Canada’s Immigration Backlog Continues to Improve: Inventory Drops to 892,000 in the First Month of 2025
Total Backlog Stays Below One Million for Two Consecutive Months
According to data released by IRCC on January 31, 2025, the total immigration backlog stood at 892,000 cases, down 5.33% from 942,000 at the end of December 2024. Since August 2024, the backlog has decreased by a total of 17.3%. During the same period, IRCC’s total inventory of applications fell from 2.119 million to 2.076 million, with the number of applications processed within service standards increasing from 1.177 million to 1.184 million.
Definition and Classification of Backlogs
IRCC defines a “backlog” as applications that exceed its published service standards. For example, Express Entry applications exceeding six months and family sponsorship applications exceeding 12 months are considered backlogged. The latest data shows significant differences across application categories.
Permanent Resident Programs: Surge in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Backlogs
As of the end of January 2025, there were 839,000 permanent residence applications, with 58% processed within service standards and a backlog rate of 42%.
- Express Entry: 20% of applications exceeded processing time limits (80% still met the six-month processing target).
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP, Express Entry stream): The backlog rate increased from 25% in December 2024 to 30%.
- Family Sponsorship: The backlog rate remained stable at 15%, aligning with expectations.
Temporary Resident Programs: Visitor Visa Backlog Hits 71%
Among 998,000 temporary resident applications, only 504,000 (51%) were processed on time, leaving a backlog of 493,000 cases. There were stark differences across categories:
- Visitor visas: 71% of applications were backlogged, 9 percentage points above expectations.
- Study permits: The backlog rate increased from 43% to 45%.
- Work permits: The backlog rate dropped sharply from 57% to 42%, indicating a significant improvement in processing efficiency.
Citizenship Applications: 82% Processed on Time
Among 238,000 citizenship applications, 82% met service standards, with a backlog rate of just 18%—the lowest among all categories.
Policy Adjustments and Potential Challenges
To further address backlog issues, the Canadian government released the 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan in October 2024, which aims to reduce permanent residence intake targets over the next three years and set caps on certain immigration programs.
At the beginning of 2025, the government implemented intake caps for study permits and permanent residence applications under the Agri-Food Pilot; the latter has already reached its annual quota and is no longer accepting new applications. Additionally, IRCC has announced plans to cut approximately 3,300 jobs over the next three years, raising concerns about processing efficiency and potential delays. Balancing process optimization and human resource adjustments will be a key challenge for Canada’s future immigration management.
- Study permit application caps for 2025
- Permanent residence application limits under the Agri-Food Pilot
- Planned reduction of approximately 3,300 jobs over the next three years
Conclusion
IRCC has recently made progress in reducing application volumes and improving processing efficiency, but key areas such as PNP, visitor visas, and study permits continue to face significant pressure. Moving forward, how the Canadian government manages both job cuts and lower immigration targets will directly impact immigration and study permit processing efficiency as well as applicant experience.
Canada's Express Entry Conducts New Draw, Targeting PNP Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new draw through the Express Entry system on April 28, 2025. This draw was specific to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and issued 421 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. Invited candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727 and needed to have created their Express Entry profile before a specific timestamp on September 9, 2024. This marks the second PNP draw this month and contributes to the 31,929 ITAs issued through the Express Entry system in 2025 thus far.
04/29/2025
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Issues 165 Invitations in Recent Draws Across Four Streams
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted multiple invitation rounds through four of its targeted immigration streams between April 11 and 22, 2025. A total of 165 invitations were issued to prospective immigration candidates in these draws, primarily targeting individuals with relevant work experience capable of filling key labour gaps in Alberta's economy. Notable aspects of this recent draw activity include the first selection under the Tourism and Hospitality stream and the first "general" draw under the Alberta Opportunity stream in 2025.
04/29/2025
BC Halts New Immigration Streams for International Graduates; Other PR Pathways Essential Amidst Policy Shift
International graduates who had pinned their hopes on the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) graduate streams for obtaining Canadian permanent resident status are now facing significant challenges. The BC PNP has closed its previous International Graduate and International Post-Graduate streams and has indefinitely suspended the opening of three new graduate streams that were planned for 2025. This major shift is primarily a result of the federal government's substantial reduction in BC's provincial nomination allocation for 2025, compounded by a large backlog of existing applications. With the closure of the BC PNP graduate pathways, international graduates currently in BC must now actively explore other economic immigration avenues available across Canada, including the Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry, federal pilot programs, and Provincial Nominee Programs in other provinces.
