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.

Date	Backlog	Total Applications Under Processing
March 31, 2023	896,300	2,017,700
February 28, 2023	910,400	1,962,600
January 31, 2023	974,600	1,944,500
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

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 Type	Overall Processing Inventory	Backlog	Within Service Standards
Citizenship	297,000	76,000	221,000
Permanent Residence	634,700	325,300	309,400
Temporary Residence	1,086,000	495,000	591,000
Total	1,962,600	910,400	1052,200

IRCC Strike New Updates: Expect Processing Delays | April 29

Federal High Skilled

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	90%	86%
Sep 22	68%	72%
Oct 22	45%	59%
Nov 22	31%	46%
Dec 22	22%	20%
Jan 23	20%	20%
Feb 23	20%	20%
Mar 23	18%	20%
Apr 23	–	20%
May 23	–	20%
Jun 23	–	20%

Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	42%	39%
Sep 22	40%	35%
Oct 22	42%	31%
Nov 22	42%	28%
Dec 22	41%	20%
Jan 23	38%	40%
Feb 23	32%	39%
Mar 23	30%	32%
Apr 23	–	30%
May 23	–	28%
Jun 23	–	24%

Spouses, Partners and children applications

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	25%	24%
Sep 22	25%	23%
Oct 22	24%	22%
Nov 22	24%	20%
Dec 22	24%	19%
Jan 23	24%	24%
Feb 23	23%	24%
Mar 23	24%	24%
Apr 23	–	24%
May 23	–	24%
Jun 23	–	24%

Citizenship Backlog Projections

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	30%	30%
Sep 22	30%	30%
Oct 22	28%	28%
Nov 22	29%	27%
Dec 22	28%	26%
Jan 23	27%	26%
Feb 23	26%	25%
Mar 23	25%	24%
Apr 23	–	24%
May 23	–	24%
Jun 23	–	24%

Here Are IRCC Service Standards For Processing Various Applications

Study Permit Applications

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	38%	39%
Sep 22	31%	42%
Oct 22	26%	33%
Nov 22	28%	31%
Dec 22	32%	33%
Jan 23	35%	36%
Feb 23	29%	34%
Mar 23	23 %	25%
Apr 23	–	22%
May 23	–	15%
Jun 23	–	15%

Work Permit Applications

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

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	34%	29%
Sep 22	27%	35%
Oct 22	23%	49%
Nov 22	24%	55%
Dec 22	25%	60%
Jan 23	26%	26%
Feb 23	23%	28%
Mar 23	18 %	28%
Apr 23	–	26%
May 23	–	24%
Jun 23	–	22%

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).

Month	Actual Backlog	Backlog Projections
Aug 22	71%	68%
Sep 22	74%	71%
Oct 22	74%	70%
Nov 22	70%	67%
Dec 22	70%	77%
Jan 23	68%	68%
Feb 23	64%	68%
Mar 23	61%	65%
Apr 23	–	56%
May 23	–	42%
Jun 23	–	42%

---