IRCC Shares New Visa Processing Time Update – May 2025

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship department (IRCC) just released fresh updates on visa and immigration processing times as of May 13, 2025. If you're applying to study, work, visit, or live in Canada, this update will help you understand how long the process may take.

IRCC’s timeline data changes regularly. These estimates show how long it takes to process 80% of all applications. Since 2022, IRCC has been using a smart tool to give more accurate timeframes. Now, updates come weekly for temporary visas and PR cards, and monthly for citizenship and family sponsorships.

These timelines help you plan better. But they are only estimates. The actual wait may vary depending on your case.

Citizenship Application Wait Times

Here are the latest wait times for citizenship applications:

• Citizenship Grant: 10 months (previously 8 months)
  
• Citizenship Certificate: 4 months (was 3 months)
  
• Renouncing Citizenship: 7 months (improved from 8 months)
  
• Record Search: 15 months (no change)
  
• Resumption of Citizenship: Still no estimate
  

If you applied around March 31, 2025, expect to get your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) soon. Delays can happen, especially for people applying from outside Canada or the U.S.

Permanent Residency (PR) Card Timelines

Processing for PR cards has slightly increased:

• New PR Card: 43 days (up from 35 days)
  
• PR Card Renewal: 11 days (was 10 days)
  

Make sure your forms are complete to avoid longer waits.

Family Sponsorship Updates

Processing times depend on where you live and which program you applied to.

• Spouse/Common-Law (Outside Canada, not Quebec): 10 months (down from 11)
  
• Spouse/Common-Law (Outside, Quebec): 36 months (up from 35)
  
• Spouse/Common-Law (Inside Canada, not Quebec): 29 months (was 24)
  
• Spouse/Common-Law (Inside, Quebec): 36 months (no change)
  
• Parents/Grandparents (not Quebec): 36 months
  
• Parents/Grandparents (Quebec): 48 months
  

Quebec often takes longer due to its own immigration rules.

Canadian Passport Processing

Passport wait times remain the same:

• In-Person: 10 business days
  
• Mail: 20 business days
  
• Urgent Pick-Up: Next business day
  
• Express Pick-Up: 2 to 9 business days
  
• Mailed From Abroad: 20 business days
  

PR Economic Class Applications

These programs are for skilled workers and business people:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months
  
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months (improved)
  
• Express Entry PNP: 5 months (better than 6)
  
• Non-Express Entry PNP: 20 months
  
• Quebec Skilled Workers: 9 months
  
• Federal Self-Employed: 53 months (was 50)
  
• Start-Up Visa: 41 months (was 40)
  
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 11 months
  

Temporary Visa Processing Times

Visitor Visa (Outside Canada)

• India: 18 days
  
• USA: 18 days
  
• Nigeria: 96 days
  
• Pakistan: 26 days
  
• Philippines: 28 days
  

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada)

• 23 days
  

Visitor Visa Extension

• 169 days
  

Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents)

• India: 105 days
  
• USA: 79 days
  
• Nigeria: 69 days
  
• Pakistan: 173 days
  
• Philippines: 113 days
  

Study Permit Timelines

Outside Canada

• India: 9 weeks
  
• USA: 5 weeks
  
• Nigeria: 5 weeks
  
• Pakistan: 12 weeks
  
• Philippines: 15 weeks
  

Inside Canada

• 5 weeks
  

Study Permit Extension

• 234 days
  

Work Permit Processing

Outside Canada

• India: 16 weeks
  
• USA: 11 weeks
  
• Nigeria: 10 weeks
  
• Pakistan: 7 weeks
  
• Philippines: 6 weeks
  

Inside Canada

• 237 days
  

Other Temporary Visas

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): 13 days
  
• International Experience Canada (IEC): 5 weeks
  
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes to 72 hours
  

Knowing the latest IRCC processing times helps you prepare better. These estimates help set expectations and reduce stress. Stay informed and plan wisely for a smoother immigration process.