IRCC Processing Times See Shifts Across Programs
Since mid-July, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada—better known as IRCC—has made several updates to its processing times, and these shifts are being felt across a wide range of immigration programs. While some categories have remained steady, others have seen noticeable increases or decreases, and the differences vary depending on the type of application and even the country it’s coming from.
Let’s start with permanent residence. Express Entry, Canada’s most popular pathway for skilled workers, has remained relatively stable. The Canadian Experience Class still takes about five months, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program has stretched slightly from six to seven months. The Provincial Nominee Program is a bit of a mixed bag: enhanced PNP applications stayed at eight months, but base applications are now taking 20 months—up from 19 in July. The Atlantic Immigration Program also saw a small bump, now sitting at 13 months instead of 12.
Family sponsorship applications, however, are where some of the biggest delays are being noticed. Spousal sponsorships, whether through the inland stream or Family Class, are facing longer waits. For example, Family Class applications outside Quebec have increased from 11 months to 13 months. In Quebec, the timelines are even longer, with some categories jumping by as much as four months since mid-July.
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Temporary residence applications show a very mixed picture. Visitor visas from abroad now depend heavily on the applicant’s country. For India, wait times have nearly doubled—from 28 days to 58 days—while Nigeria has actually seen improvement, dropping from 56 days down to 32. The Philippines and the United States are also showing shorter waits. Within Canada, visitor visas are being processed a bit faster, now averaging around 14 days compared to 18 back in July. Visitor record extensions have also sped up slightly, falling from 193 days to 176.
Work permits are also shifting, with timelines varying significantly by country. Applications from India now take about eight weeks, compared to seven in July. Pakistan saw the sharpest increase, rising from five weeks to nine. On the other hand, applicants from Nigeria and the United States are experiencing shorter waits than before. Inside Canada, work permit processing times have ticked upward a little, now sitting at 188 days.
For study permits, things are again mixed. Applications from India remain steady at three weeks, but in countries like Nigeria, the wait has stretched from five weeks to eight. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Pakistan are actually seeing improvements. Within Canada, processing times for study permits have shortened from 12 weeks to 10, while extensions have also been reduced modestly.
Finally, when it comes to citizenship, the news is relatively stable. Citizenship grants continue to take about 10 months, and proof of citizenship certificates remain at five months.
So, what’s the takeaway? Processing times are always subject to change, often depending on demand, backlogs, or even seasonal surges. While some applicants may be frustrated by added months, others might be pleasantly surprised at shorter waits. Either way, the key message is clear: staying updated on the latest IRCC timelines is essential for anyone planning their move, study, work, or family reunification in Canada.
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