Canada’s immigration backlog has fallen to 821,200 as of March 2025, a 7.95% decrease from January’s 892,100. This marks the third straight month the backlog has stayed below one million, signaling enhanced processing efforts by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). TravelBiz reports that, as of February 2025, 2,029,400 applications were in progress, with 1,208,200 meeting IRCC’s service standards.
Immigration Application Processing Times
The IRCC handles applications across categories like Express Entry (six-month target) and family sponsorships (12-month target), aiming to process 80% within these timelines. The remaining 20% face delays due to complexities or additional requirements, influencing overall backlog trends.
Backlog Sees Steady Decline Since September 2024
The immigration backlog has been shrinking consistently:
- September 2024: 1,097,000 (up 1.73% from August)
- October 2024: 1,056,100 (down 3.73%)
- November 2024: 1,006,500 (down 4.70%)
- December 2024: 942,300 (down 6.38%)
- January 2025: 892,100 (down 5.33%)
- February 2025: 821,200 (down 7.95%)
February’s nearly 8% drop highlights significant progress in IRCC’s processing capacity.
Permanent and Temporary Resident Backlog Breakdown
In February 2025, IRCC processed 842,600 permanent residence applications:
- 478,600 (57%) met service standards
- 364,000 remained backlogged
Express Entry delays hit 25%, exceeding the 20% threshold. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) backlog climbed to 36% from 30%, while family sponsorships improved slightly, dropping from 15% to 14%. Visitor visas faced a 65% backlog, study permits 45%, and work permits a low of 34%—the smallest since July 2023.
IRCC’s Backlog Reduction Strategies
IRCC has rolled out key measures:
- Automation: Over 80% of visitor visa applications use automated systems, bolstered by AI analytics.
- Study Permit Limits: A 35% cut for 2024 caps permits at 360,000.
- Stable Targets: The 2025–2027 plan aims for 485,000 permanent residents in 2025 and 500,000 annually in 2026–2027, aiding predictability.
Impact on Applicants
Faster processing times are easing transitions for travelers, students, and immigrants. However, persistent delays in visitor visas and study permits mean applicants should plan ahead. IRCC’s efficiency gains through automation and caps are promising, but challenges remain in certain categories.
