The backlog of immigration applications in Canada is decreasing. According to IRCC data, this is the third consecutive month that the backlog has remained below the 1 million mark. IRCC says its goal is to process 80 percent of applications within deadlines, while the remaining 20 percent of applications may take longer due to complexity.
The backlog of immigration applications in Canada is steadily decreasing. According to a Business Standard report, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is processing more files under its prescribed service standards. The number of pending cases in March 2025 is 821,200, up from 892,100 in January. This is a decline of 7.95 per cent on a monthly basis. According to IRCC data, this is the third consecutive month when the backlog has remained below the 1 million mark.
Total applications across all immigration categories reached 2,029,400 by the end of February. Of these, 1,208,200 applications were processed under service standards, which vary by program.
What counts as a backlog?
IRCC considers an application to be part of the backlog if it takes longer than the department's service standard. For example, Express Entry applications must be processed within six months. Family sponsorship applications are expected to be processed within 12 months. If the processing time exceeds this, the application is included in the backlog. IRCC says it aims to process 80 percent of applications within these timeframes, while the remaining 20 percent of applications may take longer due to complexity.
Backlog in the last six months
The backlog has been reducing since September 2024. Here are the month-by-month details:
September, 2024: 1,097,000 applications (+1.73 per cent)
October, 2024: 1,056,100 (-3.73 per cent)
November, 2024: 1,006,500 (-4.70 per cent)
December, 2024: 942,300 (-6.38 per cent)
January, 2025: 892,100 (-5.33 per cent)
February, 2025: 821,200 (-7.95 per cent)
Permanent Resident Applications
There were 842,600 permanent residency applications on the list at the end of February, including the Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Family Sponsorship streams. Of these, 478,600 (57 per cent) applications were under service standards and 364,000 were in backlog.
While IRCC does not give exact numbers for each stream, 25 per cent of Express Entry applications were pending, which is above the 20 per cent limit.
The backlog in the Express Entry-aligned PNP stream rose to 36 percent in February from 30 percent in January. In contrast, the family sponsorship backlog narrowed slightly to 14 percent from 15 percent the previous month.
Temporary resident applications
Of the total 947,200 applications for temporary residency programs, 414,500 were pending. Only 56 percent were processed on time.
65 percent of visitor visa applications were pending, while IRCC's internal target is 50 percent.
45 percent of study permit applications were delayed, while the estimated backlog is 24 percent.
Work permit applications had a backlog rate of 34 percent, the lowest since July 2023.
Citizenship applications
Citizenship remains the least affected category. Of the total 239,600 applications, 196,900 were under service standards. This leaves an 18 percent backlog - still below the department's 20 percent target.
How is IRCC dealing with this backlog?
IRCC has introduced a number of measures to control the growing inventory, especially after years of pandemics.
Automation and analytics: In its November 2024 update, IRCC said it is using digital tools to speed up processing. "These tools assist officers with identifying straightforward applications and summaries for decision-making," the department said. More than 80 percent of visitor visa applications now use automation.
Application cap: Setting a cap on new international study permits in 2024 has reduced admissions by approximately 35 per cent compared to 2023. Permits approved have been capped at 360,000.
Steady immigration target: According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27, Canada will remain stable at 485,000 permanent residents in 2025 and 500,000 in both 2026 and 2027. “This stability allows us to better manage inventory and improve forecasting,” IRCC said.