IRCC Backlog Sees First Monthly Increase Since October 2024
For the first time in over half a year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reported a significant increase in its backlog of immigration applications. As of May 31, 2025, there were approximately 802,000 applications classified as part of the backlog—an increase of 5.5% compared to 760,200 applications at the end of April.
This reversal in trend marks the first rise in the backlog since October 2024, after a consistent monthly decline.
Backlog Trends Over the Past Six Months
IRCC’s backlog figures over the past half-year demonstrate a period of steady improvement—until the recent surge in May:
| Month | Applications in Backlog | Change from Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 891,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
| March 2025 | 779,900 | -5.03% |
| April 2025 | 760,200 | -2.53% |
| May 2025 | 802,000 | +5.5% |
Understanding the Backlog
An immigration application is considered part of the IRCC backlog if it surpasses the department’s published service standards—the timeframes within which IRCC aims to finalize applications. For instance:
- Express Entry applications are typically processed within six months.
- Family sponsorship applications have a 12-month service standard.
Applications exceeding these timelines are designated as backlogged. While IRCC targets finalizing 80% of applications within these benchmarks, more complex cases may fall outside this goal due to the need for additional documentation or scrutiny.
Overall Inventory and Backlog Status
As of the end of May 2025, IRCC reported a total of 2,117,800 immigration applications across all categories. Of these, 1,315,800 were being processed within the expected timelines, leaving 802,000 considered backlogged.
Permanent Residence Applications
As of April 30, 2025, there were 897,900 permanent residence (PR) applications in IRCC’s system, encompassing:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) aligned with Express Entry
- Family sponsorships
Out of these, 495,500 applications (55%) were being processed on time, while 402,400 were part of the backlog.
In May 2025, the total inventory of PR applications increased by 11,400, although backlog percentages varied by stream:
- Express Entry: Approximately 18% of applications exceeded service standards.
- Express Entry-linked PNPs: The backlog percentage held steady at 49%, maintaining the peak level first reached in April.
- Family Sponsorships: The backlog remained within IRCC’s target, at 14%, slightly under the department’s internal benchmark of 15%.
Temporary Residence Applications
The backlog situation differs considerably among temporary resident programs, which include work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
As of the end of May:
- Total TR applications in queue: 973,300
- Processed within service standards: 620,000 (64%)
- Backlogged: 353,300
Breakdown by Permit Type:
- Work Permits: 38% of applications were backlogged—well above the IRCC’s projected backlog target of 23%.
- Study Permits: The backlog decreased significantly from 30% in April to 23% in May, signaling improved efficiency.
- Visitor Visas: The backlog remained unchanged at 54%, continuing to exceed acceptable thresholds.
Citizenship Applications
Backlog levels in citizenship processing remain stable. As of May 2025, 19% of citizenship grant applications were backlogged—consistent with the previous month and within acceptable limits set by IRCC.
Efforts to Improve Processing Times
IRCC continues to take steps to enhance processing efficiency and reduce the backlog. Strategies include:
- Advanced Analytics and Automation: Used to help officers sort applications, flag complex files, and summarize key information faster.
- Refined Immigration Levels Plan: The most recent plan outlines reduced targets for permanent residents, allowing IRCC to catch up on pending applications.
These measures are intended to support IRCC’s commitment to processing 80% of applications within established timelines while accommodating more complex cases as needed.
Conclusion
While the recent increase in the immigration backlog is a setback after months of progress, IRCC continues to adapt its strategies to meet demand. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these tools and policy adjustments will be sufficient to reverse this upward trend and return to steady backlog reduction.
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