Canada Immigration Backlog Hits 900K in July 2025: What to Know

IRCC Backlog Grows for Third Straight Month: What It Means for Canadian Immigration Applicants

Key Highlights

• IRCC’s backlog reached 901,700 applications as of July 31, 2025
• This marks the third month in a row the backlog has grown
• A total of 2.2 million immigration applications are currently in IRCC’s system
• Permanent residence backlog rose to 443,500 applications
• Temporary residence and work permit backlogs also saw noticeable increases
• Citizenship application backlog stayed steady at 19%

An Overview of the IRCC Immigration Backlog

If you’ve submitted an application for Canadian immigration recently or are planning to, here’s some important news: as of July 31, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported a growing backlog of 901,700 applications. That’s up nearly 7% from June, and it’s now the third consecutive month we’ve seen an increase.

To give some context, IRCC considers an application to be in the backlog if it hasn’t been processed within the department’s official service standards. These standards vary by program—for instance, Express Entry applications are expected to be processed in six months, while family sponsorship applications have a 12-month timeline.

While IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within these timelines, factors like documentation issues or more complex cases can cause delays. Let’s break down where things currently stand across different categories.

Backlog Trends Over the Last Six Months

Here’s a look at how the backlog has changed month-to-month:

The increase in July brings the total number of applications within all IRCC inventories to 2,226,600. About 1,324,900 of those are still being processed on time, according to IRCC’s standards.

Permanent Residence Applications: A Closer Look

Permanent residence (PR) applications make up a significant portion of the overall backlog. As of the end of July, IRCC had 892,400 PR applications in its system. These include:

• Express Entry streams
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), including Manitoba PNP
• Family sponsorship applications

Out of these, 448,900 applications were within service standards, meaning 443,500 are currently in the backlog. That’s up from 415,800 at the end of June.

Let’s look at how the backlog breaks down by stream:

• Express Entry: 21% of applications are backlogged (up from 20% in June)
• Express Entry-aligned PNPs: 49% are backlogged—unchanged from June but nearly double from December 2024 (25%)
• Family Sponsorship: 15% of applications are backlogged, slightly up from 14%

This upward trend in backlogs suggests longer wait times for many PR applicants, especially within PNP programs.

Temporary Residence Applications: Rising Wait Times

Temporary resident applications—including work permits, study permits, and visitor visas—are also facing growing delays. As of July 31:

• Total applications: 1,079,300
• Processed within service standards: 669,900 (62%)
• In the backlog: 409,400

Here’s how backlog percentages changed from June to July:

• Work permits: Up from 40% to 46%
• Study permits: Rose from 18% to 23%
• Visitor visas: Increased from 53% to 56%

If you’re applying for a temporary visa, it’s a good idea to submit as early as possible—and make sure your application is complete to help avoid delays.

Citizenship Applications Holding Steady

In contrast to the other categories, the backlog for Canadian citizenship grant applications has remained stable. As of July, 19% of citizenship applications were part of the backlog—unchanged from the previous month and still within IRCC’s target.

Why This Matters to Immigration Applicants

If you’re waiting on your immigration or visa application to be processed, these trends are important to understand. Longer wait times can impact everything from your job start date to your studies or family reunification plans.

For those applying through programs like the Manitoba PNP, being aware of processing delays can help you better plan your next steps—whether it’s gathering extra documentation, updating your application, or seeking professional support.

Final Thoughts: What Can You Do?

Backlogs are a reality many applicants face, but there are a few things you can do to navigate the process more effectively:

• Submit complete and accurate applications
• Apply as early as possible, especially for time-sensitive programs like study permits
• Consider seeking guidance from a qualified immigration consultant or lawyer
• Stay updated on changes to immigration policies and processing times

If you’re just starting your journey and not sure where to begin, try our free Canada immigration eligibility assessment tool. It’s a great starting point to find out which programs you might qualify for.

Have questions about your application or immigration options? Reach out for a free consultation and get personalized advice tailored to your situation.

Let’s make your move to Canada a little smoother—one step at a time.