Canada’s Express Entry backlog has dropped to its lowest level on record, according to IRCC’s latest application inventory update for March 31, 2026.
Only 10% of Express Entry applications were considered backlogged, down from 11% in February and far below the 32% recorded in November 2025. IRCC considers an application backlogged when it has not been finalized within the department’s normal service standard. For Express Entry, that standard is about six months.
However, the broader backlog remains significant. As of March 31, IRCC had 2,154,300 applications in its inventory, with 935,000 still considered backlogged. This was only a slight decrease from 941,400 in February.
Permanent residence applications showed mixed results. The Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program backlog fell from 40% to 38%, while family sponsorship remained unchanged at 22%. From January to March 2026, IRCC made 112,600 decisions on permanent residence applications and welcomed 83,000 new permanent residents.
Temporary residence files were more uneven. Study permit backlogs improved, falling from 46% to 40%, and visitor visa backlogs eased slightly from 48% to 46%. However, work permit backlogs increased sharply from 27% to 34%, rising above IRCC’s projected level for March.
Citizenship grant applications remained stable, with 23% of files considered backlogged. IRCC had 270,100 citizenship grant applications in its inventory at the end of March.
The latest update shows clear improvement in Express Entry processing, but it does not mean Canada’s immigration backlog problem is over. Hundreds of thousands of applicants are still waiting beyond normal processing standards, especially in temporary residence categories such as work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
