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“IRCC Backlog Grows as Canada Plans to Cut Immigration in 2025!”

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has seen a steady rise in its application backlog over recent months. As of September 30, 2024, the backlog stood at 1,097,000 applications, a 1.73% increase from August’s 1,078,300. In July, the backlog reached 1,002,400, crossing the one-million mark for the first time in months. The total inventory now includes 2,450,600 applications, with 1,353,600 being processed within IRCC’s service standards—a 0.83% improvement over August’s 1,342,500. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration What is the backlog? An application is considered part of the backlog if it exceeds IRCC’s published processing timelines, which vary based on the type of application. For example, most Express Entry applications are expected to be processed within six months of submission. IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within these timelines, but high demand can lead to delays. Permanent Residence Applications As of September 24, IRCC had 816,000 permanent residence applications in its inventory, with 510,800 (63%) processed within service standards, leaving 305,200 in the backlog. Express Entry: 17% of applications were in the backlog, slightly better than the 20% target but higher than the 15% projection. PNP Streams Linked to Express Entry: 23% of applications were in the backlog, exceeding the 20% target. Spousal, Partner, and Child Sponsorships (outside Quebec): The backlog was at 15%, consistent with the target. Temporary Residence Applications Temporary residence applications have seen a significant backlog increase. Of the 1,411,700 applications, only 658,000 met service standards, resulting in a backlog rate of 72%, up from 49% in July. Study Permits: 36% of applications were in the backlog. Work Permits: 47% faced delays. Citizenship Applications The backlog for citizenship grants has remained steady at 17% since November 2023, aligning with IRCC’s target. IRCC’s Measures to Address the Backlog The recently announced Immigration Levels Plan (October 2024) reduced permanent resident admissions targets for the next three years while introducing temporary resident admission targets for the first time. These changes aim to reduce the growing backlog. Additionally, Canada’s Federal Court launched a Study Permit Pilot Project in October to streamline judicial review for rejected study permits, cutting the processing time from 14-18 months to under five months. Other measures include prioritizing essential worker applications and extending Post-Graduation Work Permit validity for master’s graduates from two to three years. These steps are designed to ease application processing and reduce delays. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

IRCC Application Backlog Continues to Rise Steadily Over the Summer 

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) saw its application backlog increase to 1,078,300 by the end of August 2024. This represents a 7.6% rise in the backlog compared to the previous month, July 2024.  July marked a notable milestone, as the backlog exceeded one million applications for the first time in several months. Despite ongoing efforts by the IRCC to address and reduce the backlog, it currently accounts for 1,078,300 out of a total of 2,420,800 applications, meaning that 1,342,500 applications are still being processed within the department’s service standards.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The IRCC defines an application as being in backlog if it is not processed within the published service standards. These standards represent the timelines the department deems reasonable for processing specific types of applications. The timelines vary depending on the type of immigration pathway and the nature of the application. For instance, the IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within six months of receiving a completed application, while study permits generally take 60 days.  The IRCC strives to process 80% of all applications within these service standards, leaving the remaining 20% to account for more complex applications or cases requiring additional processing time.  In an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request obtained earlier in 2024, the IRCC stated that it is committed to reviewing and updating its service standards, with new standards expected to be published by December 31, 2024.  Current Backlog  Permanent Residence Applications  As of August 31, 2024, the IRCC had a total of 805,600 applications in inventory for permanent residence programs. These included Express Entry programs, Express Entry-aligned streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship programs for spouses, partners, and children.  Of the total permanent residence applications, 37% (300,800) were considered part of the backlog.  While exact numbers weren’t provided, the IRCC did share percentages that show how the backlog is distributed:  Express Entry: The backlog reached 16%, which is slightly higher than the projected 15%, though still within the acceptable 20% threshold set by the department.  Express Entry-aligned PNP: The backlog for this stream stood at 22%, exceeding the projected 20%.  Spouses, Partners, and Children (outside Quebec): This category had a smaller backlog than projected, with only 14% of applications in backlog, below the expected 15%.  Temporary Residence Applications  The backlog for temporary residence applications continues to rise, reaching 53% in August 2024, up from 49% in July. This means that 738,900 out of 1,386,000 temporary residence applications are now in backlog.  The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) backlog is particularly significant, with 71% of applications in backlog, far exceeding the projected 43%.  Both study permits and work permits show substantial backlogs as well, with 32% and 47%, respectively, being categorized as backlog. Citizenship Applications  As in the previous month, citizenship applications remain the only category within acceptable backlog thresholds. As of August, 38,600 out of a total of 229,200 citizenship applications were in backlog, representing 17%, unchanged from July’s figures.  IRCC’s Efforts to Reduce the Backlog  The IRCC has implemented various measures to reduce the backlog, which surged to critical levels in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff shortages, and resource allocation issues at international offices. Among the steps taken to streamline the process are:  Expanding and enhancing online application processes for permanent residence and citizenship.  Introducing virtual citizenship ceremonies and online status-checking portals to reduce administrative delays.  Prioritizing applications from individuals in essential occupations to address ongoing labor shortages.  To further manage the backlog, the IRCC also plans to limit the number of temporary residents. The department aims to reduce the volume of temporary residents entering Canada to just 5% of current levels by introducing a “soft cap” on the number of temporary resident permits issued.  With these initiatives, the IRCC is striving to bring the backlog under control while continuing to meet the country’s immigration and labor market needs. The department’s updated service standards, set to be released by the end of 2024, are expected to provide clearer guidance on processing times and help streamline the application process going forward.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

In Canada, how many hours can an international student work?

