Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a novel approach to calculating processing times for specific applications. In a recent announcement, the department revealed its intention to publish anticipated processing times online using forward-looking processing times. This innovative method is designed to aid applicants in forecasting the duration of their application processing.
Updated Processing Times: The updated processing times will be applicable to various high-volume immigration programs, including:
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
Provincial Nominees Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
Federal Skilled Workers (Express Entry)
Quebec Skilled Workers
Citizenship grants
Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)
Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada
Spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner living outside Canada
Parents or grandparents
Rationale for Change: The decision to alter processing time calculations was prompted by a report from the Office of the Auditor General last October. This report emphasized the necessity for improved communication and accuracy in IRCC’s processing time estimates.
Addressing Recommendations: IRCC’s adoption of this new method represents one of its initial steps in addressing the recommendations outlined in the Auditor General’s report. It signifies the department’s commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in its processes. Additionally, IRCC anticipates further updates to service standards by the end of the year.
Service Standards: Service standards refer to the reasonable timeframe within which IRCC aims to issue a final decision on an application. These standards vary depending on the type of application. For example, spousal sponsorship applications have a service standard of 12 months, while Express Entry permanent residence applications should ideally take no longer than six months.
How Forward-Looking Processing Times Work: IRCC’s new method for estimating processing times relies on various factors, including the total number of applications in the queue and the department’s projected processing capacity. This approach takes into account variables such as admission spaces within the annual Immigration Levels Plan, processing capacity, and seasonal fluctuations in application volumes.
Applicability to Temporary Residence Applications: The forward-looking processing time method will also be applicable to temporary residence applications, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas.
Reapplication Guidance: Clients who have already submitted applications using the new processing time method are advised against reapplying. IRCC assures applicants that existing applications will be processed in the order received, typically within the new forward-looking processing time.
Current Backlog: IRCC regularly updates application inventory figures, categorizing applications as either processed within service standards or in backlog. As of the latest data, there are a total of 2,121,200 applications in inventory, with efforts focused on processing 80% of applications within service standards.
Breakdown of Backlog by Application Type: The breakdown of backlog by application type reveals varying numbers of applications within service standards and backlog across different categories. Notably, temporary residence applications, including work, study, and visitor visas, reflect a significant backlog, partly due to recent changes in Canada’s international student program. Specifically, 46% of study permit applications are currently in backlog, attributed to new requirements introduced in January regarding Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs).
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