Canada Clears 4.7% Immigration Backlog, 1m More Applications Pending
Canada’s has cleared 4.7 per cent of immigration backlog of pending applications, raising hopes.
As of November 30th, 2024, the total number of applications under processing stands at 2,267,700, with 1,006,500 of those classified as backlog.
This is according to report from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Immigration News Canada (INC), in a latest data reveals that while the backlog has decreased slightly from previous months, challenges persist in balancing high demand with processing capacity.
The backlog consists various application types, with increases and decreases across different categories. As of November 30th, 2024, there were 39,100 citizenship applications in backlog, marking a 2.09% rise from October.
Permanent residency applications also increased by 2.22%, totaling 318,000 applications in backlog. Conversely, temporary residency applications experienced a significant 8.82% decrease, with 649,400 applications in backlog. This decline in temporary residency applications is attributed to recent policy adjustments and improved processing capacity, allowing IRCC to concentrate on high-demand applications such as work permits and study permits. Despite these positive shifts, the backlog in citizenship and permanent residency applications still presents challenges for applicants.
There are implications for both applicants and industries across Canada over the outstanding applications. Delays in work permit processing have created challenges for sectors such as healthcare, technology, and construction, which heavily rely on foreign talent. Additionally, applicants for permanent residency or citizenship face financial burdens and delays in their integration into Canadian society.
However, the reduction in temporary residency backlog signals that IRCC is making strides in addressing high-demand categories, which could alleviate some of these pressures over time.
IRCC says it aims to process 80% of applications within its service standards while tackling seasonal surges and fluctuating demand. Categories such as Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) and study permits are expected to remain challenging, with projected backlogs of 75% and 36%, respectively. The highest level of reduction in backlog is anticipated in temporary residency categories, particularly work permits.
