Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration backlog has grown for the first time since October 2024, according to new data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
As of May 31, 2025, there were 802,000 applications classified as backlogged—an increase of 5.5% compared to 760,200 in April. This marks a reversal of a consistent downward trend observed over the past six months.
From December 2024 through April 2025, IRCC had successfully reduced its backlog by over 180,000 applications, bringing the total from 942,300 to 760,200. The sudden rise in May signals renewed pressure on Canada’s immigration processing system amid high demand.
Overall, IRCC is currently managing 2,117,800 applications across all immigration categories. Of these, approximately 1.3 million (1,315,800) are being processed within IRCC’s published service standards. Applications exceeding those timelines are considered part of the backlog.
Service standards vary by immigration stream. For instance, Express Entry applications are expected to be processed within six months, while family sponsorship takes up to 12 months. When IRCC falls short of these targets, applications awaiting decisions are added to the backlog count.
Although the increase may raise concerns for applicants, it is important to note that fluctuations in processing volumes and application intake can occur seasonally or due to operational shifts. Moreover, IRCC continues to modernize its operations and invest in digitization to streamline workflows and reduce delays.
For applicants awaiting decisions, understanding where their applications stand—within or beyond service standards—can offer better clarity on expected timelines.
Maple News will continue monitoring and reporting developments on Canada’s immigration processing trends, including updates to backlog figures and program-specific performance.