IRCC Unveils New Processing Times Update For Immigration Applicants

Canada’s immigration department has announced its latest processing times for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship applications. The new data, released this week, shows several changes since early September. Some categories now take longer, while others have seen faster results.

The department adjusts these timelines regularly to reflect real-time workloads. The changes help applicants plan their next steps more effectively and understand how long they might wait for decisions.

Permanent Residence Applications

The Express Entry system shows small shifts. The Canadian Experience Class now takes six months, up from five. The Federal Skilled Worker Program improved slightly, dropping to five months from six.

For the Provincial Nominee Program, applicants using the Express Entry-linked stream can expect processing in seven months, down from eight. The non-Express Entry stream remains steady at 19 months.

In Quebec, the Skilled Worker Selection Program continues at 11 months, with nearly 24,000 files waiting. The target service time remains six months.

The Atlantic Immigration Program stays at 13 months, though its goal is 11 months.

Family Sponsorship

The biggest change appears in spousal sponsorship. For applicants living inside Canada but planning to live in Quebec, processing now takes 37 months—up sharply from 23. Those outside Quebec see a 24-month timeline.

For spouses living outside Canada, times remain 15 months for most regions, while Quebec residents face a 41-month wait.

The Parents and Grandparents Program sits at 26 months for applicants outside Quebec and 44 months for those inside Quebec.

Meanwhile, dependent child sponsorship within Canada improved. Applications now take 12 months, down from 29. This marks a 17-month decrease, showing real progress. Outside Canada, India’s wait is six months, and Nigeria’s is 18.

Temporary Residence Applications

Visitor visas show mixed results. Processing from Canada takes 15 days. From India, it now takes 75 days, up from 63. In Pakistan, the wait slightly dropped to 46 days.

For work permits, Nigeria saw the most improvement, cutting times from 22 weeks to 11. In Canada, processing takes 196 days. Other countries remain steady, with India at eight weeks and the U.S. at three.

Study permits take seven weeks inside Canada, up slightly. Outside Canada, India’s applications finish in four weeks, while Pakistan and Nigeria require about nine weeks.

Super visas, used mainly by parents and grandparents, now take longer from Pakistan—151 days, up from 112.

Citizenship Applications

Those applying for citizenship grants now face a 13-month process, two months longer than before. Citizenship certificates or proof requests take seven months. The target for grant applications remains 12 months.

Understanding Processing and Service Standards

Processing times show how long IRCC expects to take if an applicant applies today. They depend on past data and the number of files waiting. Timely responses and accurate information from applicants also influence outcomes.

Service standards, meanwhile, are IRCC’s internal goals. The department aims to complete 80% of applications within the target period. Some complex cases may take longer.