Canada’s immigration backlog is steadily decreasing, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processing applications more efficiently. As of March 2025, the backlog stands at 821,200, marking a 7.95% decline from 892,100 in January. This marks the third consecutive month where the backlog has remained below one million.
The total number of immigration applications across all categories reached 2,029,400 by the end of February. Of these, 1,208,200 were processed within IRCC’s set service standards.
What Qualifies as an Immigration Backlog?
IRCC considers an application backlogged if processing exceeds the department’s service standard:
- Express Entry applications: The Expected processing time is six months.
- Family sponsorship applications: Expected processing time is 12 months.
IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within these timelines. The remaining 20% may take longer due to complexity or additional requirements.
Immigration Backlog Trends Over Six Months
Canada’s immigration backlog has steadily decreased since September 2024, dropping from over 1 million to 821,200 by February 2025. This decline reflects improved processing speeds at IRCC.
| Month | Backlog Count | Monthly Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
This steady decline indicates improved efficiency in processing applications.
Permanent Residence Application Backlog
At the end of February, IRCC had 842,600 permanent residence applications in process, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship.
- 478,600 applications (57%) were processed within service standards.
- 364,000 applications remained in the backlog.
Express Entry & PNP Backlog
Express Entry delays remain high at 25%, exceeding the 20% threshold. The PNP backlog rose to 36%, while the family sponsorship backlog improved slightly from 15% to 14%.
- 25% of Express Entry applications were delayed—above the 20% threshold.
- 36% of Express Entry-aligned PNP applications were in backlog, increasing from 30% in January.
- The family sponsorship backlog slightly improved, dropping from 15% in January to 14% in February.
Temporary Resident Applications: High Backlog in Visitor Visas
Visitor visas face the highest backlog at 65%, exceeding IRCC’s target of 50%. Study permits and work permits also have delays, though work permits show the lowest backlog since July 2023.
| Application Type | Backlog Rate (%) | IRCC Target (%) |
| Visitor Visas | 65% | 50% |
| Study Permits | 45% | 24% |
| Work Permits | 34% | Lowest since July 2023 |
While work permits saw the least delays, visitor visas faced significant backlogs.
Citizenship Applications: Least Affected by Backlogs
Out of 239,600 citizenship applications:
- 196,900 were processed on time.
- 42,700 were backlogged (18%), which remains below IRCC’s 20% threshold.
How Is IRCC Addressing the Backlog?
To manage application volumes, IRCC has implemented several strategies:
1. Automation & Digital Processing
- Over 80% of visitor visa applications now use automation for quicker processing.
- AI-driven analytics help streamline straightforward applications.
2. Study Permit Caps
- A 35% reduction in new international student permits for 2024 has helped manage workloads.
- The cap is set at 360,000 study permits for 2024.
3. Stable Immigration Targets
- Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025–27 maintains targets at:
- 485,000 permanent residents in 2025.
- 500,000 in both 2026 and 2027.
- This stability ensures better processing predictability.
What This Means for Travellers and Immigrants
The shrinking backlog translates to faster visa processing times, reduced uncertainty, and smoother transitions for those seeking to travel or immigrate to Canada. Whether you’re planning a vacation, pursuing educational opportunities, or seeking permanent residency, these improvements are a welcome development.
Final Words
IRCC’s efforts to streamline immigration processing have resulted in a significant backlog reduction. With automation, application caps, and stable immigration targets, the department aims to maintain efficient processing while ensuring timely approvals. However, visitor visas and study permits still face significant delays, making it crucial for applicants to plan ahead.
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