Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is reporting increases in the backlog of citizenship and permanent residence (PR) applications but decreases in the country's total temporary residence (TR) application inventory.

For the second straight reporting period, including January 2023, IRCC has indicated that Canada's application backlog is still around 2.1 million people across all lines of business.

Current IRCC application inventories by immigration category/line of business

The following includes data that is current as of January 31 - February 1, 2023.

IRCC's citizenship application inventory has risen from 301,338 (January 3) to 302,980 (February 1).

Canada's backlog of permanent residence (PR) applications is also up over the last month, from 521,552 (January 2) to 523,557 (January 31). 

The temporary residence (TR) application backlog in this country has dropped by over 30,000 - down to 1,294,974 (across all TR programs, as of January 31) from 1,329,280 (January 2).

The Express Entry application management system has subtracted roughly 600 applications from its backlog as of January 31, with 47,868 applications still outstanding (was 48,409 as of January 3). 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Total inventory of 66,214 applications (base + enhanced), up from 62,270 in January

The total inventory for all family class immigration program applications has decreased slightly, down to 124,771 applications (from 125,631 on January 3). 

Note: Within the family class of immigration programs, Canada's Spouses and Partners sponsorship program currently has an inventory of 61,191 applications (down 290 from January 3) and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has also reduced its application backlog. The PGP now has 52,801 applicants waiting for a decision on their application, down from 52,960 in January 2023.

Understanding IRCC application processing: service standards

IRCC uses service standards to inform immigration applicants and other interested parties about how long the immigration department hopes to take when processing 80% of applications across all lines of business. 

The actual processing time for an application, different from the service standard, can vary depending on the type of application in question and the steps involved with processing the application. Processing times can also vary depending on whether the application is submitted from outside Canada or within the country. 

Below are IRCC's noted service standards, current as of the time of writing, for some of Canada's many immigration programs.

TR work permit (submitted outside Canada, excluding International Experience Canada): 60 days

TR study permit (submitted outside Canada): 60 days

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) electronic applications - Express Entry: 180 days

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) electronic applications - Express Entry: 180 days

Learn more about IRCC's service standards from the Government of Canada here. 

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