IRCC Shares Latest Processing Times for May 2025

Canada’s immigration department has released the most recent processing times as of May 20, 2025. These timelines give a clear idea of how long it may take to process different applications, including visas, permanent residency (PR), citizenship, and passports.

If you're planning to visit, study, work, or settle in Canada, these updates can help you plan better.

How IRCC Shares Processing Times

IRCC updates its timelines based on real-time data. This means the information reflects the actual speed at which applications are handled. Times are now updated every week for temporary visas and PR cards. For citizenship and family sponsorships, updates come monthly.

These times are just estimates, not guarantees. Some applications may take longer, especially if they need more checks or documents.

Citizenship Applications

Processing times for Canadian citizenship have gone up in most areas:

• Citizenship Grant: Now takes 10 months (up from 8 months)
  
• Citizenship Certificate: Takes 4 months (up from 3 months)
  
• Renouncing Citizenship: Now takes 7 months (was 8 months)
  
• Citizenship Records Search: Still takes 15 months
  
• Resumption of Citizenship: No set timeline yet
  

If you applied around April 7, 2025, expect to get your receipt notice soon.

Permanent Residency (PR) Cards

PR card timelines have increased due to high demand:

• New PR Cards: Now take 47 days (was 35 days)
  
• Renewals: Now take 12 days (up by 2 days)
  

Make sure your application is complete to avoid delays.

Family Sponsorship Applications

Times vary based on location and type of application. Quebec continues to have longer wait times.

• Spouse (Outside Canada, Non-Quebec): 10 months (down from 11)
  
• Spouse (Outside Canada, Quebec): 36 months (up from 35)
  
• Spouse (Inside Canada, Non-Quebec): 29 months (was 24)
  
• Spouse (Inside Canada, Quebec): 36 months (unchanged)
  
• Parents/Grandparents (Non-Quebec): 36 months
  
• Parents/Grandparents (Quebec): 48 months
  

Quebec’s separate rules make things slower, so plan carefully.

Passport Processing

Timelines for passports have stayed the same:

• In-Person: 10 business days
  
• By Mail (Inside Canada): 20 business days
  
• Urgent Pick-Up: Next business day
  
• Express Pick-Up: 2 to 9 business days
  
• Mailed from Outside Canada: 20 business days
  

Permanent Residency for Skilled Workers

These are for skilled workers applying under economic programs:

• Canadian Experience Class: 5 months
  
• Federal Skilled Workers: 5 months (down from 6)
  
• Express Entry PNP: 5 months (down from 6)
  
• Non-Express Entry PNP: 20 months
  
• Quebec Skilled Workers: 9 months
  
• Federal Self-Employed: 53 months (up from 50)
  
• Atlantic Immigration Program: 11 months
  
• Start-Up Visa: 41 months (up from 40)
  

Temporary Resident Visas

Processing times differ by country. Here are key updates:

Visitor Visa (Outside Canada)

• India: 19 days
  
• US: 19 days (up 1 day)
  
• Nigeria: 100 days (up 4 days)
  
• Pakistan: 27 days (up 1 day)
  
• Philippines: 29 days (up 1 day)
  

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada): 23 days (up from 20)
Visitor Extension: 161 days (down by 8 days)

Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents)

• India: 82 days (down by 23)
  
• US: 94 days (up by 15)
  
• Nigeria: 61 days (down by 8)
  
• Pakistan: 172 days (down by 1)
  
• Philippines: 116 days (up by 3)
  

Study Permits

Outside Canada:

• India: 10 weeks
  
• US: 5 weeks
  
• Nigeria: 5 weeks
  
• Pakistan: 11 weeks (down 1 week)
  
• Philippines: 17 weeks (up 2 weeks)
  

Inside Canada: 5 weeks
Study Permit Extension: 236 days (up 2 days)

Work Permits

Outside Canada:

• India: 15 weeks (down 1 week)
  
• US: 9 weeks (down 2 weeks)
  
• Nigeria: 12 weeks (up 2 weeks)
  
• Pakistan: 6 weeks (down 1 week)
  
• Philippines: 6 weeks
  

Inside Canada: 238 days (up 1 day)

Other Temporary Visas

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker: 18 days (up 5)
  
• International Experience Canada: 5 weeks
  
• eTA (Online Travel Approval): Usually 5 minutes, sometimes up to 72 hours
  

Why This Update Matters

Knowing how long your application may take can help you prepare better. These timelines help people reunite with family, start jobs, or continue studies. If you're planning a move to Canada, use this guide to stay informed.