IRCC Immigration Backlog Grows Again, Study Permit Delays Worsen
Canada’s immigration system is facing another increase in processing backlogs, as the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that the total number of applications waiting beyond standard processing times continues to rise.
As of August 31, 2025, IRCC reported a backlog of 958,850 applications, up from 901,700 at the end of July. This represents a 6.33% month-over-month increase, highlighting persistent processing challenges across permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship streams.
Key Highlights – IRCC Inventory and Backlog (August 31, 2025)
- Total Applications in System: 2,199,400 (all categories combined).
- Applications Within Service Standards: 1,240,550 (56.4%).
- Applications in Backlog: 958,850 (43.6%).
- Monthly Backlog Growth: +57,150 applications compared to July 2025.
Backlog Trend Over the Past Six Months
| Month (2025) | Total Backlog | Change vs. Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| March | 779,900 | -5.03% |
| April | 760,200 | -2.53% |
| May | 802,000 | +5.50% |
| June | 842,800 | +5.02% |
| July | 901,700 | +6.98% |
| August | 958,850 | +6.33% |
The data shows a clear upward trajectory since May 2025, with three consecutive months of significant backlog increases.
Permanent Residence Applications
- Total PR Inventory: 901,800
- Within Service Standards: 431,500
- Backlogged PR Applications: 470,300 (up from 443,500 in July).
Breakdown of PR Streams:
- Express Entry:
- Backlog represents 20% of applications, a slight improvement from 21% in July.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
- Backlog steady at 49%, nearly double the rate seen in December 2024 (25%).
- Family Sponsorship:
- Backlog increased to 17%, up from 15% in July.
- This is the highest family sponsorship backlog in two years, last seen in August 2023.
Temporary Residence Applications
- Total TR Inventory: 1,038,100
- Within Service Standards: 600,750 (58%) – a drop from 62% in July.
- Backlogged TR Applications: 437,350.
Category Insights:
- Work Permits: Backlog decreased slightly from 46% in July to 45% in August, indicating small efficiency gains.
- Study Permits: Backlog surged from 23% in July to 32% in August, signaling growing delays for international students.
- Visitor Visas: Backlog climbed from 56% in July to 60% in August, showing slower visitor processing times.
Citizenship Applications
- Backlog Rate: 20% (up from 19% in July).
- Citizenship processing remains within IRCC’s target range, though the increase suggests slight pressure on resources.
Understanding the IRCC Backlog
- Definition: Any application that surpasses IRCC’s published service standards is classified as part of the backlog.
- Service Standards Examples:
- Express Entry: 6 months.
- Family Sponsorship: 12 months.
- Work/Study Permits: Varies by stream (typically 60–120 days).
- IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within standard timelines, allowing more complex files to take longer.
Category-Wise Inventory Snapshot (August 31, 2025)
| Category | Total Inventory | Backlog | % in Backlog | Within Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residence | 901,800 | 470,300 | 52.1% | 431,500 |
| Temporary Residence | 1,038,100 | 437,350 | 42.1% | 600,750 |
| Citizenship | 259,500 | 51,200 | 19.7% | 208,300 |
| Total | 2,199,400 | 958,850 | 43.6% | 1,240,550 |
Key Observations
- Persistent Growth: Backlogs have risen for three straight months, with +179,950 cases added since May 2025.
- Study Permit Pressure: The largest month-over-month surge came from study permits, rising from 23% to 32% backlog in just one month.
- Visitor Visa Delays: Visitor visa backlog now affects 6 out of 10 applicants, potentially impacting tourism and family visits.
- Family Sponsorship Concern: Backlogs in this category have hit a two-year high, delaying family reunifications.
Impact on Applicants
- Students: International students face growing uncertainty, risking missed intake deadlines for colleges and universities.
- Workers: Marginal improvement in work permit processing offers slight relief for employers, but delays still affect hiring plans.
- Families: Sponsorship delays prolong family separations, particularly for spouses and dependent children.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
