IRCC Backlog Surges: PNP & Immigration Applicants Affected

IRCC Backlog Grows to 842,800 Applications: What It Means for Immigration Applicants in Canada

Key Highlights

• The IRCC backlog reached 842,800 applications by June 30, 2025 — up 5.02% from May.
• Total applications across all categories now exceed 2.18 million, with 1.35 million within service standards.
• Permanent residence backlog rose to 415,800 applications, with Express Entry and PNP streams seeing significant delays.
• Study permit backlog dropped to 18%, improving from 45% in February.
• IRCC is using automation and analytics to speed up processing and reduce delays.
• Family sponsorship and citizenship applications remain near or within target backlog levels.

What’s Behind the Growing IRCC Backlog?

If you’ve applied for immigration to Canada and are waiting on a decision, you’re not alone. As of June 30, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported a total of 842,800 applications in the backlog — a noticeable jump from 802,000 just a month earlier. That’s a 5.02% increase in pending applications exceeding the department’s standard processing timelines.

In total, there are now over 2.18 million applications in IRCC’s system. Of those, 1,346,700 are being processed on time, while the rest are delayed beyond IRCC’s standard guidelines.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving these delays, how they vary across immigration categories, and what IRCC is doing to manage the situation.

What Exactly Is a Backlog?

To put it simply, an application enters the IRCC backlog if it hasn’t been finalized within the department’s published service standards. These standards vary depending on the type of application. For example:

• Express Entry: Target processing time is six months.
• Family sponsorship: Processing typically takes up to 12 months.

IRCC aims to complete 80% of applications within these timelines. However, applications that require additional documentation or are more complex may take longer. That’s when they’re counted as part of the backlog.

Month-by-Month: IRCC Backlog Trends (Jan–June 2025)

Here’s how the backlog has shifted over the past six months:

After a few months of progress earlier in the year, the backlog has begun to climb again.

Backlog Breakdown by Immigration Category

Let’s dive deeper into how the backlog looks across different types of immigration applications.

Permanent Residence (PR) Applications

As of June 30, 2025, IRCC had 896,100 PR applications in its system. That includes:

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

Out of these, 480,300 were being processed within service standards. That means 415,800 applications were backlogged — an increase from 402,400 in May.

• Express Entry: 20% of applications are now in the backlog, up from 18% the month before.
• PNP via Express Entry: 48% of applications are delayed — a slight improvement from 49% in May, but still high.
• Family Sponsorship: 14% backlog rate, slightly under the 15% target.

If you’re navigating the PNP stream, especially through Express Entry, it’s worth checking your eligibility and points regularly. You can do this using our Manitoba PNP points calculator to stay competitive.

Temporary Residence Applications

Temporary visa and permit applications — which include work permits, study permits, and visitor visas — totalled 1,040,700 as of June 2025. Of these, 661,100 (64%) met service benchmarks, but that still left 379,600 applications in the backlog.

Here’s how that breaks down:

• Work Permits: Backlog ticked up slightly from 38% in May to 40% in June.
• Study Permits: Good news here! Backlog dropped to 18%, well below the 20% target — and a major improvement from 45% in February.
• Visitor Visas: Still high, but slightly better — backlog down from 54% to 53%.

Citizenship Applications

For those applying for Canadian citizenship, the situation has remained stable. The backlog is holding steady at 19%, right in line with IRCC’s target.

What’s IRCC Doing to Reduce the Backlog?

The department isn’t sitting still. Since late last year, IRCC has been implementing new strategies to tackle delays, including:

• Advanced analytics to help sort and prioritize applications
• Automation tools that assist officers in identifying complex cases and summarizing documents

These changes are aimed at freeing up officers to focus on more nuanced applications while streamlining those that are straightforward. The recent dip in study permit backlog suggests these efforts are starting to pay off.

Final Thoughts

If you’re waiting on an immigration decision, the growing backlog might feel frustrating — but knowing where you stand and what IRCC is doing to improve the system can help ease some of that stress.

Whether you’re applying for permanent residency, a work permit, or a visitor visa, staying informed is key. Keep track of processing time changes and make sure your application is as complete and accurate as possible to avoid delays.

Thinking about applying through the Provincial Nominee Program? Don’t forget to check out our Manitoba PNP points calculator to maximize your chances.

Need Expert Help?

Ready to start your Canadian immigration journey or need help navigating delays? Reach out to our team of professionals for personalized guidance — we’re here to help.

Contact us for a consultation or check out more helpful resources on Canadian immigration here.