Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a full update on its immigration processing inventory on May 29, 2025.
It was revealed in the new IRCC update that there has been a big rise in applications for citizenship, permanent residency and temporary residency status.
As of April 30, 2025, the total number of applications stood at 2,041,800 which is 65,100 higher than the figure reported on March 30, 2025 and a little higher than February 28, 2025, when there were 2,029,400.
IRCC succeeded in lowering its backlog—applications beyond deadline—by 19,700 from 779,900 to 760,200.
It goes through the IRCC’s latest data, highlights trends by processing category, measures monthly improvement and clarifies what this data means for applicants, persons representing clients and those interested in issues around Canadian immigration.
This article covers what these numbers may mean if you want to become a Canadian citizen, become a permanent resident or need a temporary visa for education or work in Canada.
Overall Immigration Processing Numbers: A Snapshot
IRCC had a total of 2,041,800 applications at the end of April 2025 which indicates how many people want to immigrate to, study in or work in Canada.
The additional 65,100 applications in April points to a constant rise in new applications.
Even so, the backlog going from 779,900 to 760,200 shows that IRCC has been able to streamline its work as it deals with exceptional volumes.
Key achievements from January 1 to April 30, 2025, include:
Permanent Residency: IRCC took 156,450 decisions last year and welcomed 132,100 new permanent residents, reaching Ireland’s wish for 395,000 people to become residents by the year 2025.
Citizenship: Nearly 20,000 permanent residents were officially granted Canadian citizenship during April 2025, a sign of how Canada values immigration.
Temporary Residency: The agency finished processing 194,000 study permits (including extensions) and 491,400 work permits (including extensions), confirming Canada’s standing as a place of choice for people looking to study or work.
IRCC manages to decrease the backlog and handle large numbers of cases, ensuring Canada remains popular with talented individuals worldwide.
Below, we look at the trends by categories to get a more detailed look.
IRCC’s inventory is divided into three primary categories: citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency.
Each category has its own dynamics, with unique inventory totals and backlog percentages.
Here’s an in-depth look at the April 2025 data, including comparisons with previous months and insights into processing trends.
1. Citizenship Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 242,500 applications, up from 239,400 in March 2025 and 239,600 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 44,900 applications (19% of total), an increase from 43,600 (18%) in March and 42,700 (18%) in February.
Key Insights: Citizenship applications are primarily submitted by permanent residents seeking full Canadian citizenship, a critical step toward integration into Canadian society.
As the number of applications in inventory (3,100) and backlog (1,300) slightly rose, it suggests not all applications are processed within the 12-month time frame.
Although the backlog grew slightly, it could be due to complex cases or greater demand and in comparison to other streams, citizenship is still stable.
2. Permanent Residency Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 880,800 applications, up from 852,700 in March 2025 and 842,600 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 391,000 applications (44% of total), up from 380,100 (45%) in March and 364,000 (43%) in February.
Key Insights: Permanent residency (PR) applications form the backbone of Canada’s immigration strategy, encompassing programs like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorships.
The rise in applications from March to April (up 28,100) demonstrates just how much people want to move to Canada for its excellent job opportunities and pleasant lifestyle.
The rise in backlog by 10,900 shows that more than one-third (44%) of Express Entry applications have yet to be evaluated after 6 months and about half of sponsorship applications are beyond the 12-month limit.
This proves that IRCC has made steady progress, largely processing 156,450 PR decisions already in 2025’s first four months.
With sufficient PR applications, IRCC is capable of following its immigration plans despite the greater waiting times that would happen for each application.
3. Temporary Residency Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 918,500 applications, up from 884,600 in March 2025 but down from 947,200 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 324,300 applications (35% of total), a significant reduction from 356,200 (40%) in March and 414,500 (44%) in February.
Key Insights: Temporary residency applications include study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, catering to students, workers, and visitors/tourists.
There was the largest improvement in this category, as the backlog dropped by 31,900 cases over the month.
