Is Your Visa Stuck? Canada’s Immigration Backlog Hits New High
Canada's immigration backlog nears 1.1M applications, with temporary residence seeing the largest surge. Discover trends, processing updates, and future projections.
Gurmeet Sharma
Canada's immigration backlog has surged, nearing 1.1 million pending applications across various categories, according to recently released data. The latest figures from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show a total of 1,078,300 backlogged applications, marking a 7.57% increase from the previous month.
The IRCC's report, published on September 24, provides an overview of the status of applications for citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency. With 2,420,800 applications under processing as of August 31, this backlog remains a significant challenge for those looking to immigrate to Canada. This article will examine the latest data, compare it to prior months, and provide insight into what future trends might hold for Canada's immigration system.
Breakdown of the Canadian Immigration Backlog
As of August 31, 2024, the backlog stood at nearly 1.1 million applications, delayed across citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency categories. Below is the breakdown of the current situation:
| Application Type | Backlogged Applications | Applications Within Service Standards | Total Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 38,600 | 190,600 | 229,200 |
| Permanent Residence | 300,800 | 504,800 | 805,600 |
| Temporary Residence | 738,900 | 647,100 | 1,386,000 |
| Total | 1,078,300 | 1,342,500 | 2,420,800 |
Trends in Immigration Processing
To better understand the current trends, it's essential to compare the August figures with previous months. The table below highlights key changes:
| Application Type | August 31 Backlog | July 31 Backlog | Month-on-Month Change (July to August) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 38,600 | 39,000 | -1.02% |
| Permanent Residence | 300,800 | 299,000 | +0.60% |
| Temporary Residence | 738,900 | 664,400 | +11.21% |
| Total | 1,078,300 | 1,002,400 | +7.57% |
- Citizenship applications saw a slight decrease of 1.02%, continuing a positive trend.
- Permanent residence applications experienced a minor increase of 0.60%.
- Temporary residence applications saw a significant surge of 11.21%, driven by the increasing demand for student, visitor, and work visas.
Applications Processed Within Service Standards
The number of applications processed within IRCC's service standards also shifted from July to August:
| Application Type | August 31 Within Service Standards | July 31 Within Service Standards | Month-on-Month Change (July to August) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 190,600 | 193,500 | -1.50% |
| Permanent Residence | 504,800 | 467,200 | +8.04% |
| Temporary Residence | 647,100 | 701,600 | -7.77% |
| Total | 1,342,500 | 1,362,300 | -1.45% |
- The number of citizenship applications processed within service standards dropped by 1.50%.
- Processing for permanent residence improved, increasing by 8.04%.
- Temporary residence applications processed within service standards fell by 7.77%, indicating a larger portion of applications entering the backlog.
Future Projections for Canada’s Immigration Backlog
IRCC has several initiatives aimed at reducing the backlog. The department has set a goal to process more applications within the service standards, with a particular focus on the permanent and temporary residence categories. Below are the projections for the backlog:
| Category | Backlog Projected by End of September 2024 | Actual Backlog at End of August 2024 | IRCC Projection by End of August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 16% | 17% | 11% |
| Express Entry | 15% | 16% | 15% |
| Express Entry PNP | 20% | 22% | 20% |
| Spouses, Partners, & Children (except Quebec) | 15% | 14% | 15% |
| Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) | 60% | 71% | 43% |
| Study Permits | 30% | 32% | 18% |
| Work Permits | 14% | 47% | 22% |
Impact on Applicants
The growing backlog, particularly for temporary residence, is affecting prospective immigrants, international students, and workers. With 738,900 applications delayed, applicants may face extended processing times. However, improvements in permanent residency processing offer some optimism for those seeking long-term settlement in Canada.
Key Takeaways
- As of August 31, 2024, Canada's immigration backlog is approaching 1.1 million applications.
- The largest increase in backlog is in the temporary residence category, while citizenship and permanent residence applications are experiencing gradual improvements.
- IRCC projects a 20-30% reduction in backlog by mid-2025, but challenges remain, especially for temporary residence applications.
These figures show the importance of monitoring application processing times closely and ensuring that all submissions are complete to avoid delays.
