As of May 31, 2025, IRCC reported 802,000 applications in its backlog, marking a 5.5% increase from April's 760,200. This is the first monthly rise since October 2024.
Overall Inventory
- Total IRCC applications: 2,117,800
- Processed within service standards: 1,315,800
- Backlog: 802,000
Permanent Residency (PR)
- Total PR inventory (April 30): 897,900
- Within service standards: 495,500 (55%)
- Backlogged: 402,400
- Express Entry backlog: ~18%
- Express Entry-aligned PNP backlog: 49% (unchanged from April)
- Family sponsorship backlog: 14% (within IRCC’s 15% target)
Temporary Residency (TR)
- Total TR applications (May): 973,300
- Processed within standards: 620,000 (64%)
- Backlogged: 353,300
- Work permits backlog: 38% (target: 23%)
- Study permits backlog: 23% (↓ from 30% in April)
- Visitor visas backlog: 54% (unchanged)
Citizenship
Citizenship backlog: 19% (steady)
Backlog Reduction Measures
IRCC continues to use automation and advanced analytics to manage workloads. The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan also scales back PR targets to ease processing pressure.