There were 33,900 more applications in the backlog which signals high demand for study and work permits as well as for extensions by applicants currently in Canada.
The processing of so many study and work permits in such a short period shows IRCC is prioritizing reducing delays in this category.
IRCC has efficiently performed by reducing the total pending applications from 90% to 35% of the inventory.
March vs. April 2025: A Comparative Analysis
To understand IRCC’s progress, let’s compare the April 2025 data with March and February 2025.
The table below provides a detailed snapshot of inventory and backlog trends across all categories:
Category
April 2025 Total
April Backlog
April Backlog %
March 2025 Total
March Backlog
March Backlog %
February 2025 Total
February Backlog
February Backlog %
Citizenship
242,500
44,900
19%
239,400
43,600
18%
239,600
42,700
18%
Permanent Residency
880,800
391,000
44%
852,700
380,100
45%
842,600
364,000
43%
Temporary Residency
918,500
324,300
35%
884,600
356,200
40%
947,200
414,500
44%
Total Inventory
2,041,800
760,200
37.23%
1,976,700
779,900
39.45%
2,029,400
821,200
40%
Backlog vs. IRCC Service Standards: A Critical Distinction
Applicants need to know how backlog data differs from IRCC service standards to manage expectations and plan their immigration process.
What Are IRCC Service Standards?
Service standards are the target processing times set by IRCC for various application types.
These timelines represent the duration within which IRCC aims to process 80% of applications. Examples include:
Spousal Sponsorship: 12 months
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): 6 months
Study Permits: 8 weeks
Citizenship Applications: 12 months
Applications processed within these timeframes are considered part of regular processing and are not counted in the backlog.
Service standards provide applicants with a benchmark for expected wait times, though actual processing may vary based on case complexity or application volume.
What Is a Backlog?
The backlog is formed by applications that do not meet the set service standards.
If a spousal sponsorship is delayed more than 12 months or an Express Entry application lasts longer than 6 months, these cases are classified as backlogged.
Monthly updates from IRCC show how many processing delays are experienced, helping manage resources for solving bottlenecks.
In April 2025, the total backlog went down by 19,700, but the permanent residency category had an increase.
Fewer temporary residents waiting for processing shows that IRCC is prioritizing making study and work permit processing more efficient.
Implications for Applicants
The latest April 2025 information from the IRCC shows there are both issues and achievements in Canada’s immigration system.
The high number of applications, more than 2 million, proves Canada’s popularity worldwide, but the increase in permanent residency requests suggests a longer waiting time for those applying in this area.
Also, the large reduction in temporary residency waiting times brings good news for students and workers, suggesting they can get their permits processed quicker.
Aspiring immigrants should use the data to understand why it’s important to keep up to date on immigration trends. Applicants should:
Monitor IRCC Updates: Regularly check IRCC’s monthly backlog reports for the latest processing times.
Prepare Thorough Applications: Complete and accurate applications can help avoid delays.
Understand Service Standards: Align expectations with IRCC’s target timelines for your application type.
Seek Professional Guidance: Immigration consultants or lawyers can provide tailored advice for complex cases.
With more skilled workers coming to Canada, IRCC’s regular updates will always help applicants and those supporting their applications.
How well the team manages a growing inventory and backlogs will determine the experience for new applicants.
The latest info of April 2025 reveals both the high levels of demand and the IRCC’s efforts to stay on top of it.
What is the current IRCC application backlog in 2025?
As of April 30, 2025, IRCC’s total inventory is 2,041,800 applications, with a backlog of 760,200 applications exceeding service standards.
Why did Canada’s immigration backlog increase?
The backlog grew by 65,100 applications due to a surge in new applications for citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency, reflecting high global demand.
How is IRCC addressing the backlog?
IRCC reduced the backlog by 19,700, with significant progress in temporary residency (down 31,900), while processing 156,450 PR decisions and 685,400 permits in 2025.
