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Express Entry Backlog Expands as IRCC Pending Applications Exceed One Million
Canada’s immigration backlog has crossed the one-million mark, with delays in Express Entry applications increasing sharply in October. According to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on December 16, the proportion of backlogged Express Entry files rose by 29% compared to the previous month.
At the same time, IRCC reported a modest improvement in study permit processing, as the study permit backlog declined for the first time since July.
Overall Application Inventory
As of the end of October, IRCC was managing a total of 2,182,200 applications across all immigration categories. Of these, 1,175,500 applications were being processed within the department’s service standards.
Applications that exceed the published service standard timelines are officially classified as being in the backlog.
By the end of October, the total immigration backlog reached 1,006,700 applications, marking a steady increase throughout the second half of the year.
Immigration Backlog Trend in 2025
| Month | Backlog Applications | Monthly Change |
| 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% |
Permanent Residence Applications
IRCC reported 928,800 permanent residence applications in its inventory as of October 31, an increase of 15,000 applications compared to September. This category includes Express Entry, Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and family sponsorship applications.
Only 46% (427,500) of permanent residence applications were being processed within service standards, leaving 501,300 applications in backlog.
Delays were particularly evident in Express Entry processing. IRCC data shows that 27% of Express Entry applications were backlogged, well above the department’s projected level of 20%. This marked a sharp increase from 21% in September.
For Express Entry-aligned PNP applications, the backlog climbed from 47% to 51%, the highest level recorded since April 2022. Family sponsorship applications remained relatively stable, with 20% classified as backlog, matching IRCC’s projections.
Between January 1 and October 31, IRCC finalized 377,100 permanent residence decisions and welcomed 343,400 new permanent residents.
Temporary Residence Applications
Temporary residence inventories declined slightly in October. IRCC reported 999,100 temporary residence applications in its system, down from 1,028,500 in September.
Of these, 55% (548,500) were within service standards, while 450,600 applications remained backlogged.
The work permit backlog rose marginally to 50%, exceeding IRCC’s projected level of 39%. The study permit backlog declined to 41%, down from 42% in September, marking the first reduction in several months. However, it still exceeded the department’s projected backlog of 30%.
Visitor visa processing remained unchanged, with 57% of applications backlogged, exactly in line with projections.
IRCC noted that between January and October, it finalized 1,111,000 work permit applications and 501,800 study permit applications.
Citizenship Grant Applications
As of October 31, IRCC had 254,300 citizenship grant applications in its inventory. Of these, 78% (199,500) were being processed within service standards, leaving 54,800 applications or 22% in the backlog.
This marked the fourth consecutive month in which the citizenship backlog increased by one percentage point. IRCC also reported welcoming 156,500 new Canadian citizens between April 1 and October 31.
Understanding IRCC Service Standards
IRCC service standards represent target processing times for different application categories. For example, most Express Entry applications are expected to be processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications have a 12-month standard.
The department aims to finalize 80% of applications within service standards, acknowledging that the remaining cases often involve complex circumstances requiring additional review or documentation.