Canada recorded more than 107,000 asylum applications in 2025 as thousands of people sought refugee protection from different parts of the world amid growing humanitarian and economic pressures.
Latest figures published by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada showed that the number of asylum requests continued to rise alongside a growing backlog of unresolved applications.
The data covering January to December 2025 revealed that 107,802 claims were referred for processing during the period under review.
Out of the total applications processed, 50,067 claims were approved, while 14,619 were rejected after assessment by immigration authorities.
The report also recorded 7,944 abandoned applications and 6,832 claims that were withdrawn or administratively closed, bringing completed cases to 79,462.
The figures further showed that several countries accounted for a large share of successful asylum claims granted by Canadian authorities.
Haiti — 4,511 claims
Haiti recorded the highest number of approved asylum claims in Canada during 2025 with 4,511 successful applications.
The IRB data showed that 14,192 claims from Haitian nationals were referred for processing during the year.
Despite the approvals, the country still has 29,349 pending applications awaiting final decisions from immigration authorities.
Türkiye — 4,057 claims
Türkiye ranked second among countries with the highest approved asylum claims.
Canadian authorities approved 4,057 claims from Turkish applicants during the review period.
The data also showed that 227 claims were rejected, while more than 4,100 applications remain unresolved.
Nigeria — 3,463 claims
Nigeria recorded 3,463 approved asylum claims from a total of 6,765 applications referred for assessment.
The figures also indicated that 1,377 Nigerian applications were rejected during the year.
More than 21,000 Nigerian asylum claims are still pending before Canadian immigration authorities.
Iran — 3,456 claims
Iran posted 3,456 successful asylum claims from 7,114 applications processed in 2025.
The report did not list any rejected Iranian claims within the published data.
A total of 11,448 Iranian applications remain pending and are yet to receive final decisions.
Mexico — 3,012 claims
Mexico recorded 3,012 approved asylum applications during the year under review.
Out of 5,385 claims submitted by Mexican nationals, 1,836 were rejected by immigration authorities.
The country also has one of the largest unresolved caseloads with 24,059 applications still awaiting determination.
Pakistan — 2,763 claims
Pakistan secured 2,763 approved asylum claims from 3,650 applications referred for processing.
The data showed that 462 Pakistani claims were rejected in 2025.
A further 8,727 applications from Pakistani nationals are still pending before the board.
Colombia — 2,264 claims
Colombia also featured among countries with a high number of approved asylum requests in Canada.
The IRB approved 2,264 claims from Colombian applicants during the year.
At the same time, 574 applications were rejected, while 8,704 claims remain unresolved.
The latest figures reflect the increasing pressure on Canada’s asylum system as migration applications continue to rise from different regions of the world.
The data also highlights the growing backlog facing immigration authorities as thousands of asylum seekers continue to await decisions on their applications.
