Refugee Protection Backlog Reaches 299452 Pending Claims in November 2025

Canada’s refugee determination system continues to face sustained operational pressure, as newly released data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) shows the number of pending refugee protection claims reached 299,452 in November 2025. Although the monthly intake of new claims has declined compared to earlier periods, the overall inventory continues to grow, highlighting ongoing capacity constraints within the system.

According to the IRB’s monthly statistics, 7,527 new refugee protection claims were filed in November 2025. During the same period, the Refugee Protection Division finalized 6,738 cases, resulting in a net increase of pending claims. While the gap between intake and finalizations has narrowed, it remains insufficient to reverse the long-term accumulation of unresolved cases.

The scale of the backlog reflects a dramatic shift over a relatively short period. In November 2023, Canada had 149,088 pending refugee protection claims, meaning the inventory has nearly doubled in just two years. This trend underscores the impact of global displacement, geopolitical instability, and increased migration pressures on Canada’s asylum system.

Slowing Intake Signals a Shift, Not a Solution

Monthly intake figures show a clear downward trend throughout 2025. Intake peaked in mid-2024, when monthly claims routinely exceeded 18,000, before gradually declining into the second half of 2025. November’s intake represents one of the lowest monthly figures in over two years.

Despite this decline, experts caution that reduced intake alone will not resolve the backlog. The volume of cases accumulated during previous high-intake periods continues to overwhelm processing capacity, even as new claims stabilize.

Processing timelines remain lengthy for many asylum seekers. Claims finalized in a given month may have been referred years earlier, meaning new applicants can still face prolonged wait times before receiving a decision. These delays create uncertainty for claimants and complicate access to employment, housing, and social services.

Refugee Appeals Add Additional Pressure

Beyond initial refugee claims, the appeals system continues to experience growth. The Refug

ee Appeal Division reported 4,283 pending appeals at the end of November 2025. Although 846 appeals were finalized during the month, filings continued to outpace decisions.

Refugee appeals include challenges by claimants whose applications were refused, as well as appeals filed by the Minister. Some cases are also returned to the division following Federal Court decisions, further contributing to the inventory.

Immigration appeals unrelated to refugee protection also rose. The Immigration Appeal Division recorded 2,489 non-stayed immigration appeals pending by the end of November. These cases involve family sponsorship refusals, residency obligation appeals, and removal orders, among others.

Systemic Challenges Persist

The IRB publishes monthly snapshot data to improve transparency, but it has noted that the figures are high-level and subject to change. Privacy protections also require the suppression of small values, meaning some totals may not align perfectly across datasets.

While recent federal budgets have emphasized border integrity and immigration system efficiency, meaningful backlog reduction will likely require sustained investments in decision-makers, administrative staff, and digital modernization. Without structural changes, even lower intake levels may not translate into faster resolution times.

As Canada balances humanitarian commitments with operational realities, refugee processing capacity remains one of the most complex challenges within the broader immigration framework. For the latest updates on refugee claims, appeals, and immigration processing trends, follow Canada Immigration News for timely data-driven coverage.