International students in Canada will be able to work off-campus up to 24 hours a week starting this autumn, up from the existing cap of 20 hours. Minister of Immigration Marc Miller made the announcement of the adjustment in April, saying the new 24-hour cap “strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes.” The new rule is anticipated to go into effect at some point this month, while the precise date of implementation is still pending. International students may work off-campus during the academic year for up to 20 hours per week till then. Discover your options to study in Canada During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, there is no limit on the number of hours students can work. Off-campus work includes areas outside the educational institution and its campus, including self-employment roles like Uber or DoorDash deliveries. Not abiding by the rules could have consequences including losing a student status, not being approved for a study or work permit in the future and even having to leave the country. Note: Until the new hourly cap is officially announced, the 20-hour limit to off-campus work remains in place.   Work Conditions Number of hours of work per week typically allowed On campus Unlimited Off campus, while classes are in session (currently) 20 Off campus, while classes are in session (starting this fall) 24 Off campus, during school breaks Unlimited Remote for an employer outside Canada Unlimited   Who is allowed to work as an international student in Canada?  Students are only allowed to work on-campus or off-campus while studying if their study permit states this information. To get an off-campus job without a work permit, international students need to meet the following eligibility requirements. Have a valid study permit;  Study full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI);  Already have started studying at their DLI and remain in satisfactory academic standing;  Be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that is at least six months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate; and  Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).  They have to be a full-time student before and after a break to work full-time during the break. For example, students can’t start work before they start their first school semester.  Part-time students at DLIs can work off-campus if they’re in their final semester, need a reduced course load to finish, and were a full-time student in previous semesters.  Likewise, there are some international students who are not eligible for off-campus in Canada. This includes:  Students only enrolled in an English or French as a second language program;  Those only taking general interest courses;  Those taking courses to be accepted to a full-time program; and  Those don’t meet requirements to work off-campus.  If one of the above applies, they will need a work permit to work while studying in Canada.  Working on-campus as an international student in Canada For international students in Canada, finding a part-time job may be a good way to gain international experience while also covering some basic expenses.  International students in Canada can work on-campus in addition to off-campus employment, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria. Unlike off-campus work, there is no limit to the number of hours students can work on-campus.  On-campus work refers to employment within the buildings or grounds of a school’s campus. This includes jobs with the school itself, faculty members, student organizations, or private businesses that operate on campus. Students can even work for themselves if they own a business that is physically located on-campus.  If a school has multiple campuses, students are generally expected to work at the campus where they are enrolled. However, exceptions are possible, such as when a student is a research or teaching assistant, or when the work is tied to a research grant. Students may also work at libraries or research facilities affiliated with the school but located outside the main campus.  Additionally, students can work unlimited hours remotely for an employer based outside Canada, as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit. This remote work does not count towards the  off-campus work hour limit.  Earning as an international student in Canada  For those looking for a part-time job, minimum wage varies by province:   Province Minimum Wage Effective Date Alberta $15.00 26 June 2019 British Columbia $17.40 1 June 2024 Manitoba $15.30 1 October 2023 New Brunswick $15.30 1 April 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador $15.60 1 April 2024 Northwest Territories $16.05 1 September 2023 Nova Scotia $15.20 1 April 2024 Nunavut $19.00 1 January 2024 Ontario $16.55 1 October 2023 Ontario $17.20 1 October 2024 Prince Edward Island $15.40 1 April 2024 Prince Edward Island $16.00 1 October 2024 Quebec $15.75 1 May 2024 Saskatchewan $14.00 1 October 2023 Saskatchewan $15.00 1 October 2024 Yukon $17.59 1 April 2024   International students looking to maximize earnings through their part-time work can also look for higher-paying jobs, such as those in administration, teaching, or translating.    Certain occupations may have restrictions for study permit holders, and will be stated on the study permit. As residents of Canada for tax purposes, students will have to file income tax returns the following year.   Changes to international students’ working hours cap in recent years  International students in Canada have traditionally been allowed to work up to 20 hours a week in Canada during regular school terms or semesters. During the pandemic, the government announced a temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours. The policy was put in place to ease the country’s labour shortage while also giving students the chance to earn more money.   On April 30, 2024, the IRCC announced that this interim provision would not be continued in order “to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.” Miller argues that in order for pupils to focus their education, adjustments have been implemented. “Students should

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