With 2.7 million people in its inventory, Canada is still having trouble processing immigration applications.
This shows an increase of approximately 300,000 people over the previous six weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic, the backlog has almost tripled, and over the last year, it has over doubled.
Since last July, it has developed in the following ways:
- 6 July 2021: 1,447,474 people
- 27 October 2021: 1,792,404 people
- 1 February 2022: 1,815,628 people
- 15 to 17 March 2022: 1,844,424 people
- 11 to 12 April 2022: 2,130,385 people
- 30 April to 2 May 2022: 2,130,385 people
- 1 to 6 June 2022: 2,387,884 people
- 15 to 17 July 2022: 2,679,031 people
As of 15 July, there were 444,792 citizenship applicants, up from 394,664 on June 1.
As of 17 July, there were 514,116 permanent residents in the database, down from 522,047 on 6 June.
As of 6 June, there were 1,471,173 people living in temporary housing; as of 17 July, there were 1,720,123.
Due to a decrease in backlog, Express Entry draws have started again
As of 17 July, there were only 51,616 Express Entry candidates awaiting final decisions on their immigration applications, a considerable decrease from the 88,903 indicated on March 15 when comparable data was available.
The processing timelines for new Express Entry applicants have returned to the normal six-month range thanks to the decline in Express Entry backlogs, which allows IRCC to hold all program draws once again. The first all-program draw since December 2020 was conducted by IRCC on 6 July.
The inventory of families has increased slightly
From 112,837 applicants on 6 June, the total number of family class candidates has increased to 118,251.
The inventories for the spouse, partner and children’s programs have grown since June first began. The number was 68,159 as opposed to 67,929 a month prior. The July figure was created by including a husband and a partner in the Children and other family categories for comparison.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) once more received a boost. From 41,802 persons to 47,025 now. Details of IRCC’s PGP 2022 plans have not yet been made public.
To a certain extent, summer backlog expansion is normal
The number of temporary residents increased by nearly 250,000 people compared to June 6.
For employment permits, work permit extensions, visitor records, temporary residence visas, and study permits, there have been increases in the number of applications.
It is typical for the IRCC backlog to develop a little bit throughout the summer. In Canada’s hottest season, an increasing number of Canadians are requesting short-term visas to go to see family and friends.
Additionally, the most typical kind of work visa in Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), is applied for by a large number of overseas students whose studies are completed in the spring.
In the months before the start of the academic year in Canada, the majority of international students also apply for study permits. As a result, Canada typically accepts more than 200,000 new overseas students prior to the start of each academic year in September.
The CUAET Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel was launched by Canada in March in order to provide Ukrainians the opportunity to flee after Russia’s incursion. 362,664 CUAET applications have been submitted to IRCC since March 17, adding to the backlog.
A continuing issue with Canada’s immigration system is highlighted by the total rise of the backlog, which has increased by about three times since the pandemic began in March 2020. It is due to IRCC’s persistence in accepting new applications during the epidemic, despite the fact that this capacity was severely constrained for much of 2020 and 2021.
In an effort to catch up, the department is taking measures like expanding its processing workforce and considering technical enhancements.
The difficulties with Canadian immigration applications have been noted by various branches of the federal government.
A review of the backlogs was started in May by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) of the Canadian Parliament. It will lead to a public study with suggestions for advancement.
A federal task force was established in June by Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, to address the backlog issues. A group of federal ministers make up it, and they will offer suggestions on how to deal with the problems that are generating the backlog in application processing. The objective is to provide both short-term and long-term solutions that will reduce backlogs and enhance the quality and speed of services while also eradicating them.
