canada-immigration

If you are considering getting a work visa in Canada, then you need to know that the immigration backlog in Canada has grown by 260,000 over the past month as the country struggles to tackle the processing of immigrants. As of June 6, 2022, the immigration backlog stood at a cumulative 2.4 million people. 

To fast-track the immigrant applicant processing, the country announced a new task force that will work in urgent areas where action is needed for getting a work visa in Canada

Canada has struggled to cope with the record-breaking application backlog for quite some time. Even though the country has set a record-breaking speed with which it welcomed new immigrants in the first five months of 2022.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, while announcing the setting up of a new task force, said that the service delays in the past few months were unacceptable, and the government is doing everything it can to improve the services in a timely and efficient manner. The new task force is expected to help the government and guide the work to meet the evolving needs of Canadians. 

The new task force, which comprises a Cabinet Ministers committee, will review the current service delivery, identify gaps and areas where improvement is required and make recommendations so Canadians receive a high quality of Service. 

The Office of the Ministry of immigration, refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), Press Secretary Aidan Strickland, said they are moving into a more modernized, integrated, and centrally working environment to speed up processing the of applications from around the globe. 

The current backlog, as of June 6, 2022, includes 

  • Permanent Residence Applications – 522, 047
  • Temporary Residence Applications – 1,471, 173 
  • Citizenship Applications –394, 664

Temporary Residence backlog 

The increase of 216 382 applicants in the Temporary Residence from April 29 to June 6, 2022, put the backlog at 1,471, 173. The growth of applicants in this category is normal at this time of the year to a large extent. On analysis, one can see a seasonal component in the applications for temporary residence mainly because a specific category of people looks to visit Canada between Spring and Fall. 

For example, international students submit their applications for study permits around this time so that they can start their academic semester by late August or early September. Another category of people is those who apply for a temporary residence visa at this time so that they can visit Canada during spring and autumn, which are usually warmer months compared to the harsh winter.

Government initiative for getting a work visa in Canada

The government of Canada has committed $2.1 billion over the next five years and another $317. 6 million in funding in the ongoing budget of 2022 for supporting the processing of applications and settlements of new residents to Canada as a part of Canada’s Immigration plan.  

IRCC has started processing Express Entry applicants on priority. They include those already in the application pool to clear a path for new applicants.

According to Sean Frazer, the Minister for immigration, the draws for Express Entry will resume in July for all programs with the standard six months processing service for getting a work visa in Canada that was applicable before the pandemic.   

About Author