Canada immigration backlog drops below one million as work permit delays ease and study visa waits rise

Canada’s immigration backlog fell below one million at the end of January 2026, marking the first time since October 2025, even as delays in study permits increased and work permit processing improved.

According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the total backlog stood at 990,300 applications as of January 31, as reported by CIC News. The overall application inventory was 2,092,000, down by 35,500 compared to December. Of these, 1,101,700 applications were processed within service standards.

Work permits improve, study delays rise

As per the CIC News report, the most significant shift was seen in work permits, where the backlog dropped to 38% from 46% in December. In contrast, the study permit backlog rose sharply to 50%, up from 36% in the previous two months. This is the highest level recorded since 2022.

Visitor visa delays showed some easing, with 54% of applications in backlog, the lowest since June 2025.

In January, the department finalised 136,700 work permit applications and 34,200 study permit applications.

Permanent residence backlog trends
As of January-end, permanent residence applications in inventory rose to 995,500, an increase of 21,700 from the previous month. Of these, 460,200 were processed within service standards, leaving 535,300 applications in backlog.

The backlog for Express Entry applications declined to 15%, compared to 20% a month earlier. Backlogs in Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program applications also fell to 42% from 48%.

However, family sponsorship applications saw a slight increase in backlog to 22%, exceeding the projected level of 20%.

During the month, 32,400 permanent residence applications were processed, and 24,100 new permanent residents were admitted.

Temporary residence applications decline
Temporary residence applications, which include work permits, study permits and visitor visas, fell to 845,400, down by 65,500 compared to December.

Of these, 450,700 applications were processed within service standards, while 394,700 remained in backlog.

Citizenship applications within target
As per CIC News report, citizenship grant applications stood at 251,100 at the end of January, a decline of 8,300 from the previous month. The backlog rate remained at 24%, within the department’s target of 25%.

Between April 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, Canada granted citizenship to 227,300 individuals.

Service standards and backlog definition
IRCC defines service standards as the time taken to process 80% of applications in each category. Applications that exceed these timelines are classified as backlog.

For example, Express Entry applications are generally processed within six months, while family sponsorship applications are targeted within 12 months. The department noted that around 20% of applications may take longer due to complexity or additional verification.

The latest data indicates a shift in processing priorities, with faster movement in work permits and Express Entry applications, while study permit delays continue to rise.