Express Entry Backlog Surges Amid IRCC’s Growing Delays

The Express Entry backlog continues to climb as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) struggles with growing processing delays across multiple immigration categories. Newly released IRCC data for October 2025 confirms that Canada’s immigration backlog has now exceeded one million applications, raising concerns for candidates awaiting decisions under Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship streams.

According to IRCC figures released on December 16, 2025, the Express Entry backlog alone increased by 29 percent from the previous month, making it one of the fastest-growing backlogs in Canada’s immigration system.

Overview Of IRCC’s Application Inventory

As of October 31, 2025, IRCC reported a total application inventory of 2,182,200 files across all immigration categories. Of this total, 1,175,500 applications were being processed within IRCC’s official service standards, while the remaining files were classified as backlogged.

IRCC defines a backlogged application as one that has exceeded the department’s established service standard for that specific category. These standards are designed to process 80 percent of applications within target timelines, acknowledging that the remaining 20 percent may take longer due to complexity or additional checks.

Immigration Backlog Trends Throughout 2025

Canada’s immigration backlog initially declined in early 2025, reaching its lowest point in April. However, the trend reversed by May, with backlog levels rising steadily through the summer and fall.

By October 2025, the total backlog reached 1,006,700 applications, marking the highest level recorded in 2025. This sustained increase reflects higher application intake, limited processing capacity, and increased verification requirements across multiple immigration streams.

Express Entry And Permanent Residence Backlog Breakdown

Permanent residence applications accounted for a large share of IRCC’s inventory. As of October 31, 2025, there were 928,800 permanent residence applications in the system, an increase of 15,000 compared to 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 affected. IRCC data shows that 27 percent of Express Entry applications are now classified as backlog, up from 21 percent the previous month. This represents a significant deterioration in processing timelines for skilled workers relying on the six-month Express Entry service standard.

Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Program applications are facing even steeper delays. The backlog ratio for these files increased from 47 percent to 51 percent, the highest level observed since April 2022.

Family sponsorship applications also saw a slight increase in backlog levels. As of October, 20 percent of family sponsorship files were backlogged, up from 19 percent in September. This figure remains in line with IRCC projections but still reflects longer processing times for families.

Between January 1 and October 31, 2025, IRCC finalized 377,100 permanent residence decisions and admitted 343,400 new permanent residents to Canada.

Temporary Residence Backlog Status

Temporary residence applications showed mixed results during the same period. As of October 31, 2025, the temporary residence inventory declined slightly to 999,100 applications, down from 1,028,500 in September.
Of these, 548,500 applications, or 55 percent, were processed within service standards. This left 450,600 temporary residence applications in backlog, covering work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
Work permit processing worsened, with backlog levels rising from 48 percent to 50 percent. This exceeds IRCC’s projected backlog target of 39 percent.
Study permits showed a rare improvement. The study permit backlog declined slightly to 41 percent, down from 42 percent. However, this still remains well above IRCC’s projected backlog level of 30 percent.
Visitor visa backlogs remained unchanged at 57 percent, consistent with IRCC forecasts.
From January to October 2025, IRCC processed 1,111,000 work permit applications and 501,800 study permit applications.

Citizenship Application Backlog

Citizenship grant applications also continued to experience delays. As of October 31, 2025, the citizenship application inventory stood at 254,300 files. Of these, 199,500 applications, or 78 percent, were processed within service standards, leaving 54,800 applications, or 22 percent, in backlog. This marked the fourth consecutive month of incremental growth in the backlog of citizenship applications.

Key Takeaways

The Express Entry backlog rose sharply, with 27% of applications exceeding service standards.
Express Entry-linked PNP applications reached their highest backlog level since April 2022.
Temporary residence backlogs remain high despite a slight improvement in study permits.
Work permit delays continue to exceed IRCC projections.
Citizenship applications recorded four consecutive months of backlog growth.

The surge in the Express Entry backlog highlights the mounting strain on Canada’s immigration processing system. While IRCC continues to finalize a high volume of decisions, growing application intake and limited processing capacity have pushed many files beyond established service standards.

Express Entry candidates and other applicants should prepare for extended timelines in 2026, ensure their applications are complete and accurate, and stay informed through official IRCC updates as the department works to stabilize processing levels.