Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry immigration backlog has surged to its highest level in more than three years, according to fresh data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As of November 30, 2025, 32% of Express Entry applications were considered backlogged—meaning their processing time exceeded IRCC’s service standards—up from 27% the previous month.
The IRCC’s overall application inventory across all immigration streams stood at 2,130,700, with 1,124,900 applications being processed within service standards. While the total number of backlogged applications fell marginally by 900 compared to October, delays in key categories like Express Entry have grown.
November 2025 also recorded a peak of 1,005,800 applications in the backlog, consistent with a continuous upward trend that began mid-2025. This marks the highest backlog figure since October 2022 and indicates ongoing pressure on Canada’s immigration processing system.
Unexpectedly, study permit backlogs have declined, dropping from 41% to 36% over the same period. This contrast highlights shifting operational capacities within IRCC’s various processing streams.
Permanent residency applications, including those under Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship pathways, reached 941,600 by the end of November. This is up by 12,800 from the previous month, reinforcing concerns about growing wait times for prospective immigrants.
IRCC categorizes an application as ‘backlogged’ if it surpasses the department’s defined service standard for that particular type. These standards can vary but are typically set in weeks or months, depending on the program.
The table summarizing 2025 shows a steady monthly increase in backlogged applications after a brief decline early in the year, reflecting renewed demand and possibly capacity challenges. For instance, Express Entry backlog numbers increased steadily through the summer and fall, peaking in October and only plateauing slightly in November.
This rise in backlog comes amid Canada’s ambitious immigration targets and indicates that IRCC may need additional resources or process reforms to meet demand effectively. The immigration system’s efficiency is particularly crucial as Canada looks to attract global talent to address labour market shortages.
Stakeholders and applicants are advised to monitor processing times closely and ensure all documentation is submitted accurately to help avoid unnecessary delays. Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on developments in Canada’s immigration landscape.