Canada Immigration Backlog Hits 1M: Express Entry Impact
IRCC Immigration Backlog Hits Over One Million: What It Means for Express Entry and Other Applications
- Canada’s immigration backlog has surpassed 1 million applications as of October 2025.
- Express Entry backlog has jumped by 29%, with 27% of applications now delayed.
- Study permit backlog decreased for the first time since July 2025.
- Work permit and visitor visa backlogs remain above projected service standards.
- Over 2.1 million total applications are currently in IRCC’s system.
- Citizenship grant backlog has risen for the fourth month in a row.
It’s no secret that Canada’s immigration system has been under pressure, but the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms just how big the challenge has become. As of October 2025, IRCC is managing over 2.18 million applications—of which more than 1 million are considered backlogged. This includes everything from permanent residence and work permits to study visas and citizenship applications.
What Is a Backlogged Application, Anyway?
IRCC determines an application to be backlogged when it hasn’t been processed within the department’s published service standards. These are the target timelines IRCC aims to meet for different types of applications. For example, most Express Entry applications are supposed to be processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications should be completed within 12 months.
Backlog Trends in 2025: A Month-by-Month Snapshot
To get a sense of how the backlog has grown over the year, here’s how the numbers stack up month by month:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change from Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| January | 891,100 | -5.33% |
| February | 821,200 | -7.95% |
| March | 779,900 | -5.03% |
| April | 760,200 | -2.53% |
| May | 802,000 | +5.5% |
| June | 842,800 | +5.02% |
| July | 901,700 | +6.98% |
| August | 958,850 | +6.33% |
| September | 996,700 | +3.95% |
| October | 1,006,700 | +1.00% |
While the pace of the backlog growth has slowed slightly in October (+1%), the overall trend is still upward. This continued rise is having a ripple effect across all types of applications.
Permanent Residence Applications: Express Entry Surges in Backlog
Among the different immigration pathways, permanent residence (PR) applications are feeling the squeeze. As of October 31, IRCC had 928,800 PR applications in its system. Of these, only 46%, or 427,500, were being handled within the expected timelines. That leaves just over 501,000 PR applications in the backlog.
The Express Entry system saw a significant increase in delays—27% of applications are now backlogged, up from 21% the month before. That’s a 29% spike in just one month. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) aligned with Express Entry isn’t faring any better, with 51% of applications delayed—the highest level since April 2022. The family sponsorship stream held steady, with 20% of applications backlogged, which aligns with IRCC’s benchmarks.
Between January and the end of October, IRCC made 377,100 decisions on PR applications and welcomed 343,400 new permanent residents to Canada.
Curious if you might qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry or a PNP? Start with our Manitoba PNP calculator to get a points estimate.
Temporary Residence: Minor Progress, but Challenges Remain
Temporary residence applications—which include work permits, study permits, and visitor visas—showed a modest improvement. The overall inventory dropped slightly from 1,028,500 in September to 999,100 by the end of October. Out of these, 548,500 (55%) were processed within service standards, leaving 450,600 applications in the backlog.
Here’s a breakdown by category:
- Work Permits: Backlog rose to 50%, exceeding the target of 39%
- Study Permits: Slight improvement to 41%, down from 42%
- Visitor Visas: Stayed steady at 57%, matching IRCC’s projections
IRCC has finalized more than 1.1 million work permits and over 501,800 study permits so far this year. If you’re planning to work in Canada, now might be a good time to schedule a consultation and get expert support in navigating the system.
Citizenship Applications: A Steady Climb in Delays
As of the end of October, there were 254,300 citizenship grant applications in the queue. Of these, 78% were being processed on time, but that still leaves 54,800 applications (22%) backlogged. This marks the fourth straight month that the backlog has crept up by 1%.
Despite these delays, Canada welcomed over 156,500 new citizens between April and October 2025. If you’re in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen and wondering about next steps, check out our citizenship resources.
What Are IRCC Service Standards, Anyway?
IRCC uses “service standards” as a way to benchmark how long it should take to process most applications in each category. These standards aren’t hard deadlines, but they do offer a reasonable idea of timing under normal conditions.
Here are a couple of examples:
- Express Entry: Most applications processed within 6 months
- Family Sponsorship: Processed within 12 months
IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within these timelines. The remaining 20% often involve more complicated cases—things like missing documents, eligibility issues, or further review requirements.
Final Thoughts: What Does This Mean for Applicants?
The growing backlog highlights just how stretched IRCC has become. While the department is clearly processing a large number of applications every month, it’s not quite enough to keep pace with demand—especially in high-volume categories like Express Entry and work permits.
If you’re planning to apply for immigration, work, or study in Canada, your best bet is to stay informed and act early. Make sure your application is complete, accurate, and supported by all the necessary documents. And if you’re navigating a more complex pathway like the Manitoba PNP or family sponsorship, professional guidance can make a real difference.
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