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Express Entry Application Backlog Hits Three-Year High: What It Means for Canadian Immigration Applicants in 2026

ICC Immigration Inc > Blogs > Announcement > Express Entry Application Backlog Hits Three-Year High: What It Means for Canadian Immigration Applicants in 2026

Canada’s immigration system is under renewed pressure as the Express Entry application backlog has reached its highest level in nearly three years, according to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on January 20, 2026.

As of November 30, 2025, IRCC reported over 1 million applications in backlog, highlighting growing delays across permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship applications. For prospective immigrants, international students, and foreign workers, understanding these numbers is critical to planning a successful immigration strategy.

IRCC Backlog at a Glance: November 2025

By the end of November 2025:

  • Total applications in IRCC inventory: 2.13 million

  • Applications exceeding service standards (backlog): 1,005,800

  • Applications processed within service standards: 1,124,900

While the overall backlog showed a marginal month-to-month decrease, the Express Entry backlog increased sharply, raising concerns for skilled workers relying on Canada’s flagship PR system.

Why the Express Entry Backlog Is Concerning

The most striking development is within Express Entry permanent residence applications:

  • 32% of Express Entry applications are now backlogged

  • This is well above IRCC’s projected 25% target

  • The last time backlog levels were this high was October 2022

Additionally, Express Entry–aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications saw backlog levels rise to 53%, the highest since early 2022. This suggests increased strain not only at the federal level, but also within provincial nomination streams.

On a positive note, family sponsorship applications remained stable, with backlog levels holding at 20%, indicating relatively consistent processing for family reunification.

Permanent Residence Applications: The Bigger Picture

As of November 30, IRCC had 941,600 permanent residence applications in its system. Of these:

  • 515,000 applications were considered backlogged

  • Only 45% were processed within service standards

Despite these delays, IRCC finalized over 414,000 PR decisions between January and November 2025, welcoming 367,500 new permanent residents. This indicates that while processing is slower, Canada remains committed to its long-term immigration targets.

Temporary Residence Backlog: Mixed Results

The temporary resident application backlog showed some improvement:

  • Total TR applications dropped to 942,000

  • Backlog reduced to 434,400 applications

Key highlights include:

  • Study permit backlog dropped significantly to 36%, outperforming IRCC projections

  • Work permit backlog slightly improved to 49%, but remains higher than expected

  • Visitor visa backlog stayed high at 57%, exceeding IRCC targets for the third consecutive month

These trends are especially important for applicants planning to transition from study permits or work permits to permanent residence in Canada.

Citizenship Applications Also Seeing Delays

Canadian citizenship grants are not immune to backlog pressures. As of November 2025:

  • 23% of citizenship applications were backlogged

  • This marks the fifth straight monthly increase

Still, IRCC granted citizenship to over 25,000 new Canadians in just one month, reflecting ongoing progress despite processing delays.

What Are IRCC Service Standards—and Why They Matter

IRCC aims to finalize 80% of applications within established service standards, such as:

  • 6 months for Express Entry

  • 12 months for family sponsorship

  • Varying timelines for work permits, study permits, and citizenship

Applications exceeding these timelines are officially categorized as part of the immigration backlog, often due to complexity, verification checks, or missing documentation.

How ICC Immigration Can Help You Secure Your Future in Canada

With immigration backlogs at record levels, professional guidance is no longer optional—it’s essential.

ICC Immigration specializes in helping clients navigate Canada’s evolving immigration system with confidence and clarity. Our experienced team focuses on legal, structured, and future-oriented pathways, helping you avoid uncertainty and unnecessary delays.

Our Core Immigration Services Include:

  • Permanent Residency Applications through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and alternative PR pathways

  • Work Permits and Study Permits designed to support long-term settlement in Canada

  • Family Sponsorship Applications to help reunite loved ones efficiently

  • Expert Legal Immigration Advice to ensure compliance with IRCC regulations and reduce refusal risks

Instead of relying on uncertain or high-risk options, ICC Immigration helps you choose stable, lawful pathways that offer a clear route to Permanent Residency in Canada.

Final Thoughts

The rise in the Express Entry backlog signals a more competitive and complex immigration environment in 2026. Strategic planning, accurate documentation, and expert representation can make a decisive difference.

Whether you are already in Canada or planning your journey from abroad, ICC Immigration is ready to support you at every step—helping you move forward with confidence, clarity, and long-term security.