A fresh inventory release published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on December 16 and analysed on December 17, 2025 paints a mixed picture of the immigration system’s health. While total inventories fell slightly to 2.18 million files as of October 31, the number of cases exceeding service standards—the ‘backlog’—crept above the one-million mark for the first time since the summer.
Breaking down the figures Permanent-resident (PR) queues remain the biggest pressure point, with 501,300 files backlogged—over half of the PR inventory. Temporary-resident volumes (study, work and visitor) dropped below one million for the first time this year, helped by a 53 % plunge in new student and worker arrivals after Ottawa imposed permit caps and higher proof-of-funds thresholds. Citizenship inventories continued their slow descent, but a slight rise in complex cases pushed that category’s backlog to 54,800.
Why it matters for employers and applicants 1. Processing times could lengthen for family sponsorship and non-Express Entry PR streams as resources are re-allocated to large December draws. 2. Reduced inflows of international students and seasonal workers may create labour shortages in hospitality, agriculture and retail through 2026. 3. Faster study- and work-permit processing times inside Canada (down 10,400 backlogged cases) suggest in-country extensions remain the safest bet for businesses needing continuity of staff.
![New IRCC data show application backlog tops one million despite overall inventory dip]()
Whether you’re an individual applicant or an HR manager, VisaHQ can lighten the load by pre-screening documents, flagging missing data and submitting compliant files through its digital portal. Its Canada-specific hub (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) stays synced with the latest IRCC updates, giving users a real-time view of forms, fees and queue times—an easy way to avoid errors that could push an application into the backlog.
Policy backdrop The backlog uptick lands as Parliament debates Bill C-12 (Strong Borders Act), which would give the government new suspension powers over immigration programs. IRCC has simultaneously begun scaling down temporary resident targets while maintaining PR goals around 380,000 annually—a rebalancing that officials say will stabilise housing and social-service demand without hurting long-term growth.
Best practices Applicants should submit complete digital files and monitor IRCC’s monthly inventory dashboards. Employers relying on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program need to plan recruitment six to eight months ahead, given LMIA processing times and rising compliance inspections.
Breaking down the figures Permanent-resident (PR) queues remain the biggest pressure point, with 501,300 files backlogged—over half of the PR inventory. Temporary-resident volumes (study, work and visitor) dropped below one million for the first time this year, helped by a 53 % plunge in new student and worker arrivals after Ottawa imposed permit caps and higher proof-of-funds thresholds. Citizenship inventories continued their slow descent, but a slight rise in complex cases pushed that category’s backlog to 54,800.
Why it matters for employers and applicants 1. Processing times could lengthen for family sponsorship and non-Express Entry PR streams as resources are re-allocated to large December draws. 2. Reduced inflows of international students and seasonal workers may create labour shortages in hospitality, agriculture and retail through 2026. 3. Faster study- and work-permit processing times inside Canada (down 10,400 backlogged cases) suggest in-country extensions remain the safest bet for businesses needing continuity of staff.
Whether you’re an individual applicant or an HR manager, VisaHQ can lighten the load by pre-screening documents, flagging missing data and submitting compliant files through its digital portal. Its Canada-specific hub (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) stays synced with the latest IRCC updates, giving users a real-time view of forms, fees and queue times—an easy way to avoid errors that could push an application into the backlog.
Policy backdrop The backlog uptick lands as Parliament debates Bill C-12 (Strong Borders Act), which would give the government new suspension powers over immigration programs. IRCC has simultaneously begun scaling down temporary resident targets while maintaining PR goals around 380,000 annually—a rebalancing that officials say will stabilise housing and social-service demand without hurting long-term growth.
Best practices Applicants should submit complete digital files and monitor IRCC’s monthly inventory dashboards. Employers relying on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program need to plan recruitment six to eight months ahead, given LMIA processing times and rising compliance inspections.
