More than one million of the 2.2 million applications for entry into Canada are presently caught in a backlog, frustrating and delaying many prospective immigrants.
A lady who escaped her war-torn country of Palestine has been caught up in the immigration procedure for more than five years, during which time she has been waiting for the ceremony in which she would take her Oath of Citizenship.
The COVID-19 epidemic has contributed to the already-existing backlog, which has reached a high of 2.7 million applications.
The Canadian government, however, has lately announced plans to accept approximately 1.5 million immigrants by the year 2025. While this is an encouraging development towards the goal of assisting more individuals in establishing themselves in Canada, many have found the bureaucratic processes involved in getting permanent citizenship to be an insurmountable barrier.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Sean Fraser responded to this problem by announcing plans to expand the number of professions eligible for permanent residency to 16.
Economic considerations play a significant role in this choice since Canada is experiencing severe labour shortages in important industries, including healthcare, construction, and transportation. Many Canadians have abandoned these fields because of the poor income, excessive hours worked, and lack of protections for workers’ rights that are commonplace in these areas.
Canada Immigration Backlog in Numbers
More than a million individuals, as shown by statistics from a federal government website, are waiting for delayed applications. More than half of the total 2.2 million applications being handled at this time fall into this category.
There is a current backlog of 60% for the 1.3 million persons applying for temporary residency in Canada and 54% for permanent residence applications. One hundred thousand individuals have had their applications for Canadian citizenship delayed, putting their citizenship status in jeopardy.
With a goal of decreasing the backlog by 20% by the end of the year, the Canadian government’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) agency only managed to process 1.7 million applications in 2021.
According to the statistics, the Canada-Ukraine authorisation for emergency travel accounts for almost three quarters of all applications for work permits and sixteen percent of all applications for temporary resident visas.
At a press conference on November 1, Fraser informed reporters that Canada’s 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan “embraces immigration as a strategy to help businesses find workers” in an attempt to “manage the social and economic challenges Canada will face in the decades ahead.”
An unprecedented number of people entered the nation last year, prompting the new strategy. Canada received around 405,000 new citizens in 2021. There will be a target of 465,000 permanent inhabitants by 2023, followed by 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 by 2025.
IRCC Applications at a Glance
The most recent numbers include a detailed breakdown of citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary visa applications. Among them, IRCC has reported:
- 1,055,500 applications within service standards and
- 918,300 applications in backlog (exceeding service standard)
| Line of Business | Inventory | Within Service Standards | Backlog |
| Temporary residence | 1,052,000 | 580,000 | 472,000 |
| Permanent residence | 620,800 | 259,500 | 361,300 |
| Citizenship | 301,000 | 216,000 | 85,000 |
What is the difference between backlog data and IRCC Service Standards?
Understanding the difference between backlog data and IRCC Service Standards is vital for clarity.
Let’s break it down with an example: Typically, a spousal sponsorship application takes around a year to process. If an application is actively being worked on and hasn’t reached the 12-month mark, it’s not classified as a backlog. Instead, it’s considered part of the regular processing queue.
The IRCC only deems an application as backlogged if its processing time extends beyond the 12-month threshold. In other words, when it surpasses the expected time frame for completion.
The IRCC’s goal is to meet its service standards by processing 80% of applications within the specified time frames. This helps in ensuring that most applications are handled promptly and efficiently.
Canada Immigration Backlog Future Predictions
The latest predictions from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicate a positive trend in reducing backlogs throughout 2023.
According to the official backlog forecasts from the IRCC, here’s the expected progress for various application categories by the end of October 2023:
Backlogs for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry) and Federal High Skilled applications, including those processed through Express Entry, are anticipated to reduce by 20%. This suggests improvements in processing times and service standards for these categories.
Applications related to citizenship and spousal sponsorship are expected to see backlog reductions ranging from 19% to 24%. This is a positive sign for those eagerly awaiting their applications to be processed.
For work visas, the backlog is projected to decrease by 20%, while study visas should experience a 9% reduction. These forecasts indicate that both work and study visa applicants may see faster processing times.
The most significant reduction is expected in visas for temporary residence or travel, with a forecasted backlog decrease of 34%. This suggests that travelers seeking temporary visas can look forward to more efficient processing.
It’s worth noting that when the backlog percentage is 20% or lower, it signifies that the IRCC is meeting its service standards for processing applications in a timely manner. These forecasts offer hope to applicants across various categories, indicating that the IRCC is actively working to streamline the application process and reduce backlogs.
Recommendations
The report offers five vital recommendations aimed at enhancing processing times and resolving the backlog efficiently:
- Establish Clear Service Standards: The IRCC should develop realistic and consistent service standards applicable to all permanent residency (PR) programs, including those related to refugees. Additionally, the report suggests that the IRCC should provide online information about processing times for all PR applications, considering the existing application volume and their age.
