Last Updated On 24 January 2023, 4:26 PM EST (Toronto Time)
Finally, the Canada immigration backlog drops below 1 million. As per new updated IRCC data, overall backlog has now reduced to 918,300.
Additionally, 1.055 million applications are still being processed within IRCC service standards. This number has increased from 1.02 million since November 30 data.
The backlog has been continuously reducing since September 30, 2022 as follows:
| Date | Backlog | Total Applications Under Processing |
|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | 918,300 | 1,973,800 |
| November 30, 2022 | 1,086,200 | 2,111,400 |
| October 31, 2022 | 1,202,790 | 2,239,700 |
| September 30, 2022 | 1,322,500 | 2,610,700 |
Overall, there were 1.97 million applications that were being processed at IRCC. This data has been updated by IRCC today and is true as of December 31, 2022.
IRCC minister confirmed that backlog data is different from service standard data.
For example, if spousal sponsorship specifies a processing period of 12 months, an application that is being processed within 12 months is “NOT” a backlog. Rather, it will be classified as standard processing.
However, if it surpasses the 12-month service requirement, it is referred to as a backlog.
It should be noted that IRCC’s goal is to complete 80% of applications within service standards. Click here to view the category-wise IRCC service standards.
| Application Type | Overall Processing Inventory | Backlog | Within Service Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 301,000 | 85,000 | 216,000 |
| Permanent Residence | 620,800 | 361,300 | 259,500 |
| Temporary Residence | 1,052,000 | 472,000 | 580,000 |
| Total | 1,973,800 | 918,300 | 1,055,500 |
Below are the category-wise Canada Immigration backlog projections by IRCC
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 | 45% | 59% |
| Nov 22 | 31% | 46% |
| Dec 22 | 22% | 20% |
| Jan 23 | – | 20% |
| Feb 23 | – | 20% |
| Mar 23 | – | 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 | 42% | 31% |
| Nov 22 | 42% | 28% |
| Dec 22 | 41% | 20% |
| Jan 23 | – | 40% |
| Feb 23 | – | 39% |
| Mar 23 | – | 38% |
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 | 24% | 22% |
| Nov 22 | 24% | 20% |
| Dec 22 | 24% | 19% |
| Jan 23 | – | 24% |
| Feb 23 | – | 24% |
| Mar 23 | – | 24% |
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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 | 28% | 29% |
| Nov 22 | 27% | 27% |
| Dec 22 | 28% | 26% |
| Jan 23 | – | 26% |
| Feb 23 | – | 25% |
| Mar 23 | – | 24% |
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 | 26% | 33% |
| Nov 22 | 27% | 31% |
| Dec 22 | 33% | 33% |
| Jan 23 | – | 36% |
| Feb 23 | – | 33% |
| Mar 23 | – | 23% |
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6. Work Permits Backlog
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| 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 | 23% | 49% |
| Nov 22 | 28% | 55% |
| Dec 22 | 26% | 60% |
| Jan 23 | – | 58% |
| Feb 23 | – | 47% |
| Mar 23 | – | 30% |
7. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Visitor Visa Backlog
**As per IRCC, approximately 20% 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 | 74% | 70% |
| Nov 22 | 70% | 67% |
| Dec 22 | 70% | 66% |
| Jan 23 | – | 77% |
| Feb 23 | – | 76% |
| Mar 23 | – | 73% |
Source: IRCC official website
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