Canada PNP & Express Entry: 2025 Immigration Processing Update

Canada’s PR Application Processing Plans for 2025: What You Need to Know

Planning to immigrate to Canada in 2025? Knowing how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to process permanent residence (PR) applications can help you better prepare for your journey. Whether you’re applying through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or one of the federal or Quebec programs, IRCC has shared its projected processing targets for the coming year. Let’s break down what streams are being prioritized, which ones may face longer wait times, and how this impacts your immigration plans.

Key Highlights

• IRCC will clear the entire application inventory for Express Entry, enhanced PNP streams, Quebec skilled worker programs, and federal community pilots in 2025.
• Other economic PR pathways, such as caregiver pilots and the Start-Up Visa, will only have a portion of their inventory processed.
• Base PNP programs (not aligned with Express Entry) will see only 35% of applications processed.
• Wait times vary significantly—ranging from 5 months for Express Entry to over 400 months for some Start-Up Visa applicants.
• Quebec’s business immigration programs will see minimal progress, with only 3% of applications targeted for processing.
• Applicants are encouraged to explore faster-moving immigration streams like Express Entry and enhanced PNPs.

Programs That Will Be Fully Processed in 2025

Good news if you’ve submitted an application through one of the main economic immigration streams. IRCC has committed to processing 100% of applications in the following pathways:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Enhanced PNP streams (Express Entry-aligned)
• Community Pilots (like RNIP and FCIP)
• Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
• Quebec Experience Class (PEQ)
• Quebec’s Pilot Programs

This means if you’re in one of these programs, your application will be processed by the end of 2025. That’s a major step forward, especially for those who’ve been waiting patiently.

Programs With Partial Processing in 2025

Other programs won’t be so lucky—only a portion of their inventories will be addressed this coming year. Here’s how it breaks down:

So, if you’ve applied under one of these pilots or base streams, it could take some time before your application gets reviewed.

Spotlight on Express Entry

Express Entry continues to be Canada’s fastest and most efficient immigration pathway. All three core programs—CEC, FSWP, and FSTP—will have their inventories fully processed in 2025.

Average processing times are holding steady at around 6 months—give or take a month depending on the quarter.

If you’re thinking of applying or already in the pool, now’s a great time to check your Express Entry eligibility and CRS score.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Enhanced vs. Base

IRCC is prioritizing enhanced PNPs—those that are aligned with Express Entry. These will see their full application inventories cleared.

Base PNPs, on the other hand, will only have 35% of applications processed in 2025. That’s a significant backlog, especially considering some provinces like Manitoba have been issuing steady nominations.

Curious how you might score in Manitoba’s system? Try our Manitoba PNP Points Calculator.

Quebec Immigration: Mixed News

Quebec’s skilled worker programs are moving full speed ahead, with IRCC set to process the entire application inventory for PSTQ, PEQ, and the pilot programs.

However, if you’ve applied through Quebec’s business programs (like the Investor or Entrepreneur stream), brace yourself—only 3% of those applications will be reviewed in 2025. Some applicants could face wait times of up to 108 months (yes, you read that right—over 9 years!).

Federal Economic Pilots: Long Wait Times Ahead

Programs like the Caregiver Pilots and Agrifood Pilot are seeing very limited processing this year, with application wait times stretching into the hundreds of months for some categories.

IRCC has also shut the door on new out-of-Canada caregiver applications for now, so don’t expect that inventory to grow before the backlog is cleared.

Community Pilots: Full Processing Ahead

One bright spot is the Community Pilots—including programs like RNIP and FCIP. IRCC plans to clear their entire inventory in 2025, and wait times are already improving, dropping to as low as 7 months.

If you’re looking to settle in smaller communities, these programs remain a strong option.

Start-Up Visa: Significant Delays

The Start-Up Visa (SUV) program is moving very slowly. Only 2% of its massive inventory of over 38,000 applications will be processed in 2025. Wait times have ballooned to over 400 months—more than 30 years for some applicants.

If you’re an entrepreneur exploring Canadian immigration, you may want to consider alternative options.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for You

IRCC’s 2025 processing plan gives us a clear picture: if you’re applying through Express Entry or an enhanced PNP, you’re in a good spot. But if you’re in one of the pilot or base programs, long wait times are still a challenge.

Now is the time to review your options, improve your eligibility, or consider switching streams if possible. Whether you’re already in the system or just getting started, understanding these timelines can help you make smart, informed decisions about your future in Canada.

Want help figuring out your best path to permanent residence? Get a personalized assessment and see which programs are best suited to your profile.

Learn more about Express Entry or explore your provincial nomination options.