On August 29, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published its latest data on the immigration application backlog. As of July 31, the total number of applications in process reached a record 2,364,700, reflecting a one-month lag in reporting.
The backlog of applications exceeding IRCC’s normal service standards has surged past 1 million, reaching 1,002,400—an unprecedented figure since November 2022. This backlog encompasses various application types, including citizenship, permanent residence, and temporary residence.
Table of Contents
- Category-Wise Backlog Overview
- Comparison with Previous Data
- Applications Within Service Standards Comparison
- Future Backlog Projections
- Implications for Applicants
- Official IRCC Backlog Updates Since January 2023
- What Does the IRCC Backlog Mean?
- How Many Immigration Applications Are Under Processing at IRCC?
Category-Wise Backlog Overview As of July 31, 2024, there were 2,364,700 applications across all categories. Of these, 1,002,400 were backlogged beyond the normal service standards, while 1,362,300 were being processed within the standards.
Detailed Breakdown:
| Application Type | Applications With Backlog | Applications Within Service Standards | Total Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 39,000 | 193,500 | 232,500 |
| Permanent Residence | 299,000 | 467,200 | 766,200 |
| Temporary Residence | 664,400 | 701,600 | 1,366,000 |
| Total | 1,002,400 | 1,362,300 | 2,364,700 |
Comparison with Previous Data A comparison of backlog data from June 30 and May 31, 2024, shows notable changes:
| Application Type | Backlog (July 31) | Backlog (June 30) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 39,000 | 40,500 | -3.70% |
| Permanent Residence | 299,000 | 301,800 | -0.93% |
| Temporary Residence | 664,400 | 594,300 | 11.80% |
| Total | 1,002,400 | 936,600 | 7.02% |
The data indicates a decrease in backlogs for citizenship and permanent residence applications, while temporary residence applications have increased significantly, contributing to an overall backlog rise of 7.02%.
Applications Within Service Standards Comparison
| Application Type | Within Service Standards (July 31) | Within Service Standards (June 30) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 193,500 | 198,900 | -2.71% |
| Permanent Residence | 467,200 | 451,900 | 3.38% |
| Temporary Residence | 701,600 | 705,000 | -0.48% |
| Total | 1,362,300 | 1,355,800 | 0.49% |
For applications processed within service standards, there was a slight decrease in citizenship applications and a small increase in permanent residence applications. The data suggests an increasing number of temporary residence applications are falling into backlog status.
Future Backlog Projections IRCC’s efforts to manage the backlog are ongoing, with projections indicating a possible reduction of 20-30% in the total backlog by mid-2025. The following are the IRCC’s projections for the end of August 2024 compared to actual backlogs and previous projections:
| Category | Projected Backlog (%) | Actual Backlog (%) | Projected End of July (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 16% | 17% | 17% |
| Express Entry | 15% | 17% | 15% |
| Express Entry PNP | 20% | 23% | 20% |
| Spouses, Partners, and Children | 15% | 14% | 15% |
| Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) | 43% | 64% | 60% |
| Study Permits | 18% | 24% | 12% |
| Work Permits | 22% | 43% | 28% |
IRCC is focusing on improving processing efficiency, particularly in the categories with the most significant fluctuations. Strategies include enhancing technology use, optimizing resources, and adjusting policies to manage the rising demand for immigration services.
Implications for Applicants IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within their service standards. Current backlog levels suggest that while IRCC has met its goals for citizenship, express entry, and family sponsorship applications, it continues to struggle with temporary residence applications due to increased inflows.
Conclusion The July 2024 backlog data highlights both challenges and progress in the Canadian immigration system. Despite some improvements, the rise in temporary residence applications necessitates ongoing efforts by IRCC. Applicants are advised to stay updated on their application status and IRCC developments.
Official IRCC Backlog Updates Since January 2023
For detailed backlog updates, click on the dates below:
- July 31, 2024: 1,002,400 backlog, 2,364,700 total applications
- June 30, 2024: 936,600 backlog, 2,292,400 total applications
- May 31, 2024: 878,400 backlog, 2,220,000 total applications
- [Other dates omitted for brevity]
What Does the IRCC Backlog Mean? The IRCC backlog refers to applications that exceed the standard processing times set by the IRCC for various categories.
How Many Immigration Applications Are Under Processing at IRCC? As of July 31, 2024, there were 2,364,700 immigration applications under processing according to the most recent IRCC data released on August 29.