IRCC Backlog Shrinks Amidst Immigration Cuts and Strategic Changes
In a notable shift, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made strides in reducing its backlog of immigration applications. As of November 30, the backlog stood at 1,006,500 applications, a significant reduction from the 1,056,100 recorded at the end of October. This 4.7% drop in just one month marks a promising trend toward clearing the backlog, even as Canada grapples with new immigration policies and changing targets.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of IRCC’s Progress in Reducing Backlog
- Application Backlog Reduction
- A Look at the Decrease in Backlog Numbers
- Understanding the Backlog
- What Constitutes a Backlog and How It’s Measured
- Permanent Residence Applications
- Changes in Backlog for Express Entry, PNP, and Family Sponsorship Programs
- Temporary Residence Applications
- Challenges in Reducing the Backlog for Visitor Visas, Study Permits, and Work Permits
- Citizenship Application Backlog
- Steady Trends in Citizenship Processing
- IRCC’s Strategy to Tackle the Backlog
- Key Policy Changes and Measures Introduced by IRCC
- Focus on Essential Workers and Use of Technology
- Looking Ahead: Future of IRCC’s Backlog Management
- Impact of New Policies and Targets on Canada’s Immigration System
1. Introduction
The IRCC’s progress in reducing the application backlog is a significant development amid the government’s efforts to address growing immigration challenges. The department has faced increasing pressure to manage an overwhelming number of applications, but the recent reduction in backlog numbers, coupled with strategic policy shifts, suggests a proactive approach in handling these pressures.
2. Application Backlog Reduction
The overall inventory of applications held by the IRCC also decreased, from 2,406,000 at the end of October to 2,267,700 by the close of November. While this decrease suggests an overall reduction in the number of pending applications, the IRCC also reported a drop in the number of applications processed within its service standards. As of November 30, 1,261,200 applications were processed within the expected timelines, a decline from the previous month.
3. Understanding the Backlog
The backlog consists of applications that exceed the processing times set by the IRCC’s service standards. According to IRCC, applications are deemed to be in backlog if they surpass these designated timelines, which vary depending on the type of application. The IRCC targets to process 80% of applications within its service standards, with a 20% margin allowed for more complex cases. If the volume of applications exceeds available processing capacity, or if there are more complex cases than expected, certain applications may face delays.
4. Permanent Residence Applications
Among permanent residence applications, IRCC had 828,600 applications in its inventory at the end of November. Of these, 318,000 remained in backlog, an increase from 311,100 at the end of October. This includes applications from Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams aligned with Express Entry, and family sponsorship programs for spouses, partners, and children (except in Quebec).
The Express Entry backlog fell slightly, from 19% at the end of October to 18% at the end of November. However, the backlog for Express Entry, which had remained steady at 15% since January 2024, increased to 20% at the end of November, which is 2% more than the targeted and projected backlog of 20% for this category.
Meanwhile, the Express Entry-aligned PNP backlog decreased from 25% to 24%, still higher than the projected 20% target. For family sponsorships (excluding Quebec), the backlog fell from 15% to 14%, dipping below the projected backlog of 15%.
5. Temporary Residence Applications
Temporary residence applications continue to pose a challenge, with 649,400 out of 1,212,000 applications in backlog by the end of November. This backlog represents 54% of all temporary residence applications, a worrying increase. As a result, only 562,600 applications were processed within the service standards during the month, a decrease from 644,900 the previous month.
The most concerning numbers are seen in the visitor visa category, where 75% of all applications remain in the backlog—the highest percentage since IRCC began tracking this metric in 2022. Additionally, 36% of study permit applications and 51% of work permit applications are still in backlog.
6. Citizenship Application Backlog
On a more positive note, the backlog for citizenship applications remains relatively low compared to other categories. As of November 30, there were 227,100 citizenship applications, with 39,100 in backlog—representing just 17% of total applications. This is consistent with the backlog percentage from October.
7. IRCC’s Strategy to Tackle the Backlog
The IRCC’s efforts to reduce the backlog come at a time when the department is implementing several key policy changes. In October, the government unveiled the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-27, which includes a reduction in permanent resident targets for the next three years. The revised targets aim to alleviate pressure on IRCC’s processing capacity, particularly in relation to temporary residence applications.
Furthermore, on January 3, the government announced it would suspend new applications for sponsoring parents or grandparents for permanent residence in 2025. The decision allows IRCC to prioritize processing applications from 2024 under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
To further expedite processing, the IRCC is focusing on streamlining applications for workers in essential occupations and employing advanced analytics and automated technologies to improve efficiency, particularly for spousal and partner applications under the family class.
8. Looking Ahead: Future of IRCC’s Backlog Management
While the decrease in backlog is promising, the road ahead remains challenging. With ongoing policy adjustments, including the suspension of new applications for family sponsorships in 2025, IRCC’s success in tackling the backlog will largely depend on its ability to balance demand with processing capacity. The government’s strategic shift toward managing more complex cases and prioritizing essential workers could help ease the burden and improve processing times across the board.
Ultimately, how well these new measures perform will shape the future of Canada’s immigration system and its ability to keep up with the increasing demand for residency and citizenship applications.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
