Canada Visa Backlog Hits 1.1 Million, Longer Wait Times for Citizenship and Residency

Canada’s immigration system is grappling with a significant backlog, delaying processing times for citizenship, Permanent Residency (PR), and Temporary Residency (TR) applications.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that over 2.45 million applications are currently in processing, with 1.1 million surpassing their expected processing time as of September 30.

This visa and immigration backlog has impacted individuals and industries relying on immigration, with a particularly strong effect on Indian nationals.

Processing Backlog Across Categories

As of November 6, the IRCC portal noted an increase in backlogged applications by 1.73% in August alone. The delay is spread across various categories, each experiencing unique pressures due to high demand. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Citizenship Applications:
   • Pending: 38,100 applications
   • Change: Declined slightly by 1.29% since August
2. Permanent Residency Applications:
   • Pending: 305,200 applications
   • Change: Increased by 1.46%
3. Temporary Residency Applications:
   • Pending: 753,700 applications
   • Change: Rose by 2%, marking a 13.44% surge since July

The Surge in Temporary Residency Applications

Temporary residency has experienced the sharpest increase, with a 13.44% rise since July. This surge is primarily driven by the growing number of international students and temporary workers applying for permits. As a result, temporary residency has become the category facing the highest pressure in terms of application volume.

Processing within Standards

Despite the challenges, a significant portion of applications continues to be processed within IRCC’s service standards. By September 30:

• Citizenship: 184,800 applications processed, down by 3.04% from August
• Permanent Residency: 510,800 applications processed, up by 1.19%
• Temporary Residency: 658,000 applications processed, up by 1.68%

While these figures are encouraging, the backlog continues to grow, especially in categories like temporary residency.

Also Read: 5 Best Visa Pathways for Americans to Move to Canada in 2024

Impact of Extended Wait Times

The increasing backlog is causing significant disruption not only for individual applicants but also for industries and families. Here’s a closer look at the implications:

1. Impact on Labour Markets

Industries such as healthcare and technology are experiencing severe labour shortages due to delayed work permits. Skilled workers are unable to enter the Canadian workforce on time, hampering productivity in crucial sectors.

2. Family Reunification Delays

Extended wait times are causing stress for families seeking to reunite with loved ones. Many applicants are left in limbo, with uncertain timelines for reunification.

3. Financial and Emotional Strain

Applicants face financial uncertainty as they await processing decisions. The prolonged wait times create challenges for financial planning and integration into Canadian society, leaving many feeling stranded.

Projected Backlog Trends

Looking ahead, IRCC’s backlog projections show the following:

• Citizenship: Expected to decrease to 16% by the end of November
• Express Entry: Anticipated to rise to 20% by October
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Expected to remain steady at 20%
• Spousal Sponsorship: Stable at 15%
• Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs): Projected to decrease from 72% to 59% by November
• Study Permits: Expected to fall to 37% by November’s end
• Work Permits: Anticipated to reduce to 44% by November, down from the current 47%

These trends reflect ongoing challenges in meeting processing targets, with IRCC aiming to process 80% of applications within service standards.

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Annual Backlog Trends

Canada’s immigration backlog has seen significant fluctuations over the past year. Here’s a snapshot of the data:

• September 30, 2024: 1,097,000 applications in backlog out of 2,450,600 under processing, a 1.73% increase
• August 31, 2024: 1,078,300 applications in backlog from 2,420,800 under processing, showing a 7.57% rise
• July 31, 2024: 1,002,400 applications in backlog, with 2,364,700 under processing, a 7.02% increase

This pattern reflects a growing trend in application volumes, although IRCC is working towards stabilizing the system.

Canada’s Immigration Goals

The Canadian government aims to address the visa processing delays by early 2025, aiming to stabilize wait times across all categories. However, with immigration demand expected to remain high, IRCC will continue facing challenges in meeting these goals.

Conclusion

Canada’s immigration backlog remains a challenging issue, with impacts extending across education, workforce availability, and industry growth. As the IRCC works to reduce wait times, applicants are advised to prepare for extended delays, especially those from India.