Immigration-related programs monthly update: January 2023

The government continues to struggle to make progress on backlogs as the percentage failing to meet service standards has deteriorated slightly: temporary residence 53 percent, permanent residence 56 percent and citizenship 27 percent. The backlog of visitor visas remains high at 70 percent (January 31 data).

Most  programs show a seasonal increase following the Christmas holiday slowdown with the exception of students, asylum claimants (but irregular arrivals continued to increase) and visitor visas.

Of particular note is the dramatic increase in TR2PR transitions; after trending downwards in 2022, the number increased six-fold, accounting for more than 60 percent of all PRs.