Canada Immigration Backlog Hits 1M: Study Permits Surge 10%
IRCC Backlog Nears 1 Million: Study Permits See Steepest Surge
As of September 30, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recorded its highest backlog of the year, with nearly 1 million applications awaiting processing. This sharp climb is mainly being driven by a surge in study permit applications, which jumped 10% in just one month. Let’s break down what this means for newcomers, applicants, and anyone tracking Canada’s immigration system.
Key Highlights
- IRCC’s backlog reached 996,700 applications—its highest since November 2024.
- Study permit applications saw a notable 10% increase in September alone.
- Permanent residence applications represent 482,400 of the backlog.
- Temporary residence applications (including work and study permits) account for 461,100 backlogged cases.
- 21% of citizenship applications are now considered delayed, up slightly from last month.
- IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within service standards, but complex cases often take longer.
What’s Driving the Growing IRCC Backlog?
IRCC’s total inventory of applications stood at over 2.2 million by the end of September. While a solid 1.2 million applications were being processed within expected timelines, about 996,700 had moved into the backlog—meaning they exceeded the department’s service standards.
The most significant contributor to this recent uptick? Study permits. These applications saw a 10% month-over-month spike, the largest increase for any application category in 2025 so far.
Backlog Trends Throughout 2025
The backlog numbers have been steadily climbing throughout the year. Here’s a quick month-by-month snapshot:
| Month | Backlog Total | 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% |
As you can see, the trend has shifted from shrinking backlogs earlier in the year to a steady increase since May.
Permanent Residence Applications: What’s the Status?
Of the nearly 1 million applications in the overall backlog, about 482,400 are for permanent residence (PR). These applications include Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)—including Manitoba PNP—and family sponsorship streams.
Here’s how things look:
- 47% of all PR applications are within standard processing times.
- 21% of Express Entry applications are backlogged, up slightly from 20% in August.
- 47% of PNP applications are delayed—notably the lowest since March 2025.
- The family sponsorship backlog rose from 17% to 19%, its highest since mid-2023.
This indicates that while some PR programs are improving, others—especially family sponsorship—are seeing renewed delays.
Temporary Residence Backlog: Study Permits Lead the Way
Temporary residence applications, which include work permits, study permits, and visitor visas, made up 1,028,500 submissions in September. Of those, 567,400 were being handled within IRCC’s timelines, leaving 461,100 backlogged.
Here’s a closer look at each category:
- Work Permits: 48% backlog (up from 45% in August), exceeding the projected 28%.
- Study Permits: 42% backlog (up from 32% the month before), much higher than the expected 34%.
- Visitor Visas: Slight improvement with backlogs down to 57%, although still above the 53% projection.
The sharp rise in study permit backlogs is especially concerning as universities and colleges gear up for a new academic intake. Delays here can directly affect international students planning to study in Canada.
Citizenship Applications: Slight Increase in Delays
As of September’s end, a total of 257,800 Canadian citizenship applications were in the system. While 79% were being processed on time, about 21%—or 53,200 applications—had slipped into the backlog.
This is a slight uptick from the previous month and may be attributed to a growing number of applicants as more permanent residents become eligible for citizenship.
What Exactly Is a Backlogged Application?
In simple terms, an application is considered part of IRCC’s backlog when it takes longer than the department’s service standards to process. For example:
- Express Entry: Expected to be processed within 6 months.
- Family Sponsorship: Standard is 12 months.
If an application goes beyond these timelines, it’s added to the backlog. IRCC aims to finalize 80% of all applications within these standards, but the remaining 20% often involve more complex cases requiring deeper review or extra documentation.
What This Means for Applicants
If you’ve submitted an application—whether for permanent residence, a study permit, or citizenship—you may already be feeling the impact of longer wait times. While IRCC is still meeting its targets for over half of all applications, a significant number are facing delays.
This can affect everything from school start dates and job offers to family reunification plans. It’s more important than ever to submit complete and accurate applications to reduce the chances of delay.
Final Thoughts
With the IRCC backlog approaching the 1 million mark, it’s clear the system is under pressure. The steep increase in study permit applications highlights the growing demand for Canadian immigration pathways—especially among international students.
If you’re applying through programs like Manitoba PNP or Express Entry, staying on top of your application status and understanding service standards can help you manage expectations and plan ahead.
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