Last Updated On 23 July 2024, 10:16 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

A new IRCC update on Canada’s immigration backlog shows that there were 2,292,400 applications under processing, up from 2,220,000 reported in the previous month’s backlog data.

Out of these, 936,600 applications were in backlog as of June 30, 2024, exceeding the normal IRCC service standards.

This is a rise of 6.62% when compared to the data as of May 31, 2024.

The system is grappling with a significant backlog of temporary residency applications, which increased by 11.13% month-on-month.

This article delves into the latest data on immigration backlogs, analyzing trends, implications, and future projections.

The current state of Canada’s Immigration Backlog

According to the latest figures, Canada’s immigration backlog, as of June 30, 2024, stands at an overwhelming 936,600 applications.

This backlog is segmented into three main categories: citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency.

Here’s a breakdown of these categories:

Application type	Applications in backlog as of June 30	Applications in backlog as of May 31	Month-on-Month Backlog Change
Citizenship	40,500	43,000	-5.81%
Permanent Residency	301,800	300,600	0.40%
Temporary Residency	594,300	534,800	11.13%
Total	936,600	878,400	6.63%

Latest backlog data

Data clearly indicates that the backlog increased significantly for temporary residency applications even after the immigration minister introduced a cap on the number of international students at the beginning of 2024.

There seems to be an increase in new temporary applications, inflating the overall inventory and backlog.

Permanent residency applications form a substantial part of the backlog, with a slight month-on-month increase observed.

The good news is for applicants who applied for citizenship, since the backlog reduced by nearly 6% and most of the applications are now being processed within service standards.

Applications Within Service Standards

Despite the staggering backlog, it’s important to note that a substantial number of applications are being processed within service standards.

As of June 30, 2024, the figures for applications within service standards are as follows:

Application type	Applications Within Service Standards as of June 30	Applications Within Service Standards as of May 31	Month-on-Month Change
Citizenship	198,900	208,200	-4.47%
Permanent Residency	451,900	444,700	1.62%
Temporary Residency	705,000	688,700	2.37%
Total	1,355,800	1,341,600	1.06%

Applications within service standards

This demonstrates that while there is a significant backlog, the Canadian immigration system is still managing to process a large volume of applications.

These changes indicate a complex and fluctuating landscape, with different types of applications experiencing varying levels of processing efficiency and demand.

Future Projections

IRCC also shares future projections of backlog in context with the set service standards of processing 80% of the applications within that timeframe.

Below are the official IRCC backlog projections:

Category	Backlog projected by end of July 2024	Actual Backlog at the end of June 2024	What IRCC Projected by End of June 2024
Citizenship	10%	16%	17%
Express Entry	15%	16%	15%
Express Entry PNP	20%	25%	20%
Spouses, partners, and children (except for Quebec)	15%	14%	15%
Temporary Resident Visas (TRV)	60%	62%	58%
Study Permits	12%	17%	7%
Work Permits	28%	46%	46%

IRCC backlog projections

Seasonal Variations and Processing Capacity

One factor contributing to the increase in temporary residency applications could be seasonal variations.

For instance, the summer months often see a surge in tourist and student visa applications, plus applications resumed after a pause to implement a cap on the number of international students annually.

To manage this, immigration authorities could consider increasing processing capacity during peak seasons or implementing more automated processing systems to handle the surge efficiently.

Canada’s immigration backlog is a complex issue that requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach to address effectively.

While the backlog represents a significant challenge, it also highlights the attractiveness of Canada as a destination for individuals seeking new opportunities.

Canada is currently struggling to deal with the increasing number of temporary residents in the country.

The federal government will announce annual targets for the number of temporary residents in November 2024, with a plan to reduce the non-PR population to 5% by 2027.

By implementing policy reforms, leveraging technological innovations, and allocating resources strategically, Canada can manage and eventually reduce the backlog, ensuring that its immigration system continues to be a model for other countries.

Previous Monthly IRCC Backlog Updates

Below are the official IRCC monthly backlog data since May 2023 and link to detailed information on these backlog updates.

Backlog Update Date	Applications In Backlog	Total Applications Under Processing	Backlog Net %Age Change month-on-month
June 30, 2024	936,600	1,355,800	+6.63%
May 31, 2024	878,400	1,341,600	-2.08%
April 30, 2024	897,100	1,323,100	+0.57%
March 31, 2024	892,000	1,320,000	-0.80%
February 29, 2024	899,150	1,227,050	-3.32%
January 31, 2024	930,000	2,188,400	-2.05%
December 31, 2023	949,500	2,221,100	+6.65%
November 30, 2023	890,300	2,092,700	-4.93%
October 31, 2023	936,500	2,166,800	0.86%
September 30, 2023	928,500	2,194,900	9.9%
August 31, 2023	844,700	2,198,700	5.2%
July 31, 2023	802,600	2,274,600	0.2%
June 30, 2023	801,000	2,264,000	-2.3%
May 31, 2023	820,000	2,248,000	1.4%

Monthly IRCC Backlog updates for last 12 months

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website