Canada Immigration Backlog Update: Rising Applications and Ongoing Challenges
November 6, 2024 Amritpal Kaur
As we approach the final quarter of 2024, Canada’s immigration system continues to grapple with an increasing backlog of applications. Despite ongoing efforts to streamline processing times, the number of applications in limbo is still climbing. In fact, the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that there are now nearly 2.5 million applications in process, with a substantial portion of them exceeding normal processing times.
New Data Release (November 4, 2024)
According to the latest official figures released by IRCC, as of the end of September 2024, 1.1 million applications are now officially categorized as "backlog" applications — those that have exceeded the expected service standards. This represents a 1.73% increase in backlog volume compared to the previous month, signaling that despite efforts to improve processing speeds, the system is struggling to keep up with demand.
A Deeper Look into the Immigration Backlog
The backlog can be broken down into three main categories: citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency. Here’s a closer look at how these categories are performing:
Citizenship Applications: There were 38,100 citizenship applications in backlog by the end of September 2024. This represents a slight decrease of 1.29% from August 2024 when there were 38,600 applications in backlog. Processing for citizenship applications has shown some improvement compared to other categories, with a reduction in the backlog month-over-month.
Permanent Residency Applications: For permanent residency, the backlog has increased by 1.46%, reaching 305,200 applications by the end of September. In August 2024, the number stood at 300,800. This suggests that there are ongoing delays in processing permanent residency applications, which remain a significant challenge for IRCC.
Temporary Residency Applications: The backlog of temporary residency applications, which includes study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, has risen notably by 2% from August 2024, reaching 753,700 by the end of September. This is a substantial increase compared to July 2024 when the backlog stood at 738,900 applications. Temporary residency continues to be the most heavily impacted category, likely due to seasonal spikes in demand.
Processing Within Service Standards
While the backlog has grown, it’s important to note that a substantial portion of applications is still being processed within IRCC's service standards. In fact, as of September 2024, over 1.35 million applications were processed within the expected timelines.
Citizenship: For citizenship applications, 184,800 applications were processed on time by the end of September 2024, down from 190,600 the previous month, marking a 3.04% decrease. Despite this drop, the processing for citizenship continues to perform relatively well compared to other categories.
Permanent Residency: In the permanent residency category, 510,800 applications were processed on time, which is a 1.19% increase from August when the figure was 504,800. This indicates that permanent residency applications are being processed at a slightly faster rate than before.
Temporary Residency: For temporary residency, 658,000 applications were processed within service standards, representing a 1.68% increase from the previous month when 647,100 temporary residency applications were processed on time. While there is an improvement, this category still faces significant challenges due to the volume of applications.
The Impact of Backlog on Applicants and the Canadian Economy
The growing backlog is affecting not only applicants but also the Canadian labor market and society at large. Here are some of the key consequences:
Labor Market Disruptions: Delays in processing work permits are causing strain on industries that rely on foreign talent, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and education. The delay in issuing permits can slow down economic recovery in key industries.
Family Reunification Delays: The backlog is also affecting families hoping to reunite in Canada. Delays in family sponsorships can cause emotional and financial strain for those separated by immigration procedures.
Financial and Emotional Strain on Applicants: Those waiting for permanent residency or citizenship often experience uncertainty, which can lead to financial instability as they wait for resolution. This uncertainty can hinder their integration into Canadian society, as they are uncertain about their work or living status.
What Lies Ahead: Projections and Challenges
Looking forward, IRCC's projections for the backlog remain concerning. The department aims to process 80% of applications within the service standards, but given the fluctuating demand, this goal is difficult to achieve. Here are the projected figures for the next two months:
Citizenship: The backlog for citizenship applications is projected to decrease slightly by the end of November, from 17% in September to 16% by November.
Express Entry: The backlog for Express Entry applications is expected to rise to 20% by the end of November from 17% in September.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): The backlog in the PNP category is expected to remain relatively stable at around 20%, down from 23% in September.
Spousal Sponsorship: The backlog for spousal sponsorship applications is projected to stay the same at 15%.
Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs): The backlog for temporary resident visas is the most concerning, with projections showing it will remain at around 59% by the end of November, down slightly from 72% in September.
Study Permits: The backlog for study permits is expected to decrease slightly, from 36% in September to 37% by the end of November.
Work Permits: The backlog for work permits, which had a significant surge in September, is projected to improve slightly to 44% by the end of November.
These projections highlight the ongoing challenges IRCC faces in managing the high demand for certain types of applications, particularly for temporary resident visas, study permits, and work permits.
Strategies for Managing the Backlog
To address these mounting challenges, several steps can be taken:
Increase Processing Capacity: During high-demand seasons, IRCC could increase staffing levels to reduce processing delays, especially for temporary resident visa applications.
Leverage Technology: Utilizing automation and AI in the application review process could streamline approvals, especially for straightforward applications like renewals or low-risk applicants.
Policy Adjustments: The government could implement more stringent criteria for some categories, such as work permits or student visas, to help manage the volume of applications more effectively.
Enhanced Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaborating with educational institutions and employers to better align application intake with processing capacity could alleviate some of the pressure on the system.
Final Thoughts: Navigating Canada’s Immigration System in 2024
The rise in Canada's immigration backlog is a clear signal that the system needs to evolve. While there are signs of improvement in some categories, others — especially temporary residency — continue to experience significant delays. As more applicants wait for resolution, Canada’s immigration system must adopt innovative strategies to manage demand and improve processing efficiency.
For prospective immigrants, staying informed about the latest updates and understanding the nuances of the backlog is critical. While the wait can be frustrating, it's also an opportunity to prepare and adapt for the changes that lie ahead.