IRCC Efficiency in Action | Mega Processing of Nearly 2.2 Million Applications

As of December 31, 2023, the citizenship and permanent residency backlogs decreased by almost 6% monthly, and temporary residency and overall permanent residency applications increased by nearly 7.4%.

As per the latest update from IRCC dated January 24, 2024, it was revealed that the country is experiencing a surge in immigration and visa applications. The total application inventory has reached a record 2,221,100 as of December 31, 2023.

Canada is witnessing a significant influx of new temporary residency applications including visitor visas, work permits, and study permits. This immigration backlog, referring to applications exceeding the standard processing time, yet remains a challenge for the immigration department.

IRCC Visa Processing Backlog: December 2023 vs. November 2023

The backlog for temporary residency applications has seen a 7.42% increase, reaching a total processing inventory of 1,257,000 since the last update.

In contrast, the backlog for citizenship applications has decreased by 6%, while permanent residency applications have experienced a 7.42% increase. Overall, the inventory for these applications has risen by 6.65%.

Complete Canada Visa Backlog List 2023 Updated

Before we move on to the implications or projections for 2024 it is crucial to learn how Canada has been tackling its month-on-month backlog criteria for the year 2023. The table below helps you have a clear picture along with the percentage of change.

Also Read: Canadian Immigration Backlog Shrinks by 46,200 Applications!

Canada Visa Backlog: Projections for 2024

As per the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forecasts for 2024, there is an anticipation of decreasing backlogs month by month. The projections for various application categories by February 28, 2024, are as follows:

• The Federal High Skilled and Provincial Nominee Program (via Express Entry) is projected to backlog reduction of 15–17%.
• The Citizenship and spousal sponsorship applications are expected to witness a decrease in backlog by 15–17%.
• Study visas and work permit backlogs are projected to decrease by 32% and 36% respectively.
• The Temporary resident or visiting visas are forecasted to backlog reduction of 68%.

Amidst these projections, it is noteworthy that a backlog projection equal to or less than 20% indicates that IRCC is set to meet the service standard for that specific immigration category.

Also Read: Canada Unveils Major Reforms in Visa Regulations for International Students

Factor Contributing to the Delay in Visa Processing and Backlog

The delayed processing by IRCC is attributed to the meticulous case-by-case review process and the outdated technology, unchanged for the past 10–15 years.

Also, the increasing record number of global applications is compounding the backlog, further exacerbated by files accumulated during the pandemic.

Backlogs are Temporary But Your Dreams to Canada PR is Permanent

While the fluctuating backlog rates seem to be huge in terms of numbers, the impressive fact is the efforts of the Canadian nation are investing to curb it as soon as possible.

So why hunchbacks? Time is not delayed (at least from your end) to start your process for a Canada PR visa, to ensure no extra delays are included, once the backlogs are cleared after February 2023, and to ensure that GetGIS is your go-to assistance partner.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the typical processing time for an application with IRCC?

Usually, IRCC takes two to three weeks for processing, but the duration may vary based on the application type. For work visas, the process is known for its thoroughness.

Q2. Why is there a delay in processing my Canadian student visa?

A surge in new applications from around the world, combined with files accumulated during the pandemic, is contributing to the backlog.

Q3. What is the maximum backlog accepted in Canadian universities?

Generally, Canadian institutions typically accept up to 5 backlogs. Some universities may consider up to ten or more.

Q4. How long is the expected wait time for citizenship and permanent residency applications?

The backlog for citizenship and permanent residency applications is decreasing by almost 6% monthly, but the actual wait time can vary.

Q5. Is it challenging to move to Canada?

Generally, moving to Canada is not too difficult due to the country's openness to welcoming immigrants and diverse immigration programs, making it easier to qualify for various streams.