Skip to content
IRCC Minister, Sean Fraser

Canada Immigration Backlog Drops To 896,300 | New IRCC Data

Last Updated On 19 April 2023, 9:12 AM EDT (Toronto Time)


The big pile of Canada immigration backlog has now dropped below 900,000 for the first time as per new IRCC data updated on April 18, 2023.

The IRCC backlog stood at 896,300 as of March 31, 2023 as compared to 910,400 on February 28, 2023.

This slight reduction in backlog has been registered across all the IRCC business lines.

However, overall processing inventory has increased beyond 2 million mark for the first time since November 30, 2022.

With ongoing strike, the backlog may swell back near to million because of IRCC labour disruptions.

DateBacklogTotal Applications
Under Processing
March 31, 2023896,3002,017,700
February 28, 2023910,4001,962,600
January 31, 2023974,6001,944,500
December 31, 2022918,3001,973,800
November 30, 20221,086,2002,111,400
October 31, 20221,202,7902,239,700
September 30, 20221,322,5002,610,700

Reiterating the difference between backlog and service standards.

It is critical to understand that IRCC backlog data and service standard data are not the same thing, as stated below.

For example, if the average processing time for spousal sponsorship is 12 months, an application that is handled inside that time frame is “NOT” considered a backlog. It will instead be viewed as regular processing.

However, if it exceeds the 12-month service requirement, it should only be considered a backlog.

The IRCC intends to handle 80% of applications in accordance with these service criteria. Find out more about the IRCC service standards.

Application TypeOverall Processing InventoryBacklogWithin Service Standards
Citizenship297,00076,000221,000
Permanent Residence634,700325,300 309,400
Temporary Residence1,086,000495,000 591,000
Total1,962,600910,4001052,200

Federal High Skilled

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2290%86%
Sep 2268%72%
Oct 2245%59%
Nov 2231%46%
Dec 2222%20%
Jan 2320%20%
Feb 2320%20%
Mar 2318%20%
Apr 2320%
May 2320%
Jun 2320%

Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2242%39%
Sep 2240%35%
Oct 2242%31%
Nov 2242%28%
Dec 2241%20%
Jan 2338%40%
Feb 2332%39%
Mar 2330%32%
Apr 2330%
May 2328%
Jun 2324%

Spouses, Partners and children applications

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2225%24%
Sep 2225%23%
Oct 2224%22%
Nov 2224%20%
Dec 2224%19%
Jan 2324%24%
Feb 2323%24%
Mar 2324%24%
Apr 2324%
May 2324%
Jun 2324%

Citizenship Backlog Projections

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2230%30%
Sep 2230%30%
Oct 2228%28%
Nov 2229%27%
Dec 2228%26%
Jan 2327%26%
Feb 2326%25%
Mar 2325%24%
Apr 2324%
May 2324%
Jun 2324%

Study Permit Applications

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2238%39%
Sep 2231%42%
Oct 2226%33%
Nov 2228%31%
Dec 2232%33%
Jan 2335%36%
Feb 2329%34%
Mar 2323 %25%
Apr 2322%
May 2315%
Jun 2315%

Work Permit Applications

Around 74% of the work permits applications are from the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel).

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2234%29%
Sep 2227%35%
Oct 2223%49%
Nov 2224%55%
Dec 2225%60%
Jan 2326%26%
Feb 2323%28%
Mar 2318 %28%
Apr 2326%
May 2324%
Jun 2322%

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Visitor Visa

Around 21% of visitor visa or temporary resident visa applications are from the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel).

MonthActual BacklogBacklog Projections
Aug 2271%68%
Sep 2274%71%
Oct 2274%70%
Nov 2270%67%
Dec 2270%77%
Jan 2368%68%
Feb 2364%68%
Mar 2361%65%
Apr 2356%
May 2342%
Jun 2342%

Loading…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

IRCC Minister, Sean Fraser - New Canada Immigration Backlog Data