IRCC rolls out updated processing time calculation method for certain applications. Applicants may more accurately predict how long their applications will take to process thanks to this forward-thinking strategy. In an effort to increase openness and assist applicants in setting reasonable expectations, the IRCC will make these projected processing timeframes available online.
The expedited processing periods will apply to several in-demand immigration programs, including:
- Citizenship certificates (proof of citizenship)
- Spouse or common-law partner applications for those living within Canada
- Parent or grandparent sponsorship programs
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
- Citizenship grants
- Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
- Spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner applications for those residing outside Canada
A report released by the Office of the Auditor General in October of last year emphasized the necessity of altering the methodology used to compute processing times. Regarding how IRCC should calculate and disclose application processing timelines, the report provided a number of recommendations.
As to the research, it is imperative to give online information on processing timelines for all applications for permanent residency, while considering the volume and age of applications that are currently in inventory.
One of the first steps towards implementing the recommendations of the report is the recent modification to the IRCC’s processing time calculation methodology. By year’s end, more revised service standards are anticipated. The timelines that IRCC deems appropriate for making a final decision on an application are referred to as service standards. These requirements vary according on the kind of application. For example, spousal sponsorship applications have a 12-month service criterion.
On the other hand, IRCC should process permanent residence applications submitted through the Express Entry program within six months. These timelines give applicants a starting point for estimating how long the procedure should take in typical situations.
Understanding Forward-Looking Processing Times – How They Work and What They Mean
IRCC states that forward-looking processing times approximate the duration required to make a final judgment on an application. This approach bases its calculations on the total number of pending applications. As well as the anticipated volume of applications the department anticipates completing in a specified amount of time. The IRCC’s processing capacity, seasonal variations in the sorts of applications submitted, and the availability of admission spaces in the annual Immigration Levels Plan are just a few of the variables that could cause these estimates to change.
In the past, the IRCC used historical data to estimate processing timelines, primarily focusing on the length of time needed to complete previous applications. The IRCC calculated its backward-looking processing timeframes for permanent residence programs by looking at the time it took to process 80% of applications in the previous six months. The study permits, work permits, and guest visas are examples of temporary residence programs for which this analysis usually covered a period of 8 to 16 weeks.
IRCC will still use the current approach based on historical data for temporary residence applications, maintaining continuity in projecting processing times for those specific applications, even as it adopts forward-looking processing timeframes for many other programs.
Reapplying for an Immigration Application – When and Why You Should Consider It
IRCC advises candidates who have already applied to programs using the new forward-looking processing time method to refrain from reapplying. According to IRCC, your application is probably closer to the front of the queue if you have already applied. The department processes applications in the order they are received, so the priority of your current application is determined by its submission date.
According to IRCC, you won’t often have to wait longer than the new forward-looking processing period to hear back on your application. Reapplying can result in additional delays as it resets your place in the queue. It is therefore advisable to continue with your present application and let the process finish.
IRCC’s existing application backlog
In addition to classifying applications into two groups based on whether they are processed in accordance with service standards or not (the latter group being categorized as backlog), IRCC regularly updates the overall number of applications in its inventory.
The objective of IRCC is to handle eighty percent of applications within set service standards for all programs.
The most recent statistics shows that there were 2,121,200 applications overall in the IRCC’s inventory as of March 31. IRCC categorizes 892,000 as backlog, while it processes 1,320,000 in accordance with service requirements.
The department segments the data by application type. For example, IRCC has handled 440,000 out of 746,000 permanent residency applications in accordance with service standards, while the other 306,000 are in the backlog.
The data shows that IRCC is processing 665,400 applications for temporary residence—covering work permits, study permits, and guest visas—within service standards, while 538,600 applications are in the backlog. With this, the IRCC’s inventory of temporary residence applications now stands at 1,204,000.
The fact that 46% of study permit applications are pending is an important observation to make. Recent modifications to Canada’s international student program, which mandate that all provinces provide Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to foreign applicants accepted to specified educational institutions, are partially to blame for this. Introduced in January, this new requirement caused delays because the majority of provinces did not build their PAL-issuing systems until March.
The entire inventory is 262,000 applications for citizenship. 214,000 meet service standards, while 47,400 are backlogged.
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