IRCC Backlog Grows Despite Study Permit Progress in Canada
As of June 30, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reports a backlog of 842,800 applications. This is a noticeable increase from the 802,000 applications recorded at the end of May, reflecting a rise of about 5.02%.
To give you a clearer picture, let’s look at the backlog situation over the past six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | 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% |
The total applications in IRCC’s inventory reached 2,189,500, with approximately 1,346,700 processed within their service standards by the end of June.
What is a Backlog?
A backlog occurs when applications exceed the IRCC’s standard processing times. For example, applications through the Express Entry system aim to be processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications target 12 months. Any application not finalized within these times is considered part of the backlog.
IRCC strives to process 80% of applications within their stated processing times, though some may take longer due to complexity or additional documentation.
Current Status of Permanent Residency Applications
As of June 30, 2025, IRCC’s backlog for permanent residence (PR) applications stands at 415,800, out of a total of 896,100 applications in inventory for PR programs. This includes routes like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and family sponsorship.
To put things in perspective, 54% of PR applications were processed within standard timelines, which means that there’s been a slight increase in the backlog compared to the previous month.
The percentage of Express Entry applications in the backlog also saw a rise, hitting 20%, while the PNP applications—particularly those aligned with Express Entry—rose sharply from 24% in November to 48% in June.
Temporary Resident Permits and Citizenship Applications
As for temporary resident permits, there were 1,040,700 applications, with about 661,100 processed within standard timelines, which leaves about 379,600 in the backlog. This group includes applications for work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
While the backlog for work permits rose slightly to 40%, the situation is improving for study permits, which dropped to 18%—below the target backlog of 20% for the first time since June 2024!
The citizenship application backlog remains steady at 19%, which is within acceptable targets.
How is IRCC Addressing the Backlog?
IRCC has been implementing advanced analytics and automation to assist immigration officers with sorting applications and managing complex cases. This approach aims to streamline processing and reduce delays.
If you’re considering making Canada your new home, keep an eye on the evolving landscape of immigration and job opportunities. Our website, VisaJobsCanada.com, focuses specifically on Canadian jobs that offer visa sponsorship to international applicants. You’ll find valuable resources and support as you navigate your journey.
Need help or just curious?
Ask your question in the comments. Someone else may be wondering the same thing.
