Canada Immigration Backlog Soars: Express Entry Delays Update

Canada’s Express Entry Backlog Hits Highest Level Since 2022: What It Means for Immigration Applicants

• Express Entry backlog rises to 32%, the highest since October 2022
• IRCC’s total application backlog nears 1.01 million as of November 2025
• Study permit backlogs improved, dropping from 41% to 36%
• Permanent residence (PR) applications in backlog now exceed 515,000
• Temporary residence backlog decreases, but visitor visa delays persist
• Citizenship grant backlog continues to rise for the fifth consecutive month

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its latest application inventory data, and the numbers are raising eyebrows across the immigration community. As of November 30, 2025, Canada’s immigration backlog climbed back to over 1 million applications—marking the highest Express Entry backlog we’ve seen in over three years.

If you’re one of the many hopefuls waiting on an application decision, you’re probably wondering what this means for your timeline. Let’s break it all down and look at what’s behind the growing delays, how different immigration streams are affected, and what you can do to stay ahead.

Where Things Stand: IRCC’s Latest Backlog Numbers

According to figures released by IRCC on January 20, 2026, there were 1,005,800 applications across all immigration categories classified as backlogged—meaning they’ve exceeded the department’s expected processing timelines.

Although this is a slight improvement from the previous month (down by 900 cases), the bad news is that Express Entry applications are taking longer to process, with 32% now in backlog status—up from 27% in October. That’s the highest rate since October 2022, when 45% of Express Entry files were delayed.

By comparison, the total number of applications in IRCC’s inventory sits at around 2.13 million. Of these, just under 1.13 million are being processed within service standards, leaving nearly half lagging behind.

Permanent Residence Applications: Express Entry and PNP Delays

When we zero in on permanent residence (PR) applications, there’s been a noticeable jump in volume. As of November 30, IRCC had 941,600 PR applications in its system—an increase of 12,800 from October.

This includes applications through:

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Family sponsorship

Out of these, only 45% are being processed on time. That leaves 515,000 PR applications in the backlog.

The Express Entry backlog rose to 32%—well above the department’s target of 25%. For those applying through Express Entry-aligned PNP streams, delays are even more severe, with 53% of applications backlogged—up from 51% the month prior. If you’re currently applying to the Manitoba PNP or another provincial stream linked to Express Entry, you may experience longer processing times.

On a slightly brighter note, family sponsorship applications remained steady, with only 20% in backlog—unchanged from October.

Temporary Residence Applications: Slight Improvements

IRCC also handles temporary residence applications like work permits, study permits, and visitor visas. The latest data shows some progress here. As of November 30, there were 942,000 temporary resident files in the system—down from nearly 1 million a month earlier.

Of these, 54% were within service standards, leaving a backlog of 434,400 applications. Here’s how each temporary stream is faring:

Study Permits

The study permit backlog dropped significantly, from 41% in October to 36% by the end of November. This is an encouraging sign for international students planning to study in Canada in 2026.

Work Permits

The work permit backlog also saw a slight dip—from 50% to 49%. However, this is still above the projected backlog rate of 44%, meaning many applicants could face delays.

Visitor Visas

Unfortunately, visitor visa processing continues to be sluggish. The backlog here remained unchanged at 57% for the third month in a row, exceeding IRCC’s target of 54%.

Between January and November 2025, IRCC finalized more than 1.2 million work permit requests and over 557,000 study permit applications, including extensions. Despite these efforts, backlogs remain a challenge, especially for short-term visitors.

Citizenship Applications: Backlog on the Rise

Citizenship processing isn’t immune to delays either. As of November 30, IRCC had 247,100 citizenship grant applications in its inventory—up 7,200 from October. Of these, 23% were considered backlogged, up from 22% the month before.

This marks the fifth consecutive month of increasing citizenship backlogs. Still, 77% of these applications are progressing within service standards, which is relatively promising.

What Counts as a Backlog?

To understand why delays happen, it helps to know how IRCC defines a backlog. Every immigration stream has a target processing time known as a service standard. For example:

• Express Entry applications are expected to be processed within six months
• Family sponsorship applications should be finalized within 12 months

If an application takes longer than the benchmark, it becomes part of the backlog. While IRCC aims to process 80% of applications on time, the remaining 20% may face delays due to complexity, missing documents, or additional verification requirements.

Final Thoughts: What Can You Do?

If you’ve already submitted an application or are planning to apply soon, here are a few tips:

• Stay informed by monitoring IRCC updates and processing time estimates
• Ensure your application is complete to avoid unnecessary delays
• Consider consulting a licensed immigration professional for guidance, especially if your application is complex

Backlogs are frustrating, but they’re not uncommon in large-scale immigration systems. The good news is that IRCC continues to process hundreds of thousands of applications each month, and they’re actively working to bring processing times back on track.

If you’re applying through a program like Manitoba PNP or Express Entry, keep an eye on service standards and be prepared for possible delays. Need help figuring out your eligibility or next steps? We’ve got you covered.

Ready to explore your Canadian immigration options? Click here to assess your eligibility for permanent residence, work permits, or study programs in Canada.