What are IRCC service standards?
Service standards are target processing times, e.g., 6 months for Express Entry, 12 months for citizenship, and 8 weeks for study permits, aiming to process 80% of applications within these timelines.
New IRCC Update On Canada’s Immigration Backlog May 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a full update on its immigration processing inventory on May 29, 2025.
It was revealed in the new IRCC update that there has been a big rise in applications for citizenship, permanent residency and temporary residency status.
As of April 30, 2025, the total number of applications stood at 2,041,800 which is 65,100 higher than the figure reported on March 30, 2025 and a little higher than February 28, 2025, when there were 2,029,400.
IRCC succeeded in lowering its backlog—applications beyond deadline—by 19,700 from 779,900 to 760,200.
It goes through the IRCC’s latest data, highlights trends by processing category, measures monthly improvement and clarifies what this data means for applicants, persons representing clients and those interested in issues around Canadian immigration.
This article covers what these numbers may mean if you want to become a Canadian citizen, become a permanent resident or need a temporary visa for education or work in Canada.
Overall Immigration Processing Numbers: A Snapshot
IRCC had a total of 2,041,800 applications at the end of April 2025 which indicates how many people want to immigrate to, study in or work in Canada.
The additional 65,100 applications in April points to a constant rise in new applications.
Even so, the backlog going from 779,900 to 760,200 shows that IRCC has been able to streamline its work as it deals with exceptional volumes.
Key achievements from January 1 to April 30, 2025, include:
Permanent Residency: IRCC took 156,450 decisions last year and welcomed 132,100 new permanent residents, reaching Ireland’s wish for 395,000 people to become residents by the year 2025.
Citizenship: Nearly 20,000 permanent residents were officially granted Canadian citizenship during April 2025, a sign of how Canada values immigration.
Temporary Residency: The agency finished processing 194,000 study permits (including extensions) and 491,400 work permits (including extensions), confirming Canada’s standing as a place of choice for people looking to study or work.
IRCC manages to decrease the backlog and handle large numbers of cases, ensuring Canada remains popular with talented individuals worldwide.
Below, we look at the trends by categories to get a more detailed look.
Category-Wise Breakdown: Understanding Canada’s Immigration Inventory
IRCC’s inventory is divided into three primary categories: citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency.
Each category has its own dynamics, with unique inventory totals and backlog percentages.
Here’s an in-depth look at the April 2025 data, including comparisons with previous months and insights into processing trends.
1. Citizenship Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 242,500 applications, up from 239,400 in March 2025 and 239,600 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 44,900 applications (19% of total), an increase from 43,600 (18%) in March and 42,700 (18%) in February.
Key Insights: Citizenship applications are primarily submitted by permanent residents seeking full Canadian citizenship, a critical step toward integration into Canadian society.
As the number of applications in inventory (3,100) and backlog (1,300) slightly rose, it suggests not all applications are processed within the 12-month time frame.
Although the backlog grew slightly, it could be due to complex cases or greater demand and in comparison to other streams, citizenship is still stable.
2. Permanent Residency Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 880,800 applications, up from 852,700 in March 2025 and 842,600 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 391,000 applications (44% of total), up from 380,100 (45%) in March and 364,000 (43%) in February.
Key Insights: Permanent residency (PR) applications form the backbone of Canada’s immigration strategy, encompassing programs like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorships.
The rise in applications from March to April (up 28,100) demonstrates just how much people want to move to Canada for its excellent job opportunities and pleasant lifestyle.
The rise in backlog by 10,900 shows that more than one-third (44%) of Express Entry applications have yet to be evaluated after 6 months and about half of sponsorship applications are beyond the 12-month limit.
This proves that IRCC has made steady progress, largely processing 156,450 PR decisions already in 2025’s first four months.
With sufficient PR applications, IRCC is capable of following its immigration plans despite the greater waiting times that would happen for each application.
