IRCC reports a decrease of almost 500,000 applications since August. Nearly twice as many applications were processed as in the same period in 2022. 4.8 million applications were processed to reduce the immigration backlogs. Canada is marked as a record-breaking year in 2022.
At the end of 2022, IRCC anticipates welcoming 431,000 new permanent residents, setting a record.
Most of the applications processed are for temporary residence. There were approximately 700,000 work permits issued by IRCC in 2022, as well as 670,000 student permits issued. From April to November, there were approximately 251,000 new Canadian citizens.
Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, noted that “our government has cut its pandemic backlog by nearly half a million and processed a record number of immigration applications this year. Through our actions, we ensure that newcomers can continue to be welcomed and supported in Canada whether they come to work, study, visit, or settle here. Canada’s reputation is upheld by its commitment to openness and inclusion as well as our willingness to adapt and modernize our immigration system.
Continued reduction of the backlog
As of December 2, this year, there were 2.2 million applications in the IRCC’s inventory. The IRCC reported on November 30 that 1.09 million applications, or just over 50% of all applications, we’re currently in a backlog or were not being handled as required. Data from November 3 shows that there were 2.4 million applications in inventory. It is a significant decrease from 2.6 million in September.
IRCC guidelines state that an application for spousal sponsorship should take no longer than 12 months and that an application for Express Entry must be processed within 6 months. A 99% reduction has also been achieved by IRCC in the pandemic backlog of requests for the renewal of permanent residence cards.
A modernization and streamlining effort by the IRCC
Since the beginning of the year, the COVID-19 pandemic-related travel bans and office closures have resulted in a significant backlog of applications that IRCC has been attempting to manage.
The IRCC has responded by making adjustments to address operational inefficiencies such as the digitization of applications. It is estimated that only 28% of 318,000 citizen applications on file are considered backlogged since all citizenship applications submitted by adults are now digital.
Additionally, the department announced in August that it would hire 1,250 more employees by the end of this year. This action was done to accelerate the processing of applications.
Service standards
Applicants who are backlogged have not been handled in accordance with service standards. The timeframe for application processing is specified in these requirements. Application processing times at the IRCC differ from service standards.
All business lines at the IRCC strive to handle 80% of applications in order to meet service standards. Service standards differ depending on the type of application. A permanent residency – (PR) application through Express Entry – (EE) usually takes six months to process. Other economic classes require a longer time frame. According to the IRCC, sponsorships for partners and children are only valid for a period of twelve months of service.
It may take 60 to 120 days for temporary residency applications to be processed. Depending on whether the application is for a job or for study and whether it is submitted from within Canada or overseas. It appears that IRCC is currently handling the majority of new study permits in the allotted amount of time.
Immigration to Canada is set to reach a record high
Over 500,000 new permanent residents are expected to be welcomed and accepted to Canada by 2025. It shows by Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025.
A critical labor force deficit is currently facing the nation, which is why the goal is so high. It’s estimated that up to nine million Canadians could retire by 2030, leaving a shortage of native-born workers.
As part of its efforts to expand the number of migrants moving to Canada. The IRCC has put up a number of initiatives over the past year. International students’ work hours have been lowered, and work licenses have been expanded to include their spouses and dependent children.
RNIP – (Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot), as well as the AIP – (Atlantic Immigration Program), were both approved earlier this year. Through the Economic Mobility Pilot Program, additional funds will also be provided to 2,000 skilled refugees.
Further, sector-specific initiatives have been implemented, especially in the healthcare industry. Where restrictions were lifted for doctors already in Canada on temporary work visas and the Foreign Credential Recognition Program was launched. This program assisted skilled immigrants in integrating into the health sector’s workforce.
