CIMM – Backlogs, State of Inventories, Staffing and Key Innovations – November 29, 2022
Key Messages
The Department continues to make progress on reducing backlogs aided by additional staff and processing innovations.
Productivity is high. To the end of October, 4.3M final decisions were made across temporary resident, permanent resident and citizenship programs, compared to 2.3M in the same period last year.
In 2021, Canada made history by welcoming over 405,000 new permanent residents. This year IRCC is on track to exceed 432,000 admissions, another historical achievement.
Since July 2022, processing inventories have been reduced by over 300,000 from 2.8M to 2.5M despite temporary resident intake above forecasts; including over 685,000 applications (as of end of Oct) under the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel received since March 2022.
These results have been achieved by:
Adding almost 1,100 full time equivalents to our Department between March and October 2022; and
Key innovations including online applications for permanent residents, and the automation and streamlining of processing steps for low risk travelers.
Supplementary Messages
Backlogs And Inventories
IRCC is currently projected to exceed the admissions target of 431,645 tabled in Cabinet, and has already met the low end of the admissions range, surpassing 400,000 admissions.
Some 2022 admission targets have already been met including: Federal High Skilled, Parents and Grandparents, Protected Persons in Canada, and Government Assisted Refugees. Most ranges have been met as well.
This strong progress has enabled additional flexibility for the Department to increase focus on finalizing older applications, which will help with meeting service standards moving forward, as well as preparing to achieve even higher levels in 2023 (465,000).
As of the end of October, 4.3M final decisions were made across temporary resident, permanent resident and citizenship programs, compared to 2.3M in the same period last year.
Key Accomplishments Since July (Data As Of End Of October, 2022)
Temporary Resident inventory has been reduced by over 150,000 applications (from 1,714,000 to 1,561,000 applications).
Study Permits inventory has been reduced by 56,000 from 187,000 to 125,000. Study permit processing times have slightly increased from 84 to 88 days because we are clearing out old cases, but study permit extensions are back within the service standard.
Work Permit (non-CUAET) inventory has decreased by 21,000 from 101,000 to 80,000. Processing times have decreased to 111 days from 192 days.
The Temporary Resident Visa (including CUAET) inventory has been reduced by 53,000 from 907,000 to 854,000. Processing times have increased to 145 days from 90, due pressure from increased intake and clearing out old cases.
The Department is making progress on reducing CUAET inventories, despite intake not stopping. The Department is funded for 300,000 CUAET applications and we have received more than 671,000 applications to the end of October, and approved more than 366,000 at the same date.
The Permanent Resident inventory has been reduced by 107,100 applications from 714,700 to 607,600. 46% of the permanent resident inventory is within service standard compared to 40% in July.
New clients applying under Express Entry Programs or under Spouses, Partners or Children programs (except Quebec) can expect to be processed within service standards (6 months and 12 months respectively).
The Citizenship inventory has been reduced by 53,000 applications from 382,000 to 329,00. Processing times have decreased to 24 months, from 26 months in July.
N.B: This fiscal year, IRCC is on track for a new record of citizens with a projected range of 307,000 to 341,000. The previous confirmed record for new citizens was 252,000 in 2015/16.
Staffing
IRCC employs an integrated, department-wide approach to staffing planning and hiring.
To process more files, lessen wait times, and reduce the inventory of applications, IRCC has already hired almost 1,100 full time equivalents (FTEs) as of October 31, 2022.
Of those hired, 841 FTEs or 83% have been fully on-boarded and trained and are now working on processing and other key activities.
With respect to Afghanistan specifically, from April 1 to October 31, IRCC has hired 224 new FTEs.
In the meantime, planned hiring is ongoing with more than 300 additional full time equivalents to be hired by the end of March 2023.
Innovations – Current And Upcoming
IRCC continues to produce a high volume of decisions, aided by the launch of various measures including automated eligibility decisions, advanced analytics and bulk processing.
The Department allowed temporary foreign nationals to stay and work by extending post-graduate work permits and waived limits on student hours of work.
The Department rolled out mandatory e-application for most permanent resident programs.
The Liaison Services at the Ministerial Centre for Members of Parliament and Senators was launched.
A new public-facing webpage was launched with information on service standard adherence and will implement forward looking processing times.
IRCC is on track to roll-out case status trackers for Express Entry lines of business, Student Permit and Work Permits by end of March, 2023.
The Department expanded online citizenship applications to adults, and e-citizenship certificates and is seeking amendments to the Citizenship Act and regulations to gain authorities necessary for the use of automation and biometrics.
IRCC is on track to roll out a new passport issuance platform which leverages automation at ESDC.
Automation for the simplified adult passport renewals has been fully deployed. Based on pilot results, 80% of adult renewals can be automated, with an efficiency gain of 4 minutes per application.