Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada’s immigration department, is still grappling with the increasing number of applications. As of June 30, 2025, IRCC disclosed a total backlog of 842,800 applications, up 5.02% from 802,000 at the end of May.
What constitutes a backlog?
The overall number of applications in IRCC’s processing inventory across all immigration categories was 2,189,500, with 1,346,700 of them processed according to the department’s service standards.
IRCC regards an application to be in the backlog if it is not processed within the department’s official service standards.
The set timelines for every Canadian visa program vary; for example, the Express Entry applications must be completed within six months, and the family sponsorship applications should be completed within 12 months.
The immigration department aims to process 80% of all applications within the specified time frames. More difficult situations, such as those requiring more evidence or verification, may simply fall beyond this window, contributing to the backlog.
Backlog trends for the past six months
The backlog of IRCC was different throughout 2025, showing a constant battle to balance demand and processing ability.
| Month | Backlog Volume | Monthly Change |
| January 2025 | 891,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
| March 2025 | 779,900 | -5.03% |
| April 2025 | 760,200 | -2.53% |
| May 2025 | 802,000 | +5.5% |
| June 2025 | 842,800 | +5.02% |
Permanent Residence: Increasing Backlogs in Key Streams
By the end of June, there were 896,100 applications for permanent residence. Out of these, 54% (480,300 applications) met service standards, while the remaining 415,800 were in the backlog, a significant increase from 402,400 in May.
- Express Entry: 20% of applications were in backlog, up from 18% the previous month.
- PNP via Express Entry: Following a steep increase to 49% backlog in May, it decreased somewhat to 48% in June.
- Family Sponsorship: The backlog was at 14%, which was less than the department’s 15% target.
Temporary Residence: Mixed Progress.
Temporary resident submissions (which incorporate study permits, work permits, and guest visas) accounted for a significant percentage of IRCC’s activity, with 1,040,700 applications in this category.
- Work Permits: The backlog increased slightly to 40%, up from 38% in May.
- Backlogs dropped to 18%, falling below the desired level of 20% for the first time in a year.
- Visitor Visas: There was a small improvement, with the backlog dropping from 54% in May to 53% in June.
By the conclusion of the month, there were 379,600 backlogged temporary resident applications.
Citizenship Applications: No Significant Changes
Applications for Canadian citizenship have been generally steady. The backlog proportion remained steady at 19%, in line with the department’s goal of prompt citizenship grants.
What is IRCC doing to address delays?
To address ongoing backlogs, the IRCC has used advanced data analytics and automation techniques to aid decision-making. These technologies assist officers:
- Prioritize straightforward applications.
- Identify difficult or critical documents, and
- Automatic summarizing can help speed up case reviews.
The department’s digital efforts are aimed at increasing efficiency while maintaining fair application handling.
Final Thoughts
While IRCC has made significant progress in areas such as study permit processing, mounting backlogs in critical programs such as Express Entry and work permits demonstrate the persistent strain on Canada’s immigration system. As application numbers remain high, ongoing innovation, distribution of resources, and policy changes will be critical to guaranteeing prompt decisions and maintaining public trust in the immigration system.
