Express Entry Competition Loosens as 4,000+ Top Profiles Exit

The Express Entry backlog continues to rise as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) faces mounting processing delays across multiple immigration streams. Newly released figures for October 2025 show Canada’s immigration backlog has exceeded one million applications, highlighting increasing pressure on the system and longer wait times for applicants.

According to IRCC data released on December 16, 2025, the backlog of Express Entry applications increased by 29 percent from the previous month. While there was a modest improvement in study permit processing for the first time since July 2025, most other immigration categories saw little relief.

Understanding IRCC’s Application Inventory

As of October 31, 2025, IRCC’s total application inventory stood at 2,182,200 files. Of these, 1,175,500 applications were being processed within established service standards, while the remainder fell into backlog status.

IRCC defines a backlog application as one that exceeds the department’s official service standard for that category. These service standards are designed to ensure that 80 percent of applications are processed within a target timeframe, while the remaining 20 percent may take longer due to complexity or additional verification requirements.

Immigration Backlog Growth Throughout 2025

After showing steady improvement during the first quarter of 2025, Canada’s immigration backlog reversed course mid-year and has continued climbing ever since. By October 2025, the backlog reached 1,006,700 applications, marking the highest level of the year.

The increased backlog means many Express Entry candidates now face waits far longer than expected, affecting their ability to make timely plans for moving to Canada, employment, and family arrangements.

Express Entry And Permanent Residence Backlog

Permanent residence applications made up a significant portion of IRCC’s inventory. As of October 31, 2025, there were 928,800 permanent residence applications in the system, an increase of 15,000 from the end of September.
Only 427,500 of these applications, or 46 percent, were being processed within service standards. This left 501,300 permanent residence applications in backlog status.
Express Entry applicants have been particularly impacted. IRCC data shows that 27 percent of Express Entry applications are now considered backlogged, up from 21 percent the previous month. This represents a notable deterioration in processing efficiency.
Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Program applications are facing even greater delays. The backlog ratio for these files rose from 47 percent to 51 percent, the highest level recorded since April 2022.
Family sponsorship applications also experienced a slight increase in delays, with 20 percent now in backlog, up from 19 percent in September. This figure aligns with IRCC’s internal projections but still reflects longer wait times for families.
From January 1 to October 31, 2025, IRCC finalized 377,100 permanent residence decisions and admitted 343,400 new permanent residents to Canada.

Temporary Residence Backlog Trends

Temporary residence applications showed mixed results. As of October 31, 2025, the temporary residence inventory declined slightly to 999,100 applications, down from 1,028,500 at the end of September. Of these applications, 548,500, or 55 percent, were being processed within service standards. This left 450,600 temporary residence applications in backlog, covering work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
Work permit delays worsened, with the backlog rising from 48 percent to 50 percent. This significantly exceeds IRCC’s projected backlog level of 39 percent.
Study permits offered a rare positive development. The study permit backlog decreased marginally to 41 percent, down from 42 percent. However, this still remains well above the government’s projected backlog target of 30 percent.
Visitor visa applications saw no change, with backlog levels holding steady at 57 percent. This remains consistent with IRCC’s forecasts.
Between January and October 2025, IRCC processed 1,111,000 work permit applications and 501,800 study permit applications.

Citizenship Applications And Processing Delays

Citizenship grant applications also continued to experience delays. As of October 31, 2025, the citizenship application inventory totaled 254,300 files.

Of these, 199,500 applications, or 78 percent, were being processed within service standards.

The remaining 54,800 applications, representing 22 percent, were classified as backlog.

This marked the fourth consecutive month of backlog growth in citizenship applications, with increases of roughly one percent each month. From April 1 to October 31, 2025, Canada granted citizenship to 156,500 individuals.

Why IRCC Service Standards Matter

IRCC service standards establish the expected processing timelines for each immigration category. For example, most Express Entry applications carry a six-month service standard, while family sponsorship applications typically have a one-year target.
With more applications exceeding service standards, applicants are left uncertain about processing times, making it harder to plan moves, work, or family reunification, and potentially disrupting their personal and professional plans while they wait.

What Applicants Can Do Amid Delays

While applicants cannot control IRCC’s processing capacity, they can reduce the risk of further delays by submitting complete and accurate applications.
Missing documents, inconsistencies, or unclear information often lead to requests for additional information, extending processing times.
Applicants should also monitor official IRCC updates and consider alternative immigration pathways if delays significantly affect their plans.

Key Takeaways

Canada’s Express Entry backlog surpassed one million applications by October 2025.
Express Entry and Express Entry-linked PNP applications are facing the sharpest delays.
Temporary residence backlogs remain high despite a slight improvement in study permits.
Citizenship applications continue to experience steady month-over-month backlog growth.
IRCC service standards are increasingly being exceeded across major immigration categories.

Conclusion

The continued rise in Canada’s immigration backlog underscores the growing strain on IRCC’s processing system. While incremental improvements in some areas offer cautious optimism, Express Entry candidates and other applicants should be prepared for extended wait times well into 2026.

Staying informed, submitting strong applications, and exploring alternative pathways where possible will be essential as Canada balances high immigration demand with limited processing capacity.