In a new IRCC Backlog Update on Thursday August 24, 2023, Canada has been processing a record number of immigration and visa applications which include those for visitor visas, work permits, and study permits with a total application inventory of 2.3 million as of July 31, 2023.
Since the pandemic, the files have been heaping up and IRCC processing involves extensive assessment of applicants on a case-by-case basis, which takes up a great deal of time.
Backlog increases by 4.27% for temporary residency applications, with overall processing inventory mounting to 1,346,200 as compared to the previous backlog update.
The backlog reduces by 5.69% for citizenship and by 4.13% for permanent residency applications, with the overall inventory for these applications reducing by nearly 2%.
Although the backlogs are expected to reduce monthly but there is a high possibility that it will run into 2024.
New IRCC Backlog Update 2023
| Application Type | Overall Processing Inventory As of July 31 | Overall Processing Inventory As of June 30 | difference |
| Citizenship | 296,900 | 302,000 | -1.69% |
| Permanent Residence | 631,500 | 644,000 | -1.94% |
| Temporary Residence | 1,346,200 | 1,318,000 | 2.14% |
| Total | 2,274,600 | 2,264,000 | 0.47% |
IRCC Overall Processing Inventory
| Application Type | Backlog | Percentage Change | Within Service Standards | Percentage Change |
| Citizenship | 67,900 | -5.69% | 229,000 | -0.43% |
| Permanent Residence | 290,500 | -4.13% | 341,000 | 0.00% |
| Temporary Residence | 444,200 | 4.27% | 902,000 | 1.16% |
| Total | 802,600 | 0.20% | 1,472,000 | 0.64% |
IRCC Backlog data as of July 31, 2023
The Canadian government is facing backlash for welcoming a staggering increase in the record number of permanent and temporary residents every year amid the housing crisis.
2023 IRCC Monthly Backlog Data
| Date | Backlog | Total Applications Under Processing |
|---|---|---|
| July 31, 2023 | 802,600 | 2,274,600 |
| June 30, 2023 | 801,000 | 2,264,000 |
| May 31, 2023 | 820,000 | 2,248,000 |
| April 30, 2023 | 809,000 | 2,006,000 |
| March 31, 2023 | 896,300 | 2,017,700 |
| February 28, 2023 | 910,400 | 1,962,600 |
| January 31, 2023 | 974,600 | 1,944,500 |
Canadian Immigration Backlog in 2023
See below the IRCC’s official backlog projections for various application types by the end of September 2023
- 20% backlog for Federal High Skilled and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry)
- 24–26% backlog for Citizenship and spousal sponsorship applications.
- 17-20% for study permits and work permits.
- 36% for temporary resident visas or visitor visas.
Anything equal to or below 20% means IRCC is meeting the service standard for that business line.
Canada is still on course to welcome a total number of 465,000 applicants this year.
Need help creating an express entry profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Send us an email on eseumohimmigration@gmail.com