CIMM – Temporary Resident (TR) Processing – December 05, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

• Between January 1 and October 31, 2023, approximately 5.3 million Temporary Resident (TR) applications were received (including extensions) across all TR streams, compared to just over 4 million during the same period last year. From January 1 to October 31, 2023, almost 5.4 million TR applications were processed compared to approximately 3.3 million during the same period last year.
• As of October 31, 2023, 53% of total applications in our Temporary Resident inventories are now within service standards, an increase compared to 48% at the end of July 2022.

Key Messages

• IRCC continues to receive an unprecedented number of Temporary Resident (TR) applications, much more than prior to the pandemic, and continues to process record numbers of these applications.
• Despite unprecedented intake and output volumes, we continue to focus on improving processing times for all TR lines of business. However, as TR programs do not have intake controls, the application inventory can accumulate quickly, leading to longer processing times in categories such as Temporary Resident Visas.
• To manage intake volumes and achieve our processing commitments, we are using a range of initiatives – we have added resources where it makes sense, but also leveraged the use of innovative tools, such as advanced analytics, to streamline processing where appropriate while preserving the integrity of the immigration system.
• In addition, funding recently received for the TR Program will gradually increase the baseline to process approximately 4.7 million applications per year by 2027-28. However, current intake volumes have already surpassed this level of funding, and are expected to continue growing. The program may therefore be significantly underfunded in the coming years.

Supplementary Information

Temporary Resident Visas

• As of October 31, 2023, processing times for:
  • all TRVs (including CUAET) were at 80 days, down from 90 days at the end of July 2022.
  • Visitor Records are within service standards at 88 days, down from 175 days in July 2022.
• Due to a high number of TRV applications (non-CUAET), most new clients who apply now can expect a 95-105 days processing time.

Study Permits (SP):

• As of October 31, 2023, processing times for:
  • SPs were at 76 days, down from 84 days at the end of July 2022.
  • SP extensions were at 138 days, up from 54 days in July 2022.
• The latest forecasts indicate that Study Permit processing times will likely return below the 60 day service standard in early 2024. Most new clients who apply now can expect a 45-55 days processing time.

Work Permits (WP) non-CUAET:

• As of October 31, 2023, processing times for:
  • WPs were at 77 days, a significant improvement from 192 days at the end of July 2022.
  • WP extensions were at 133 days, down from 162 days in July 2022.
• The latest forecast indicates that processing times will likely return to 60 days service standard in early 2024. Most new clients who apply now can expect 85-95 days processing times.

If pressed on advanced analytics:

• Advanced analytics helps accelerate service for clients by sorting and triaging applications, automating routine processes, identifying applications suitable for streamlined processing, therefore resulting in more efficient distribution of applications based on processing capacity across the Networks. While this enables to better manage the workload, officers always make the final decision on whether to issue a visa.
• Examples of advanced analytics models currently in production to support temporary resident processing include:
  • Identify low-complexity files for positive eligibility determination: Temporary Resident Visa (overseas), Visitor Records and Work Permit Extensions.
  • Automated triage to support more efficient processing: Study Permits, Global Skills Strategy, TRV In-Canada and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.
• My department is further expanding the use of advanced analytics to help officers process TR applications.

If pressed on reducing inventories and improving client service:

• We are exploring a variety of solutions to reduce inventories and improve client service while balancing risks.
• Given soaring TR application intake volumes, the Department will continue to leverage advanced analytics to triage workload and expand automated determinations, where possible.
• We will continue to assess productivity and identify processing bottlenecks in order to implement targeted solutions to facilitate application processing.
• IRCC will also work to proactively offer clients more insights into decision making with an aim to improve client service.
• These efforts will better position us to focus on serving clients to provide them with the level of service they should expect from Canada.