04/27/2025
Unconstitutional Clause in Canada's Citizenship Act Amendment: Court Grants Another Extension Until November 20
A clause in Canada's Citizenship Act known as the "First Generation Limit" (FGL), which restricts the automatic acquisition of Canadian citizenship for children born abroad to Canadian citizens, has been ruled unconstitutional by the court. Although the federal government is required to make amendments, the legislative process has been slow. On April 22, 2025, the Ontario Superior Court once again approved the government's request for an extension, setting the final deadline for amendment at November 20, 2025. In her ruling, the judge acknowledged the ongoing harm caused by the unconstitutional law to those affected and explicitly expressed the expectation that the incoming government, once formed, will prioritize this legislation to rectify the unconstitutional situation as quickly as possible.
04/25/2025
Canada's 2025 Election Approaches: In-Depth Analysis of Liberal and Conservative Immigration Policy Stances
As Canada's 2025 federal election draws near, immigration issues are once again taking center stage in public discourse and political debate. Against the backdrop of widespread concerns about housing affordability, pressure on social services, and labour market demands, the two major political parties – the incumbent Liberal Party and the main opposition Conservative Party – have recently unveiled their campaign platforms and leaders' statements, clearly outlining their potential future immigration trajectories. This report, presented as a professional immigration news piece, aims to dissect and contrast the different policy approaches demonstrated by the two parties across key areas such as permanent resident admission targets, temporary resident management, economic immigration, refugee and asylum processing, and border security, providing readers with a clear comparison of their policy blueprints to better understand their potential impacts.
04/25/2025
Prince Edward Island PNP Holds Fourth Draw of the Year: Focus on High-Demand Local Talent
On April 17, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its fourth draw of the year through the Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), issuing a total of 168 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This draw prioritized applicants who have been working in the province for at least one year, particularly those employed in healthcare, trades, and manufacturing sectors. Additional priority was given to international graduates from designated institutions. So far in 2025, PEI has issued a total of 401 invitations through its PNP, all from the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams.
04/24/2025
Alberta Conducts Three Targeted PNP Draws in Early April, Inviting 81 Healthcare Professionals
Between April 1st and 8th, 2025, Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) initiated three consecutive draws, specifically targeting and inviting 81 healthcare professionals through three distinct immigration streams. This recruitment effort utilized both Express Entry and non-Express Entry pathways, featuring significantly lower minimum scores compared to regular program streams. Notably, the non-Express Entry healthcare stream saw a minimum score of just 53, reportedly the lowest for an Alberta PNP draw in nearly two years. Policy details cover 9 in-demand healthcare occupations, requiring applicants to meet both professional licensing and language proficiency standards.
04/23/2025
In-Depth Analysis of Canadian Citizenship Application Delay Pitfalls: How to Efficiently Avoid Three Major Risks
For many permanent residents in Canada, obtaining citizenship is the final chapter in achieving the "Canadian Dream." However, potential "minefields" in the application process cannot be ignored. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that incomplete application materials, missed crucial appointments, and issues related to inadmissibility are the three main reasons applications shift from "routine" to "complex," encountering lengthy delays. This report will deeply analyze these common obstacles and provide professional advice on mitigating risks and accelerating the processing timeline.
04/22/2025
Losing Your Canadian PR Card Abroad? Your Essential Document Application Guide for Returning to Canada
As a Canadian permanent resident, your PR card is the official document confirming your status, and it's crucial if you plan to return to Canada by commercial transportation after traveling abroad. If your PR card is lost or stolen while outside Canada, you will face difficulties re-entering unless you have a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). This article provides a professional breakdown of how to apply for a PRTD through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), detailing the application process, conditions for urgent processing, and specific rules for entering via land borders, aiming to offer clear, expert guidance for permanent residents in this situation.
04/22/2025
British Columbia Issues New Entrepreneur Immigration Invitations via PNP Base Stream
On April 15, 2025, British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its third Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream draw of the year. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination were issued to 5 candidates, with the minimum required score set at 115. This draw strictly adheres to the province's 2025 policy standards, requiring applicants to possess significant net worth, make substantial direct investments, and commit to creating local jobs. The concurrent Regional Entrepreneur stream, guided by policy incentives favouring specific communities, signals BC's strategic shift towards aligning immigration with regional economic goals.
04/21/2025
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