Last Updated On 28 January 2025, 8:58 AM EST (Toronto Time)

New IRCC Update: Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the latest data on processing inventory on January 27, 2025, showing a significant reduction in the immigration application backlog.

As the calendar turned to 2025, the IRCC managed to decrease the backlog by a stunning 64,200 applications from November 2024 to December 2024, highlighting a proactive approach to one of the country’s most pressing administrative challenges.

Canada, known for its welcoming immigration policies, has long grappled with the balance of processing speed versus the influx of applications.

As of the last day of 2024, the total number of applications under processing dipped to 2,119,900 from 2,267,700 just a month prior.

Do you know why this data is fascinating? Because Canada already had 836,900 permanent residency applications under processing on December 31, 2024, which is enough to meet the official target of welcoming a total of 7,75,000 permanent residents in 2025 and 2026 together.

This drop in backlog from 1,006,500 to 942,300 applications marks a pivotal moment in managing the volume of immigration applications.

Breakdown of Canada’s Immigration Backlog Data

Application Type	Applications in Backlog (December 31, 2024)	Applications in Backlog (Nov 30, 2024)	Month-on-Month Change
Citizenship	40,600	39,100	+3.84%
Permanent Residency	344,700	318,000	+8.4%
Temporary Residency	557,000	649,400	-14.23%
Total	942,300	1,006,500	-6.4%

Citizenship Applications: The backlog here slightly increased by 3.84% to 40,600 applications, reflecting a rise in new applications.

Permanent Residency Applications: These saw an 8.4% increase to 344,700 in backlog, suggesting that despite the overall decrease, some categories remain under pressure.

Temporary Residency Applications: A significant reduction of 14.23% brought the backlog down to 557,000, showcasing IRCC’s focus on managing high-demand categories like work and study permits.

This nuanced data reflects both the challenges and the progress within Canada’s immigration system, aiming to process 80% of applications within set service standards.

Applications Under Processing Within Service Standards

IRCC’s service standards are crucial benchmarks for processing times, with everything exceeding these standards classified as backlog.

Application Type	Within Service Standards (December 31, 2024)	Within Service Standards (Nov 30, 2024)	Month-on-Month Change
Citizenship	191,600	188,000	+1.19%
Permanent Residency	492,200	510,600	-3.6%
Temporary Residency	493,800	562,600	-12.22%
Total	1,177,600	1,261,200	-6.63%

Here’s how the numbers stack up:

Citizenship: A modest increase in applications processed within standards by 1.19%, indicating a consistent flow of new citizenship applications.

Permanent Residency: A slight decline by 3.6% in applications meeting standards, hinting at complexities or increased scrutiny perhaps.

Temporary Residency: A sharp drop of 12.22% in applications processed within standards, likely influenced by policy changes aimed at capping temporary entries.

New IRCC Update On Backlog Projections For 2025

The IRCC is actively moving forward with its targeted projections for 2025.

Citizenship: The backlog is expected to hover around 17%, with a slight improvement anticipated.

Express Entry and PNP: Both categories are projected to maintain a 20% backlog, aiming for stability in processing times.

Spousal Sponsorship: Expected to maintain a steady 15% backlog.

Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs): Despite the current 75% backlog, a significant reduction to 50% is projected by February 2025, showing a strong intent to manage this category.

Study and Work Permits: Both are set to see a decrease in backlog, aiming for 24% and 32% respectively, aligning with efforts to bolster Canada’s educational and workforce sectors.

Strategic Moves by IRCC

To achieve these projections, IRCC is employing various strategies:

Workforce Management: The decision to reduce staff by 3,300 could be seen as a strategic move to streamline operations, focusing on efficiency over volume.
Policy Adjustments: Caps on temporary resident applications and possibly more stringent criteria to manage demand.
Technology and Automation: Leveraging digital solutions to handle straightforward applications, freeing up human resources for complex cases.
Seasonal Management: Planning for increased processing capacity during peak application seasons.

In conclusion, this historic reduction in Canada’s immigration backlog not only signals a potential shift in how Canada manages its immigration influx but also offers a beacon of hope for those entangled in the waiting game of their Canadian dream.

The IRCC’s strategic foresight could redefine Canada’s position as a leader in immigration policy and execution, making it an exciting time for potential new Canadians.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.