Canada Updates Immigration Timelines for December 2025

Canada’s immigration department has released fresh processing time estimates as of December 23, 2025, giving applicants a clearer idea of how long different applications may take in the months ahead. These timelines affect thousands of people who plan to study, work, reunite with family, or settle permanently in Canada.

Processing times matter because they shape real-life plans. Families wait to reunite, workers prepare for new jobs, students plan their studies, and newcomers arrange travel and housing. The latest update shows where delays remain and where timelines hold steady.

Clearer Estimates, Not Promises

The department now bases its timelines on how long 80 per cent of recent applications actually took to process. This approach replaced the old system that relied on fixed targets. While the new method offers a more realistic picture, the department does not promise exact results.

Several factors can still change wait times. These include security checks, background reviews, the country where someone applies, missing documents, and staffing levels. Applicants should treat the estimates as guidance, not deadlines.

Citizenship Applications Hold Steady

Citizenship processing times remain unchanged from last month. Citizenship grants still take about 13 months, while citizenship certificates require around nine months. The number of people waiting continues to grow slowly. Applications from outside Canada or the United States may take longer.

Officials currently confirm receipt for citizenship files sent in mid-September 2025.

Permanent Resident Cards See Minor Shifts

Permanent resident card timelines show small changes. New cards now take about 55 days, while renewals take roughly 34 days. Renewals improved slightly, but new cards face a modest increase in wait time.

Family Sponsorship Faces Long Delays

Family sponsorship remains one of the slowest areas. Spousal applications inside and outside Canada still take between 14 and 20 months in most cases. Applications linked to Quebec take much longer, often close to three years.

Parents and grandparents sponsorship shows some improvement, but waits still stretch beyond three years. Quebec cases again take longer because applicants must clear both provincial and federal steps.

Humanitarian Cases Wait the Longest

Humanitarian and protected person applications continue to face the longest delays. Many applicants wait close to or more than ten years for decisions. These timelines changed little since last month and remain a major concern for affected families.

Passports Remain Reliable

Passport services remain stable and predictable. In-person passport applications within Canada usually take 10 business days. Mail-in applications take about 20 business days. Urgent and express services continue to meet their timelines.

Economic Immigration Stays Mostly Stable

Most economic immigration programs, including Express Entry streams, show no change. Processing times range from six to seven months for key programs. Business-related and Atlantic programs still face very long delays, some exceeding several years.

Temporary Visas Show Mixed Results

Visitor, study, and work permits show wide variation by country. Some countries saw faster study permit processing, while others experienced longer waits for work permits. Applications made from inside Canada continue to take much longer than those filed from abroad.

Planning Ahead Remains Essential

The December update confirms uneven processing across programs. Quebec applications move slower, humanitarian cases face extreme delays, and temporary permits fluctuate often. Applicants should submit complete documents, watch updates closely, and plan with flexibility as processing times continue to shift.