IRCC Backlog Drops Again: Latest Update on Application Processing as of April 2025

As of April 30, 2025, the backlog stood at 760,200 applications, down from 779,900 the month before. This marks a 2.53% decrease in one month and the fifth consecutive month that the backlog has remained under 1 million. It’s also the lowest backlog recorded in the past six months.

Monthly Backlog Trends (Last Six Months)

Meanwhile, the total inventory of applications (both backlogged and within processing standards) increased by 65,100, rising to 2,041,800 by the end of April.

What Counts as a Backlog?

IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within their official service standards. These standards differ by program:

• Express Entry: 6 months
• Family Sponsorship: 12 months
  
  

If an application takes longer than the published timeframe, it is categorized as a backlogged application. IRCC allows for 20% of cases to exceed the timelines, mainly due to complex documentation or individual circumstances.

Permanent Residence Applications

As of April 30, 2025, there were 880,800 PR applications in total:

• 489,800 applications (56%) were processed within the service standards
• 391,000 applications remained in the backlog

Here’s how different PR streams performed:

• Express Entry: 22% were backlogged (target was 20%)
• PNP via Express Entry: 49% backlog vs 35% target
  (higher than the 44% backlog and 30% target in March)
• Family Sponsorship: 14% backlog vs 15% target
  (remains within acceptable range)

Temporary Residence Applications

By the end of April, there were 918,500 temporary residence (TR) applications (work permits, study permits, and visitor visas):

• 65% processed within IRCC timelines
• 324,300 were in the backlog

Here's a breakdown:

• Work Permits: 36% backlogged (down from 42% in March), but still above the 26% target
• Study Permits: 30% backlogged (improved from 37% in March), though the target was 15%
• Visitor Visas: 54% backlogged, with a 38% target
  (this was a 4% improvement from March)

Canadian Citizenship Applications

Citizenship applications continued to show strong performance:

• Total applications: 242,500
• 81% processed within service standards
• Only 19% (44,900) were backlogged

This is consistent with previous trends. In March 2025, the backlog was 18%.

What’s Helping IRCC Reduce the Backlog?

Several initiatives are supporting the drop in backlog:

1. Technology and Automation: IRCC is using advanced analytics and automation tools to help sort applications and flag complex cases—improving efficiency without replacing human decision-makers.
2. Application Caps: Programs like the 2025 Study Permit Cap (550,162 applications) and the Home Care Worker Pilots (5,500 applications) have capped entries to manage volume.
3. Updated Immigration Levels Plan: The 2025–2027 plan, released in October 2024, lowers permanent residence targets, helping control incoming applications and allowing more focus on pending files.

Conclusion

IRCC continues to make headway in reducing application backlogs across most categories, with notable improvements in work and study permit processing. However, certain areas like PNP and visitor visas still exceed projected targets. As new caps and technologies take effect, applicants may see faster processing times in the months ahead.