Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made notable progress in addressing its immigration backlog. As of December 31, 2024, the number of applications awaiting processing dropped to 942,300 — the first time the backlog has dipped below the one million mark since June of the same year.
This represents a 6.38% decrease from the 1,006,500 pending applications recorded at the end of November 2024. The last time the backlog was this low was on June 30, 2024, when it stood at 936,600.
IRCC categorizes applications as part of the backlog when they are not processed within standard timelines — for instance, six months for Express Entry applications and 12 months for family sponsorships. The drop suggests increased efficiency in processing times and possibly a response to growing concerns over delays in Canada’s immigration system.
In addition to the backlog reduction, total application inventory across all immigration streams also saw a decline. By the end of December 2024, IRCC was handling 2,119,900 applications, compared to 2,267,700 a month earlier.
However, the number of applications being processed within regular service standards also saw a slight drop, from 1,261,200 in November to 1,177,600 in December. This could indicate that while IRCC is clearing overdue cases, new applications may be temporarily taking longer than usual.
The decline in backlog numbers follows a months-long surge that peaked in September, when pending applications reached 1,097,000. Fluctuations in the backlog during the second half of 2024 were a source of concern for applicants, immigration professionals, and Canadian employers seeking timely approvals.
Maple News notes that this reduction marks a positive step forward in improving overall processing efficiency, reducing wait times, and restoring confidence in Canada’s immigration system. Still, stakeholders will be watching closely in the coming months to see whether this downward trend continues or stabilizes.
IRCC’s ongoing challenge is to balance high volumes of applications with processing capacity — especially as Canada continues to implement ambitious immigration targets aimed at addressing labour market needs and population growth.
For those tracking application timelines or considering applying to immigrate, it is important to monitor both inventory levels and the number of applications processed within service standards, as both indicators shape the real experience of immigrants navigating Canada’s systems.