3. Temporary Residency Applications
Total Inventory (April 2025): 918,500 applications, up from 884,600 in March 2025 but down from 947,200 in February 2025.
Backlog (April 2025): 324,300 applications (35% of total), a significant reduction from 356,200 (40%) in March and 414,500 (44%) in February.
Key Insights: Temporary residency applications include study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, catering to students, workers, and visitors/tourists.
There was the largest improvement in this category, as the backlog dropped by 31,900 cases over the month.
There were 33,900 more applications in the backlog which signals high demand for study and work permits as well as for extensions by applicants currently in Canada.
The processing of so many study and work permits in such a short period shows IRCC is prioritizing reducing delays in this category.
IRCC has efficiently performed by reducing the total pending applications from 90% to 35% of the inventory.
March vs. April 2025: A Comparative Analysis
To understand IRCC’s progress, let’s compare the April 2025 data with March and February 2025.
The table below provides a detailed snapshot of inventory and backlog trends across all categories:
Backlog vs. IRCC Service Standards: A Critical Distinction
Applicants need to know how backlog data differs from IRCC service standards to manage expectations and plan their immigration process.
What Are IRCC Service Standards?
Service standards are the target processing times set by IRCC for various application types.
These timelines represent the duration within which IRCC aims to process 80% of applications. Examples include:
Spousal Sponsorship: 12 months
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): 6 months
Study Permits: 8 weeks
Citizenship Applications: 12 months
Applications processed within these timeframes are considered part of regular processing and are not counted in the backlog.
Service standards provide applicants with a benchmark for expected wait times, though actual processing may vary based on case complexity or application volume.
What Is a Backlog?
The backlog is formed by applications that do not meet the set service standards.
If a spousal sponsorship is delayed more than 12 months or an Express Entry application lasts longer than 6 months, these cases are classified as backlogged.
Monthly updates from IRCC show how many processing delays are experienced, helping manage resources for solving bottlenecks.
In April 2025, the total backlog went down by 19,700, but the permanent residency category had an increase.
Fewer temporary residents waiting for processing shows that IRCC is prioritizing making study and work permit processing more efficient.
Implications for Applicants
The latest April 2025 information from the IRCC shows there are both issues and achievements in Canada’s immigration system.
The high number of applications, more than 2 million, proves Canada’s popularity worldwide, but the increase in permanent residency requests suggests a longer waiting time for those applying in this area.
Also, the large reduction in temporary residency waiting times brings good news for students and workers, suggesting they can get their permits processed quicker.
Aspiring immigrants should use the data to understand why it’s important to keep up to date on immigration trends. Applicants should:
Monitor IRCC Updates: Regularly check IRCC’s monthly backlog reports for the latest processing times.
Prepare Thorough Applications: Complete and accurate applications can help avoid delays.
Understand Service Standards: Align expectations with IRCC’s target timelines for your application type.
Seek Professional Guidance: Immigration consultants or lawyers can provide tailored advice for complex cases.
With more skilled workers coming to Canada, IRCC’s regular updates will always help applicants and those supporting their applications.
How well the team manages a growing inventory and backlogs will determine the experience for new applicants.
The latest info of April 2025 reveals both the high levels of demand and the IRCC’s efforts to stay on top of it.
What is the current IRCC application backlog in 2025?
As of April 30, 2025, IRCC’s total inventory is 2,041,800 applications, with a backlog of 760,200 applications exceeding service standards.
Why did Canada’s immigration backlog increase?
The backlog grew by 65,100 applications due to a surge in new applications for citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency, reflecting high global demand.
How is IRCC addressing the backlog?
IRCC reduced the backlog by 19,700, with significant progress in temporary residency (down 31,900), while processing 156,450 PR decisions and 685,400 permits in 2025.
What are IRCC service standards?
Service standards are target processing times, e.g., 6 months for Express Entry, 12 months for citizenship, and 8 weeks for study permits, aiming to process 80% of applications within these timelines.
Author: Shubham
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