Canada’s Express Entry Backlog Hits Record Low

Canada’s Express Entry backlog has reached its lowest level ever, according to the latest application inventory update by IRCC as of March 31, 2026.

Only 10% of Express Entry applications are currently backlogged, a significant decrease from 11% in February and a substantial drop from the 32% backlog reported in November 2025. IRCC defines an application as backlogged when it exceeds the department’s standard processing time, which for Express Entry is approximately six months.

Despite this positive development, the overall backlog remains substantial. As of March 31, IRCC had a total of 2,154,300 applications in its inventory, with 935,000 still classified as backlogged. This represents a slight reduction from the 941,400 backlogged applications in February.

There have been varied outcomes for permanent residence applications. The backlog for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program decreased from 40% to 38%, while family sponsorship applications remained steady at 22%. Between January and March 2026, IRCC processed 112,600 permanent residence applications and welcomed 83,000 new permanent residents.

Temporary residence applications have shown mixed progress. Backlogs for study permits improved, dropping from 46% to 40%, and visitor visa backlogs slightly eased from 48% to 46%. However, work permit backlogs saw a significant increase from 27% to 34%, surpassing IRCC’s projected level for March.

Applications for citizenship grants remained consistent, with 23% of files classified as backlogged. At the end of March, IRCC had 270,100 citizenship grant applications in its inventory.

While the recent update indicates positive strides in Express Entry processing, it does not signify the end of Canada’s immigration backlog challenges. Numerous applicants are still facing delays beyond the standard processing times, particularly in temporary residence categories such as work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.