- Address Differential Wait Times: Immediate measures are required to identify and rectify differences in waiting times across all PR programs. The report emphasizes the creation and implementation of a plan to directly gather race-based and ethnocultural information from applicants. This information can help mitigate any disparities in wait times, ensuring fairness.
- Evaluate and Prioritize Backlogs: The IRCC should thoroughly assess backlogged applications to pinpoint and resolve processing delays that are within its control. This includes instances where waiting is due to officer actions or necessary follow-ups. Furthermore, older backlogged applications should be prioritized for finalization.
- Balanced Workload Distribution: To ensure consistency in application processing times across its various offices, the IRCC should align the workload assignments with the available resources. This should be complemented by transparent information regarding office capacities. Urgent measures are recommended to address backlogs that have accumulated in offices with limited capacity.
- Examine Automated Decision-Making: The IRCC should evaluate the processing times related to the use of automated decision-making tools and work on minimizing any existing disparities. This might involve reallocating adequate resources to applications requiring manual processing.
2023 IRCC Backlog Update: Latest Developments and Progress
As of August 31, 2023, the IRCC was in the process of reviewing a total of 2,198,700 applications related to citizenship, immigration, and visas.
In the most recent IRCC update on the Canadian immigration backlog, it was reported that the backlog had increased by 5.25%. This means that by August 31, 2023, the backlog had grown to 844,700 applications, up from 802,600 applications as of July 31, 2023.
It’s worth noting that the backlog for applications regarding citizenship and permanent residency has been consistently decreasing by over 5% each month. However, there has been a 4.27% increase in the backlog for applications related to temporary residency.
Navigating the Canadian Immigration Landscape with Trusted Experts
When it comes to pursuing your dream of immigrating to Canada, the journey can be both exciting and challenging. Canada’s welcoming immigration policies have made it a sought-after destination for individuals and families from around the world. Whether you’re interested in reuniting with family, pursuing higher education, or exploring new career opportunities, Canada offers a multitude of pathways to make your dreams a reality.
However, the immigration process can be intricate and involves various programs and categories. This is where trusted immigration services and experts play a crucial role. They provide invaluable guidance and support to help you successfully navigate the Canadian immigration landscape.
The Role of Immigration Consultants and Agencies
Best Immigration Consultants for Canada and established Canada Immigration Agencies are well-versed in the complexities of the Canadian immigration system. They offer comprehensive services that cover various aspects of your journey:
1. Canada Family Sponsorship
For those looking to reunite with family members in Canada, the Family Sponsorship program is a lifeline. Experienced immigration consultants can help you understand the eligibility criteria, prepare your application, and guide you through the Canada Family Sponsorship.
2. Canada Immigration Consultant
An Immigration Consultant is your partner in the immigration process. They assist in choosing the right immigration program, ensuring your application is complete, and representing you throughout the process. In Edmonton, for instance, you can find Canada Immigration Consultant in Edmonton who are well-versed in the local and national immigration landscape.
3. Canada Work Permit
Canada’s Work Permit programs are designed to attract skilled workers from around the world. Navigating these programs requires an understanding of the labor market and industry-specific requirements. Trusted immigration experts can help you identify the most suitable work permit program and guide you through the application process.
4. How to Immigrate to Canada
Immigration to Canada involves a series of steps, including determining eligibility, preparing documentation, and submitting applications. Best Immigration Consultants and Agencies provide step-by-step guidance on how to immigrate to Canada, ensuring that you meet all requirements and deadlines.
Canada Immigration Services
A wide range of immigration services is offered by immigration experts, including application review, interview preparation, and representation in immigration matters. They aim to make your immigration journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Choosing the Best Immigration Consultants
Selecting the right immigration consultant or Canada Immigration Agency is a crucial decision. Look for professionals with a proven track record, positive client testimonials, and a deep understanding of Canadian immigration laws and regulations. The best immigration consultants not only guide you through the process but also serve as your advocates, ensuring your interests are protected.
Immigration Levels Plan
The surge in the number of applications also aligns with Canada’s ambitious Immigration Levels Plan.
This plan essentially acts as a roadmap, outlining the targets for the number of permanent residents Canada aims to admit over the next three years. For instance, in the current plan spanning from 2023 to 2025, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set a goal to admit 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, with this number increasing to 485,000 in 2024, and a further uptick to 500,000 in 2025.
With these higher targets in place, Canada is proactively seeking to welcome and process a greater number of applications. Consequently, this necessitates maintaining a higher volume of applications in their inventory than what was previously observed.
As we look ahead, a new Immigration Levels Plan is on the horizon, scheduled for release on or by November 1st this year. Current Immigration Minister Marc Miller has indicated that there are no indications of lower targets in the new plan, emphasizing Canada’s ongoing commitment to welcoming newcomers.
To Sum Up
Don’t let the Canada immigration backlog deter you from your dreams. With Multiway Immigration by your side, you can navigate the complex immigration process with confidence, knowing that you have a dedicated and experienced team supporting you every step of the way.
Your Canadian dream awaits, and Multiway Immigration is here to help you achieve it.
