Immigration Announcement
Canada Immigration Backlog Drops by Over 64,000 Applications
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made significant strides in tackling its immigration backlog, reducing the number of pending applications by an impressive 64,200 between November and December 2024. This development highlights a positive shift for individuals seeking permanent residency, citizenship, and temporary residency in Canada.
Canada’s Immigration Backlog Sees Major Reduction
Canada’s immigration system has long faced challenges in processing applications efficiently. However, as of December 31, 2024, the total number of applications under processing dropped to 2,119,900 from 2,267,700 in just one month.
This decrease is particularly significant given that 836,900 permanent residency applications were still under processing, aligning with the government’s goal of welcoming 775,000 new permanent residents in 2025 and 2026 combined. The backlog decline from 1,006,500 to 942,300 applications marks a critical step in improving processing times.
Breakdown of Canada’s Immigration Backlog
Below is a detailed comparison of backlog numbers across various immigration categories:
| Application Type | Applications in Backlog (Dec 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: Increased by 3.84%, reaching 40,600. This reflects a steady demand for Canadian citizenship.
- Permanent Residency Applications: Rose by 8.4%, signaling a continued push for new immigrants despite the overall backlog reduction.
- Temporary Residency Applications: Saw the most notable decline, dropping 14.23%, showing IRCC’s focus on prioritizing work and study permits.
Processing Times Within Service Standards
IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within specified service standards. Any application exceeding these timelines is classified as part of the backlog.
| Application Type | Within Service Standards (Dec 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% |
- Citizenship: Processing improved slightly, with a 1.19% increase in applications handled within service standards.
- Permanent Residency: A minor decline of 3.6% suggests ongoing refinements in processing.
- Temporary Residency: The sharpest drop at 12.22% indicates efforts to better manage temporary resident visas (TRVs), study permits, and work permits.
Projected Backlog Reduction for 2025
IRCC is actively implementing strategies to further reduce backlog numbers in 2025. Key projections include:
- Citizenship – Expected to maintain a backlog of around 17%, with steady improvements anticipated.
- Express Entry & PNP – Forecasted to have a 20% backlog, with a focus on maintaining faster processing times.
- Spousal Sponsorship – Estimated to keep backlog levels at 15%.
- Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) – The current 75% backlog is expected to drop to 50% by February 2025.
- Study & Work Permits – Backlog rates are projected to decline to 24% and 32% respectively, aligning with Canada’s goals of boosting its labor market and education sector.
IRCC’s Strategic Measures to Improve Processing
To meet its backlog reduction goals, IRCC has outlined several key strategies:
- IRCC has reduced its staff by 3,300 to streamline processing and improve efficiency.
- A cap on temporary resident applications is being enforced to manage intake more effectively.
- Increased automation is helping to expedite straightforward applications while allowing officials to focus on complex cases.
- IRCC is allocating additional resources to handle peak application periods more efficiently.
This significant reduction in Canada’s immigration backlog signals a positive shift for applicants seeking permanent and temporary residency. With ongoing strategic improvements, IRCC aims to enhance processing efficiency, making it easier for individuals to move forward with their Canadian immigration journey.
As 2025 unfolds, these proactive measures could redefine how Canada manages its immigration system, ensuring smoother and faster application outcomes for future newcomers.
