Is Immigration Getting Easier? Explore IRCC’s Backlog and Processing Changes

As of November 30, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported a notable decrease in its backlog. The number of applications in the backlog dropped to 1,006,500, marking a 4.7% reduction from 1,056,100 applications on October 31.

The overall inventory of applications also saw a decline, falling from 2,406,000 at the end of October to 2,267,700 by the end of November. While the backlog numbers improved, the total number of applications processed within service standards stood at 1,261,200.

Defining the Backlog

IRCC uses specific benchmarks for processing times, considering an application part of the backlog if it exceeds these timelines.

• Target Standards: IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within service standards, leaving 20% to account for complex cases.
• Contributing Factors: High application volumes or unexpected complexities can extend processing times in some categories.

Permanent Residence Applications

By November 30, IRCC had 828,600 applications for permanent residence, with 318,000 in the backlog—a slight increase from October’s 311,100. Key updates include:

• Express Entry Programs: The backlog for Express Entry fell to 18%, down from 19% in October but remains above the projected 15%.
• Express Entry-Aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): The backlog reduced to 24%, slightly above the target of 20%.
• Family Sponsorship (Spouses, Partners, and Children): Backlog dropped to 14%, below the projected 15%.

Temporary Residence Applications

Temporary residence applications showed mixed results:

• Total Applications: Of 1,212,000 temporary residence applications, 649,400 (54%) were in the backlog.
• Visitor Visas: 75% of visitor visa applications remain in backlog, the highest percentage since reporting began in January 2022.
• Study Permits: 36% of applications are backlogged.
• Work Permits: 51% of applications are in backlog.

Citizenship Applications

Citizenship applications maintained consistently low backlog levels.

• Total Applications: 227,100 citizenship applications were in process as of November 30, with 39,100 in the backlog (17%).
• Stability: This percentage matches the previous month, reflecting consistent processing times.

IRCC’s Measures to Address the Backlog

To tackle the backlog, IRCC has implemented several strategies:

1. Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27: Announced in October 2024, this plan reduces permanent resident admission targets while setting new goals for temporary resident admissions.
2. Paused Sponsorship Applications: No new parent or grandparent sponsorship applications will be accepted in 2025, allowing focus on processing existing cases.
3. Enhanced Processing: Prioritizing essential worker applications and leveraging advanced analytics to expedite spousal and partner sponsorships under the family class.

These measures aim to streamline the processing of applications and achieve a sustainable balance between new admissions and inventory management.

This update highlights IRCC’s progress and ongoing efforts to reduce its application backlog while adapting to changing immigration priorities.