IRCC Reduces Immigration Backlog, Updates Maintained Status Rules

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant progress in reducing its application backlog, with figures reaching a six-month low. This positive development comes alongside crucial updates to maintained status rules, impacting temporary residents who submit multiple applications. These changes aim to streamline processes and ensure compliance within Canada's immigration framework.

IRCC Achieves Significant Backlog Reduction

As of April 30, 2025, IRCC reported a total of 760,200 applications in its backlog, marking a 2.53% reduction from the previous month's 779,900. This is the fifth consecutive month the backlog has remained below one million applications and represents the lowest figure in the last six months. Despite this, the total application inventory increased to 2,041,800.

IRCC defines an application as backlogged if it exceeds the department's published service standards. While 80% of applications are targeted to be processed within these standards, the remaining 20% account for more complex cases.

Backlog Breakdown (as of April 30, 2025):

• Permanent Resident Applications: 391,000 applications were backlogged (44% of the inventory). While family sponsorship remained within its target, Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications continued to exceed their projected backlog targets.

• Temporary Resident Applications: A significant reduction was seen, with 324,300 applications backlogged (35% of the inventory). This category includes work permits, study permits, and visitor visas, all showing progress in reducing their respective backlogs compared to the previous month.

• Citizenship Grants: The backlog remained notably low at 44,900 applications (19% of the inventory), consistent with previous months.

IRCC attributes its success in backlog reduction to several factors, including the implementation of advanced analytics and automation technologies, the use of application caps for certain programs (like the 2025 study permit cap), and adjusted permanent residency targets outlined in the 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan.

Key Changes to Maintained Status Rules

Effective May 28, 2025, IRCC updated its instructions regarding maintained status, particularly for temporary residents who submit more than one application for extension. Maintained status allows a foreign national to legally remain in Canada and continue their authorized activities (work or study) while their extension application is being processed, provided they applied before their original permit expired.

The significant change impacts scenarios where a temporary resident submits a subsequent application while on maintained status, and their initial application is refused:

• Old Rule: If the initial application was refused, and a second application was submitted after the expiry of the original permit, the applicant's authorized stay would still be extended until a decision on the second application, though work/study authorization might not be extended.

• New Rule: Under the updated policy, if the initial application is refused, and a subsequent application was submitted after the expiry of the original permit, the applicant will not have their authorized period of stay extended. The subsequent application will be refused and returned, rendering the applicant out of status. They would then need to apply for restoration of status if eligible.

This change aims to prevent the use of

Sources

• IRCC reports continued reduction in immigration application backlog, CIC News.

• IRCC changes rules for maintained status, CIC News.

• New IRCC Updates on Maintained Status Policies: Major Change to Temporary Residents (2025), Canadim.

• New IRCC Update On Canada's Immigration Backlog May 2025, INC News.

• New IRCC Update On Processing Times As Of May 2025, INC News.