Updated on December 17, 2025, 9:49 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Canada Immigration Inventory and Backlog Update
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently disclosed its latest inventory and backlog data on December 16, 2025. The total inventory stood at 2.18 million applications, a slight decrease from the previous month’s 2.2 million.
The data, reflecting figures from October 31, 2025, provides insights into processing capacity, emerging bottlenecks, and Canada’s readiness to achieve long-term permanent residency targets.
Overview of Inventory and Backlog Data
As of October 31, 2025, the total inventory was 2,182,200 applications, with a backlog of 1,006,800 applications. Permanent residency backlogs witnessed an increase, contrary to declines in temporary residence and citizenship backlogs.
- Total Citizenship Inventory (Oct 31): 254,300
- Total Permanent Residency Inventory (Oct 31): 928,800
- Total Temporary Residency Inventory (Oct 31): 999,100
Citizenship Processing and Backlogs
Citizenship applications showed signs of stabilization, with a decrease in the inventory. However, slight increases in backlogs may indicate challenges in certain application categories.
Permanent Residency Backlog
Permanent Residency remains a focal point for Canada’s immigration strategy, with growing inventories and backlogs. Despite these challenges, IRCC has made significant decisions and welcomed new PRs in 2025.
Temporary Residency Trends
Temporary Residency categories experienced positive shifts, with reductions in backlogs and inventories. Policy changes have contributed to greater efficiency in processing study and work permits.
Overall, the data provides a comprehensive view of the current state of Canada’s immigration system, highlighting areas of improvement and potential challenges for applicants.
