IRCC Reports Significant Progress in Reducing Immigration Application Backlog
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made notable strides in reducing the backlog of immigration applications in recent months. As of February 28, 2025, the department’s backlog stood at 821,200, showing a marked decrease from 892,100 in January. This represents a reduction of nearly 8%, signaling consistent improvements in application processing and efficiency.
This achievement also marks the third consecutive month in which the IRCC backlog has remained under the 1 million mark, indicating progress in addressing the growing number of applications.
Breakdown of IRCC’s Immigration Backlog Over the Last Six Months
Over the past six months, the IRCC has successfully reduced the backlog by implementing various measures and improving processing speeds. Below is a look at the backlog figures for the last six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change from Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 1,097,000 | +1.73% |
| October 2024 | 1,056,100 | -3.73% |
| November 2024 | 1,006,500 | -4.70% |
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 892,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
Current Status of IRCC’s Immigration Inventory
As of the end of February, IRCC had a total of 2,029,400 applications in its inventory. Out of this total, 1,208,200 applications were processed within the department’s service standards, further highlighting the department’s efforts to streamline processing and reduce delays.
What Is Considered Part of the Backlog?
The backlog refers to applications that have not been processed within the IRCC’s published service standards. These standards outline the expected processing timelines for various types of immigration applications. For example, Express Entry applications have a standard processing time of six months, while family sponsorship applications are expected to be processed within 12 months. Any application that surpasses these timelines is considered part of the backlog.
Permanent Residency Applications and Backlog
As of February 28, 2025, IRCC had 842,600 applications in its inventory related to permanent residency. This includes applications for Express Entry, Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorship programs.
- Total Permanent Residence Applications: 842,600
- Applications Processed Within Service Standards: 478,600 (57%)
- Applications in Backlog: 364,000 (43%)
The Express Entry program continues to face a higher percentage of backlog, with 25% of applications falling outside of service standards, which exceeds the department’s target backlog of 20%. The backlog for PNP applications through Express Entry rose to 36% in February, up from 30% the previous month. Family sponsorship applications, however, remain well within expected ranges, with only 14% in the backlog, down from 15% in January.
Temporary Residency Applications
For temporary residency, which includes work permits, study permits, and visitor visas, IRCC has made progress, but challenges remain:
- Total Temporary Residency Applications: 947,200
- Applications Processed Within Service Standards: 532,700 (56%)
- Applications in Backlog: 414,500 (44%)
Specifically, visitor visas have the highest percentage of applications in the backlog, with 65% of these applications still pending, compared to a target backlog of 50%. For study permits, 45% remain in backlog, though the projected backlog has decreased to 24%. Work permits have seen significant improvements, with only 34% of applications still in the backlog — the lowest figure since July 2023.
Citizenship Applications
Citizenship applications continue to be processed efficiently, with only 18% of applications in backlog as of February 28, 2025. This remains well within the department’s target for citizenship application processing.
- Total Citizenship Applications: 239,600
- Applications Processed Within Service Standards: 196,900 (82%)
- Applications in Backlog: 18%
Measures to Reduce the Immigration Backlog
Several key measures have contributed to the ongoing reduction of the immigration backlog. These include:
- Technological Enhancements: The IRCC has introduced advanced analytics and automation to improve processing times. These technologies assist in sorting applications, identifying those requiring additional checks, and making routine decisions faster.
- Application Caps: By implementing caps on certain programs, such as study permits, the department has been able to better manage the volume of applications and prevent backlogs from growing.
- Lower Immigration Targets: The Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27, which was released in October 2024, includes a reduction in permanent residence (PR) admission targets for the next three years. This allows IRCC to more effectively manage its inventory and prioritize applications that meet urgent needs.
Outlook for the Future
As the IRCC continues to implement these measures, the reduction in backlogs is expected to continue in the coming months. The department’s goal of processing 80% of all applications within service standards remains a primary focus, with efforts aimed at addressing more complex cases and those requiring additional processing time.
Conclusion
The IRCC’s ongoing efforts to reduce the immigration application backlog are showing tangible results. With continued technological advancements, more efficient management of application volumes, and lower immigration targets, the department is on track to clear its backlog and process applications in a more timely manner.
The improvements made by IRCC in the past few months signal a positive trend for applicants who have been waiting for their immigration decisions and for those considering applying in the future.
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