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Canada Immigration Backlog

Canada Immigration Backlog At 1.49 Million – New IRCC Data

Last Updated On 16 November 2022, 11:23 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada immigration backlog stands at 1.49 million as of September 30, 2022 as reported by IRCC on October 14, 2022, but there seems to be discrepancy in this data (explained with correct data in later part of this article).

Additionally, 1.11 million applications are under processing within service standards. So, in total, there are 2.6 million applications under processing at IRCC.

IRCC minister clarified on August 24, 2022 that backlog data is different from the service standard data. For e.g., spousal sponsorship has processing time of 12 months, then an application under processing within 12 months is “NOT” a backlog. Rather it will fall under normal processing data. However, if it exceeds the 12 months mark, then it is called backlog.

It is important to note that IRCC’s target is to processing 80% of the applications within service standards. Click here for latest category-wise IRCC processing times.

We (INC – Immigration News Canada) have noticed discrepancy in IRCC data as mentioned on their website. Total number of backlog and service standards applications seems to be incorrect.

As per the IRCC’s data, it seems like backlog number is around 1.32 million not 1.49 million if we total the actual numbers. Furthermore, applications processing within service standards is around 1.28 million if we total the actual numbers. However, they all add up correctly to 2.6 million.

Application TypeOverall Processing InventoryBacklogWithin Service Standards
Citizenship352,000109,000243,000
Permanent Residence614,600325,700288,900
Temporary Residence1,644,100 887,800756,300
Total2,610,7001,322,5001,288,200
canada immigration backlog
Applications Under Processing Within Service Standards
Canada IRCC Backlog data
Applications Under Processing Outside Service Standards

Below are the category-wise IRCC backlog projections

1. Federal High Skilled Backlog

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2289%
Feb 2292%
Mar 2298%
Apr 2299%
May 22100%
Jun 22100%
Jul 2299%
Aug 22 90%86%
Sep 22 68%72%
Oct 22 59%
Nov 22 46%
Dec 2220%

2. Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) Backlog

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2256%
Feb 2255%
Mar 2254%
Apr 2251%
May 2247%
Jun 2245%
Jul 2243%
Aug 22 42%39%
Sep 22 40%35%
Oct 22 31%
Nov 22 28%
Dec 22 20%

3. Spouses, Partners and children applications Backlog

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2234%
Feb 2232%
Mar 2230%
Apr 2229%
May 2227%
Jun 2227%
Jul 2226%
Aug 22 25%24%
Sep 22 25%23%
Oct 22 22%
Nov 22 20%
Dec 22 19%

4. Citizenship Backlog

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2246%
Feb 2245%
Mar 2242%
Apr 2240%
May 2239%
Jun 2237%
Jul 2234%
Aug 22 31%31%
Sep 22 31%30%
Oct 22 29%
Nov 22 27%
Dec 22 25%

5. Study Permits Backlog

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2242%
Feb 2234%
Mar 2227%
Apr 2232%
May 2231%
Jun 2230%
Jul 2231%
Aug 22 38%39%
Sep 22 31%42%
Oct 22 33%
Nov 22 31%
Dec 22 33%
Jan 23 36%
Feb 23 33%
Mar 23 23%

6. Work Permits Backlog

**As per IRCC, approximately 73% of work permits applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2248%
Feb 2251%
Mar 2229%
Apr 2223%
May 2226%
Jun 2228%
Jul 2228%
Aug 22 34%29%
Sep 22 27%35%
Oct 22 49%
Nov 22 55%
Dec 22 60%
Jan 23 58%
Feb 23 47%
Mar 23 30%

7. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Visitor Visa Backlog

**As per IRCC, approximately 17% of temporary resident visa or visitor visa applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

MonthBacklog (Actual)Backlog (Projected)
Jan 2270%
Feb 2274%
Mar 2255%
Apr 2255%
May 2256%
Jun 2271%
Jul 2267%
Aug 22 71%68%
Sep 22 74%71%
Oct 22 70%
Nov 22 67%
Dec 22 66%
Jan 23 66%
Feb 23 62%
Mar 23 58%

Source: IRCC official website