Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has made further progress in reducing its application backlog. As of January 31, 2025, the total number of backlog applications stood at 892,100—marking the second consecutive month the figure has remained under one million.
This number reflects a 5.33% decrease from December 31, 2024, when the backlog was 942,300. Over the past six months, the backlog has steadily declined from a peak of over 1.09 million in September 2024. The positive trend suggests improved processing efficiency and a move toward meeting IRCC’s service standards.
Month-over-month figures reinforce this progress:
– August 31, 2024: 1,078,300 applications
– September 30, 2024: 1,097,000
– October 31, 2024: 1,056,100
– November 30, 2024: 1,006,500
– December 31, 2024: 942,300
– January 31, 2025: 892,100
In addition to reducing the backlog, IRCC has also seen a decrease in its overall application inventory. Total applications—both within and outside service standards—dropped from 2,119,900 at the end of December to 2,076,600 by the end of January.
Furthermore, the number of files processed within IRCC’s service standards rose slightly to 1,184,500 in January, up from 1,177,600 the previous month. This continuing improvement could signal stronger resource allocation and system efficiency within the department.
By definition, any application not processed within IRCC’s published service standards falls into the backlog. These standards vary by immigration program—for example, Express Entry applications are intended to be processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications have a 12-month service standard.
The continued reduction of the backlog is crucial as Canada aims to welcome a growing number of newcomers to support its labor market and population growth goals. Stakeholders—including immigrants, sponsors, and employers—stand to benefit from faster processing times and greater predictability in application outcomes.
Maple News will continue tracking these trends as IRCC works toward its long-term goals of streamlining the immigration system for both economic and humanitarian streams.