Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) backlog continued its downward trajectory in the latest figures covering the period to March 31, 2026. An application is considered backlogged if it has not been processed within IRCC’s service standards.
Key changes since the prior month show Express Entry backlogs at 10%, the lowest on record since IRCC began publishing the metric (down from 11% in February). Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) backlogs fell to 38% from 40%. Study permit backlogs declined to 40% from 46%. Work permit backlogs rose to 34% from 27%. Visitor visa backlogs eased to 46% from 48%. Citizenship grants remained steady at 23%.
IRCC’s total inventories stood at 2,154,300 applications as of March 31, with 1,219,300 processed within service standards and 935,000 in backlog.
Permanent residence applications: 1,019,200 PR applications in inventory; 477,100 (47%) processed within service standards; 542,100 (backlog). This category includes Express Entry, enhanced PNP, and family sponsorship (outside Quebec). The Express Entry backlog reached a record low of 10%, well below IRCC’s 20% forecast and markedly better than 32% in November 2025.
From January 1 to March 31, 2026, IRCC made 112,600 PR decisions and welcomed 83,000 new permanent residents.
Temporary residence applications: 865,000 in inventory as of March 31, up by 40,500 from February. 533,600 (62%) processed within service standards; 331,400 in backlog. This category covers work permits and study permits (excluding extensions), as well as visitor visa applications. The work permit backlog rose to 34% (from 27%); study permits backlogged at 40% (down from 46%, above the projected 31%); visitor visas backlog at 46% (down from 48%). From January 1 to March 31, 2026, 467,500 work permit decisions and 106,800 study permit decisions (including extensions) were finalized.
Citizenship grants: 270,100 citizenship grant applications in inventory; 208,600 (77%) processed within service standards; 61,500 backlog (23%). This 23% backlog level has persisted since August 2025. From April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, IRCC welcomed 285,500 new citizens.
IRCC explains that service standards set internal targets—roughly 80% of applications should be finalized within the standard window, with the remaining 20% potentially requiring longer processing due to complexity, documentation gaps, or additional security screening. Express Entry typically carries a six-month standard, while family sponsorship sits around 12 months. Maple News will continue tracking IRCC processing times and backlog trends as Canada’s immigration system adjusts to shifting demand.