponsorship application typically takes a year to process. If an application is under processing and has not exceeded the 12-month processing time, it is not considered part of the backlog. Instead, it is deemed regular processing. It is only considered part of the backlog if its processing time exceeds the 12-month mark.
IRCC aims to process 80% of submitted applications in accordance with these service standards.
Latest Update on IRCC Backlog in 2023
As of August 31, 2023, the IRCC was actively processing 2,198,700 applications for citizenship, immigration, and visas. The latest update on the Canada immigration backlog indicates a 5.25% increase, with the backlog now standing at 844,700 as of August 31, 2023, compared to 802,600 on July 31, 2023.
