Canada’s Immigration Backlog Drops Below One Million: What It Means for Applicants
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) backlog has finally dropped below one million applications, marking a significant milestone in immigration processing. As of December 31, 2024, IRCC reported 942,300 pending applications, a 6.38% decrease from the previous month’s 1,006,500 applications.
IRCC Immigration Backlog Trends
For the first time since June 2024, the backlog has fallen below one million. Here’s a look at the monthly backlog trends:
| Month | Immigration Backlog |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2024 | 936,600 |
| July 31, 2024 | 1,002,400 |
| August 31, 2024 | 1,078,300 |
| September 30, 2024 | 1,097,000 |
| October 31, 2024 | 1,056,100 |
| November 30, 2024 | 1,006,500 |
| December 31, 2024 | 942,300 |
The overall inventory of applications has also decreased. As of December 31, 2024, there were 2,119,900 applications, down from 2,267,700 in November.
What is Considered a Backlog?
Applications are classified as backlog when they exceed IRCC’s standard processing timelines. These service standards vary by application type:
- Express Entry: 6 months
- Family Sponsorship: 12 months
Current Backlog Breakdown
Permanent Residency Applications
IRCC currently has 836,900 permanent residency applications in process. Of these, 59% (492,200) are within service standards, leaving a backlog of 344,700 applications.
- Express Entry backlog: 18% (meeting IRCC’s goal of 80% processing within six months)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) backlog: Increased to 25% from 24% in November
- Family Sponsorship backlog: Stable at 15%
Temporary Resident Applications
Temporary resident applications—including work permits, study permits, and visitor visas—have the highest backlog rates. Only 47% of applications met service standards, leaving 557,000 applications in backlog.
- Visitor Visa backlog: 75% (exceeding the projected 61%)
- Study Permit backlog: 43% (up from 36% in November, exceeding the projected 26%)
- Work Permit backlog: 57% (up from 51%, surpassing the projected 40%)
Citizenship Applications
The citizenship application backlog remains relatively low. Out of 232,300 applications:
- 191,600 (83%) are within service standards
- Only 17% are considered backlog
IRCC’s Measures to Reduce the Backlog
To manage and reduce the backlog, IRCC has implemented several strategies:
- Lower Immigration Targets: The Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27 aims to reduce permanent resident admissions, potentially easing processing demands.
- Workforce Reductions: IRCC announced 3,300 job cuts over the next three years to align with lower immigration targets.
- Suspension of Parent & Grandparent Sponsorships: No new invitations to apply for parent and grandparent sponsorship will be issued in 2025.
- Automation & Analytics: Advanced technology is being used to improve processing efficiency, particularly for family class applications.
- Priority Processing for Essential Workers: IRCC continues to prioritize applications for essential occupations.
What This Means for Applicants
With the backlog decreasing, some applicants may see faster processing times. However, temporary resident visa (TRV) applicants, work permit holders, and students may continue to experience delays due to higher-than-expected backlogs. The impact of job cuts on processing speed remains uncertain.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada, staying updated on IRCC processing trends and checking your application status regularly can help navigate the system efficiently.
