Immigration Announcement
IRCC Backlog Rises Again by 76,000 in May 2025 After Months of Decline
Canada’s immigration backlog has risen again, for the first time in seven months. As of May 31, 2025, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported 802,000 applications in its backlog. That’s a 5.5% increase from April’s total of 760,200. While this is not an extreme spike, it’s enough to signal that the path toward faster processing may have hit a temporary roadblock. This sudden shift also comes after a consistent downward trend since October 2024.
Let’s take a closer look at what this means for applicants and how it affects Canada’s immigration system moving forward.
IRCC Backlog Trends: What the Numbers Reveal
Below is a breakdown of the backlog over the last six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change From Previous Month |
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 891,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
| March 2025 | 779,900 | -5.03% |
| April 2025 | 760,200 | -2.53% |
| May 2025 | 802,000 | +5.5% |
While overall inventories still exceed 2.1 million applications, around 1.3 million are being processed within IRCC’s published service standards.
What Counts as a Backlog?
To clarify, an application is considered backlogged if not finalized within IRCC’s target timelines.
- Express Entry: Target is 6 months
- Family Sponsorship: Target is 12 months
- Work Permits/Study Permits: Varies by category
IRCC aims to process 80% of all applications within these service windows. However, delays often arise with complex cases or missing documentation.
Permanent Residency Applications: A Mixed Picture
As of May 2025:
- Total PR applications: 897,900
- Processed within service standards: 495,500 (55%)
- Backlog: 402,400
Breakdown by category:
- Express Entry backlog: 18%
- PNP (Express Entry-linked): Holding at 49% backlog
- Family sponsorship backlog: Steady at 14%, under the 15% internal threshold
Though the PNP backlog has remained high for months, family reunification efforts remain relatively stable and within target.
Temporary Residents: Work Permits Remain a Bottleneck
Temporary Resident (TR) programs have their own backlog challenges.
As of May 2025:
- Total TR applications in inventory: 973,300
- Processed within service standards: 620,000 (64%)
- Backlogged: 353,300
Here’s how it breaks down further:
- Work permits: 38% backlog (target was 23%)
- Study permits: 23% backlog (improved from 30% in April)
- Visitor visas: 54% backlog (unchanged from April)
Notably, the study permit category showed some positive movement, while visitor visa wait times remain a concern.
Citizenship Applications: On Target
Citizenship processing has remained stable.
- Citizenship grant backlog (May 2025): 19%
- Same as April and within IRCC’s target
What’s Being Done to Tackle the IRCC Backlog?
IRCC has been rolling out tech-driven solutions to speed things up.
Key measures include:
- Use of advanced analytics to sort applications
- Automation for identifying complex cases
- AI-based summarization tools to assist officers
In addition, the recently revised Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 includes a temporary reduction in permanent resident admissions, giving the department breathing room to process existing applications.
IRCC Backlog Still in Focus as Canada Balances Demand
Though May brought a slight rise in the IRCC backlog, the overall picture is still one of gradual progress. With the use of digital tools and evolving immigration targets, the department appears committed to improving timelines, even if there are occasional bumps along the way. The IRCC backlog remains a key metric for Canada’s immigration health, and keeping a close watch on processing trends will be crucial for applicants planning their next steps. If you’re preparing to apply, make sure your documentation is strong and up to date. In a system this busy, small delays can lead to longer waits.
