Key Takeaways:
- Canada’s immigration backlog has grown to 2.5 million applications, with over 1 million exceeding standard processing times.
- The largest increase is seen in temporary residency applications, driven by seasonal trends and an influx of students.
- IRCC is considering measures, including increased automation, to address the backlog.
Canada’s immigration backlog has reached an unprecedented level, with nearly 2.5 million applications under processing as of the end of September 2024. Among these, approximately 1.1 million applications exceed the typical processing timeframe and have entered the “backlog” category. This represents a 1.73% increase since August 2024, indicating that demand for immigration services continues to surge while IRCC’s processing capabilities remain stretched.
Temporary residency applications have seen the most significant month-on-month growth, rising by 13.44% from the end of July to the end of September. This category’s increase is likely due to seasonal trends, including a wave of student visa applications. Despite recent restrictions on new entries, IRCC has not yet managed to stabilize the backlog. Meanwhile, citizenship applications are being processed more efficiently, with a slight decrease in backlog numbers.
Processing delays have far-reaching impacts. Employers face skilled labor shortages, and families endure prolonged separation. For many applicants, this results in both financial strain and stress due to prolonged uncertainty.
In response, IRCC is working to increase the percentage of applications processed within standard timeframes. Planned measures include boosting staffing during peak periods, leveraging technology like AI to streamline processing, and potentially adjusting visa policies. Regular updates from IRCC allow applicants to better navigate the waiting periods with a clearer understanding of processing timelines.
