OGGO – Backlogs, State of Inventories, Staffing and Key Innovations – June 5, 2023

Date: May 3, 2023

Classification: None

Department: IRCC

Issue:

To provide an update on the state of application inventories, staffing and key innovations.

• With unprecedented interest in Canada from applicants all over the world, IRCC continues to receive a high volume of applications and set processing records.
• Within the first three months of 2023, IRCC has processed over 1.7 million applications across temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship lines of business; over 700,000 more applications as compared to the same period last year.
• This high level of production was the result of additional staff and processing innovations including online applications for Permanent Residents, and the automation and streamlining of processing steps for low risk travelers.
• Given an unprecedented rise in intake due to economic recovery and over one million applications received under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), the volume of applications in processing inventories remained high, with over 2 million across all lines of business as of end of March 2023. However, this represents a reduction of more than 200,000 applications since October 2022.
• However, increasing shares of inventory are within or under our service standard, and processing times are dropping across our business lines.

Contact:
Marie-Josee Dorion
Director General, Operations Planning and Performance Branch

Approved by:
Daniel Mills
Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector
Tel. No.: 613-437-6396

Background:

Key Accomplishments Within the Past 6 Months (End of October 2022 Vs. End of March 2023 Data)¹,²

• Temporary Resident inventory ³ has been reduced by ~218,000 applications (from 1,304,000 to 1,086,000 applications).
  • Temporary Resident Visa inventory^{Footnote 4} has been reduced by ~182,700 applications from 826,700 to 644,000. Due to a focus on finalization of older files, processing times remain high for both CUAET and TRV applications (185 days and 102 days respectively). However, clearing out the aged files is a necessary step for returning to a healthy inventory.
  • Study Permit inventory^{Footnote 5} has decreased by ~31,000 applications, from ~125,000 to ~94,000. Processing times have decreased from 102 days to 61 days, bringing us close to the 60 day service standard. IRCC continues to make efforts to sustain this pace of processing. At the time of this appearance, processing time for study permits are at 49 days (April 29, 2023 data) well below the 60 days standard.
  • Work Permit inventory^{Footnote 6} has increased by ~40,200 from 308,400 to 348,600. Processing times in this line of business have decreased from 122 to 60 days. The Department will continue its efforts to maintain this service standard.
• Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) applications and special measures continue to be a priority for IRCC. Intake remains high for CUAET Work Permit - in just the first three months of this year, we have received more than 169,300 applications.
• Permanent Resident inventory has increased by 31,000 applications from 603,700 to 634,700^{Footnote 7}. However, part of this increase, particularly in the economic classes, is needed to achieve 465k permanent resident admissions as established by the 2023 Levels Plan.
  • Provincial Nominee Express Entry Program processing times have significantly improved compared to the same period last year. Most new clients applying as of July 2022, should expect their applications to be processed within the six month service standard.
  • Processing times have also improved for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry Program. By the end of March 2023, CEC applications were being processed within five months, which is less than the service standard for this pathway (six months).
• Citizenship Grants inventory has been reduced by 35,000 applications from 332,000 in October 2022 to 297,000 as of March 2023.^{Footnote 8} As of March 2023, most new clients can expect to be processed with the service standard of 12 months.

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 hired additional employees throughout 2022 and will continue hiring efforts throughout 2023. 

Innovations – Current and Upcoming

• The Department continues to allow temporary foreign nationals to stay and work in Canada. Starting April 6, Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holders are invited to apply for the extension of their permits.
• A new federal pathway for the Economic Mobility program is expected to open in summer 2023, will allow skilled refuges and other displaced individuals to be hired by Canadian employers.
• In February and March 2023, IRCC rolled out case status trackers for the most pressing Permanent Resident and Temporary Resident lines of business, in addition to those already in place for Family Class and Citizenship.
• Starting January 30, 2023, a two-year measure broadened the eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children of temporary foreign workers. Work continues to further expand this initiative and include other cohorts of temporary foreign workers.
• Work is in progress to expand the Citizenship Grant online application to minors who have a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time.
• IRCC is expected to roll out a new passport issuance platform in Spring 2023 which leverages automation at ESDC.
• Budget 2023 announcement confirmed upcoming changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that will improve Privately Sponsored Refugee (PSR) intake procedures (amendments to come in force after the Act receives Royal Assent).