Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facing mounting challenges in reducing its application backlog, which crossed the 1 million mark once again this summer. As of August 31, 2024, the backlog stood at 1,078,300—an increase of 7.6% from July. This surge came despite the department’s continuing initiatives to streamline processing and improve response times.
IRCC’s total inventory of applications reached 2,420,800 by the end of August, meaning just over 55% (1,342,500 applications) were within standard processing timelines. The backlog—applications that exceed IRCC’s published service standards—includes a mix of immigration pathways such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, family sponsorships, and more.
IRCC defines an application in backlog as one not completed within the department’s designated service standards. These timelines vary depending on the program: for instance, Express Entry applications are generally expected to be processed within six months, while study permit applications typically take 60 days. The federal immigration agency aims to process 80% of all applications within these benchmarks, acknowledging that the remaining 20% may need additional review due to complexity or supplementary requirements.
The bulk of the current inventory can be attributed to permanent residence programs. As of August 31, there were 805,600 permanent residence applications in queue. Of these, more than a third—approximately 300,800—were considered part of the backlog. This category includes applicants via Express Entry, PNP streams linked to Express Entry, and family sponsorship for spouses, partners, and children.
In response to rising concerns around wait times and transparency, IRCC has pledged to modernize its internal benchmarks. According to a statement released through an Access to Information request earlier this year, the department plans to review and update its service standards, with new timelines set to be released by December 31, 2024.
Experts note that elevated backlog levels could affect Canada’s broader immigration goals, particularly as the country seeks to balance an ambitious intake target with operational realities. Temporary resident categories such as international students and foreign workers have also faced longer wait times, prompting further scrutiny from stakeholders.
Though the IRCC has made strides in transitioning to digital systems and hiring additional officers, application volumes continue to strain capacity. With immigration being a central pillar of Canada’s demographic and economic strategy, particularly in addressing labor shortages, timely processing remains a top priority for the government.
Maple News will continue monitoring the situation as IRCC rolls out new measures and updates its objectives to better serve applicants in Canada and abroad.