On September 23, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the latest backlog statistics, highlighting a concerning rise in the country’s immigration waitlists. The total backlog surged by 57,150 applications in just one month, reaching 958,850 as of August 31, 2025. Compared to June 30, which recorded a backlog of 842,800 and a total inventory of 2,189,500, these numbers underscore ongoing processing challenges.
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While the overall inventory of applications slightly declined to 2,199,400 from July’s 2,226,600, the backlog now represents 43.6% of all pending cases, signaling efficiency issues. With immigrants contributing roughly 23% of Canada’s population and nearly 29% of its labour force, such delays impact productivity across sectors, from healthcare to technology startups. This report breaks down the backlog category-wise and analyzes processing trends, offering valuable insights for applicants, stakeholders, and policymakers.
IRCC 2025 Immigration Backlog: The Big Picture
IRCC’s September 2025 report paints a picture of a system under strain. Between January 1 and August 31, 2025, the department processed high volumes of applications while aiming to meet the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which sets a 395,000 permanent resident target for 2025—down from 485,000 in 2024—to ease pressures on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
| Category | Total Inventory (Aug 31) | Total Inventory (Jul 31) | Backlogged (Aug 31) | Backlogged (Jul 31) | Within Standards (Aug 31) | Within Standards (Jul 31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 259,500 | 254,900 | 51,200 | 48,800 | 208,300 | 206,100 |
| Permanent Residency | 901,800 | 892,400 | 470,300 | 443,500 | 431,500 | 448,900 |
| Temporary Residency | 1,038,100 | 1,079,300 | 437,300 | 409,400 | 600,750 | 669,900 |
| Total | 2,199,400 | 2,226,600 | 958,850 | 901,700 | 1,240,550 | 1,324,900 |
From June to August, total inventory grew slightly by 9,900 (+0.5%), peaking in July before a small August dip. The backlog, however, rose sharply by 116,050 (+13.8%), including +57,150 from July to August. Within-standard applications fell to 1,240,550 (56.4%), a drop of 106,150 (-7.9%) over two months, further highlighting processing delays.
Citizenship Applications
Citizenship applications show steady growth and relatively manageable delays.
- Inventory (Aug 31): 259,500
- Backlogged: 51,200 (19.7%)
- Within Standards: 208,300 (80.3%)
Month-on-Month Changes (Jul–Aug):
- Inventory: +4,600 (+1.8%)
- Backlog: +2,400 (+4.9%)
- Within Standards: +2,200 (+1.1%)
Since June 30:
- Inventory: +6,800 (+2.7%)
- Backlog: +3,800 (+8.0%)
- Within Standards: +3,000 (+1.5%)
Most applications are processed within the 12-month standard, with minimal delays. Applicants in high-volume regions like Ontario may experience slightly longer waits. Adult grants dominate the backlog, while minors’ applications are typically processed faster (8–10 months).
Permanent Residency Applications
Permanent residency applications represent the largest portion of the backlog.
- Inventory (Aug 31): 901,800
- Backlogged: 470,300 (52.1%)
- Within Standards: 431,500 (47.9%)
Month-on-Month Changes (Jul–Aug):
- Inventory: +9,400 (+1.1%)
- Backlog: +26,800 (+6.0%)
- Within Standards: -17,400 (-3.9%)
Since June 30:
- Inventory: +5,700 (+0.6%)
- Backlog: +54,500 (+13.1%)
- Within Standards: -48,800 (-10.2%)
Sub-streams:
- Economic/Express Entry: ~280,000 backlogged, median 6–8 months
- Family Sponsorships: ~90,000 backlogged, median 18 months
Permanent residency drives Canada’s economy, but the rising backlog signals capacity constraints. Only 47.9% of applications are processed within standards.
Temporary Residency Applications
Temporary residency covers study, work, and visitor permits.
- Inventory (Aug 31): 1,038,100
- Backlogged: 437,300 (42.1%)
- Within Standards: 600,750 (57.9%)
Month-on-Month Changes (Jul–Aug):
- Inventory: -41,200 (-3.8%)
- Backlog: +27,900 (+6.8%)
- Within Standards: -69,150 (-10.3%)
Since June 30:
- Inventory: -2,600 (-0.2%)
- Backlog: +57,700 (+15.2%)
- Within Standards: -60,350 (-9.1%)
Study permits (~200,000 backlogged, 4-month median) and work permits (~300,000 backlogged, 6-month median) are the main contributors. Seasonal fluctuations and permit caps impact processing efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Total backlog (Aug 31, 2025): 958,850, up 116,050 since June
- Permanent & Temporary Residency: Drive 94.6% of the backlog
- Within-standard rate: 56.4% vs. 80% IRCC target
Applicants can mitigate delays by submitting complete applications and timing filings after peak periods. While IRCC’s system shows resilience, strategic reforms and capacity improvements are crucial to sustain Canada’s global appeal.
FAQs: Canada Immigration Backlog 2025
Q1: What is the current immigration backlog?
- 958,850 applications as of Aug 31, 2025; up 58,150 (+6.3%) from July and 116,050 (+13.8%) from June 30.
Q2: How many PR applications are delayed?
- 470,300 backlogged (52.1% of category), with 431,500 (47.9%) within standards.
Q3: What about temporary residency applications?
- 1,038,100 applications, 437,300 backlogged (42.1%), with 600,750 (57.9%) within standards.
Q4: How efficient is citizenship processing?
- 259,500 applications, 51,200 backlogged (19.7%), 208,300 (80.3%) within standards.
Q5: How can applicants navigate the backlog?
- Submit complete applications with clear documentation.
- Monitor application status via IRCC’s portal.
- File during off-peak periods to benefit from lower inventory.
