The recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) marks a significant shift in how processing times are communicated, Calculated and managed for various immigration programs. Moving forward, IRCC will provide anticipated processing times online, offering applicants valuable insights into the expected duration of their application processing journey.
This proactive approach aims to empower applicants by enabling them to better anticipate and plan for the timeline of their immigration process. The updated processing times will cover several high-volume immigration programs, including the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry), Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry streams), Federal Skilled Workers (Express Entry), Quebec Skilled Workers, citizenship grants, citizenship certificate applications (proof of citizenship), as well as spouse or common-law partner applications, whether residing inside or outside Canada, and parents or grandparents sponsorships.
The decision to revamp processing time calculations stems from recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General last October. The report emphasized the importance of transparent and accurate communication regarding application processing times, urging for online information to be provided for all permanent residence (PR) applications.
IRCC’s adoption of forward-looking processing times represents an initial step towards addressing these recommendations. This approach estimates the time needed to issue a final decision based on the total number of applications in the queue and anticipated processing capacity. It acknowledges the impact of various factors, such as admission spaces within the annual Immigration Levels Plan, processing capacity, and seasonal fluctuations in application volumes.
While this new method will primarily apply to permanent residence applications, the traditional backward processing times will still be utilized for temporary residence applications, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas.
For applicants who have already submitted their applications under the new processing time method, IRCC advises against reapplying. Emphasizing that applications will continue to be processed in the order they are received, IRCC assures applicants that they are closer to the front of the queue and should expect to wait no longer than the newly established forward-looking processing times for a final decision.
As IRCC strives to streamline its operations and address backlog issues, it provides regular updates on the status of applications in inventory. The most recent data reveals a total of 2,121,200 applications in inventory, with 1,320,000 within service standards and 892,000 in backlog. This breakdown extends to different application types, shedding light on the current landscape of immigration processing in Canada.
In light of recent changes, such as the requirement for Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) for study permit applicants, IRCC acknowledges the challenges and aims to navigate these transitions while maintaining service standards and addressing backlog concerns.
With ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency, IRCC remains committed to facilitating the immigration journey for applicants, ensuring that their aspirations to build a future in Canada are supported and realized.
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