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 Type	Overall Processing Inventory	Backlog	Within Service Standards
Citizenship	352,000	109,000	243,000
Permanent Residence	614,600	325,700	288,900
Temporary Residence	1,644,100	887,800	756,300
Total	2,610,700	1,322,500	1,288,200

Below are the category-wise IRCC backlog projections

1. Federal High Skilled Backlog

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	89%
Feb 22	92%
Mar 22	98%
Apr 22	99%
May 22	100%
Jun 22	100%
Jul 22	99%
Aug 22	90%	86%
Sep 22	68%	72%
Oct 22	–	59%
Nov 22	–	46%
Dec 22	–	20%

2. Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) Backlog

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	56%
Feb 22	55%
Mar 22	54%
Apr 22	51%
May 22	47%
Jun 22	45%
Jul 22	43%
Aug 22	42%	39%
Sep 22	40%	35%
Oct 22	–	31%
Nov 22	–	28%
Dec 22	–	20%

3. Spouses, Partners and children applications Backlog

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	34%
Feb 22	32%
Mar 22	30%
Apr 22	29%
May 22	27%
Jun 22	27%
Jul 22	26%
Aug 22	25%	24%
Sep 22	25%	23%
Oct 22	–	22%
Nov 22	–	20%
Dec 22	–	19%

4. Citizenship Backlog

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	46%
Feb 22	45%
Mar 22	42%
Apr 22	40%
May 22	39%
Jun 22	37%
Jul 22	34%
Aug 22	31%	31%
Sep 22	31%	30%
Oct 22	–	29%
Nov 22	–	27%
Dec 22	–	25%

5. Study Permits Backlog

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	42%
Feb 22	34%
Mar 22	27%
Apr 22	32%
May 22	31%
Jun 22	30%
Jul 22	31%
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.

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	48%
Feb 22	51%
Mar 22	29%
Apr 22	23%
May 22	26%
Jun 22	28%
Jul 22	28%
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.

Month	Backlog (Actual)	Backlog (Projected)
Jan 22	70%
Feb 22	74%
Mar 22	55%
Apr 22	55%
May 22	56%
Jun 22	71%
Jul 22	67%
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

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