Processing Times for Visitor Visa Canada
Canada Visa Processing Time : What's New Since July 2025?
The processing time for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has fluctuated once again, and changes have been observed in nearly all immigration streams. Certain programs now experience longer delays, while others have seen slight reductions in processing times since mid-July 2025.
Below is the in-depth breakdown of locations whose processing times have improved, locations whose processing times have worsened and how they fare in terms of service quality standards IRCC.
Permanent Residency Applications
Express Entry
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Still 5 months.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 6 to 7 months.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Not formally released due to the absence of submissions.
The goals for IRCC for the processing time for Express Entry applications are 180 days. Current rates for the most part match the goal.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Applicants under the PNP have seen varied outcomes:
- Extended PNP (by way of Express Entry): No change, remains 8 months.
- Base PNP: Slightly increased from 19 months to 20 months.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The AIP, a pathway targeting settlement in Atlantic provinces, has seen a one-month increase, now averaging 13 months. A unique advantage remains—the option for applicants to obtain a work permit while their PR application is being reviewed.
Family and Partner Sponsorship
Sponsorship applications still consume inordinate time.
- Spouse/Common-Law Partner in Canada Category: Up to 36 months now (outside Quebec) and 40 months (in Quebec).
- Sponsorship Applications for Family Sponsorship: 13 months (federal) and 41 months (within Quebec).
These figures represent increases of 2–4 months since July, raising concerns for families waiting to reunite. IRCC’s official standard for overseas Family Class applications is 12 months—meaning Quebec applicants are waiting more than three times longer.
Temporary Residence Applications
Visas for Visitors Abroad (TRV)
- India: Increased sharply from 28 to 58 days.
- Pakistan: Increased from 36 to 48 days.
- Nigeria: Down from 56 days to 32 days.
- Philippines: Shortened from 33 to 20 days.
- United States: Slight rise from 21 to 23 days.
Visitor Visas for In-Country Canada Visitors
- Applicants in Canada have also enjoyed a shorter waiting time of 14 days instead of 18 in July.
- For prolongation of stay applications, the days taken for processing were reduced from 193 to 176.
Work Permit Applications Beyond Canada
Outside Canada
- India: 8 weeks (up from 7).
- Pakistan: 9 weeks (up from 5).
- Nigeria: 11 weeks (slightly shorter than 12).
- Philippines: Steady at 6 weeks.
- United States: Slightly longer at 23 days.
- United States: 3 weeks (down from 4).
Inside Canada : Inland applications submitted domestically have decreased slightly, from 182 to 188 days.
Study Permit Applications
Outside Canada
The processing times remain irregular across countries:
- India: Unchanged for 3 weeks.
- Pakistan: Reduced from 11 to 9 weeks.
- Nigeria: Increased from 5 to 8 weeks.
- Philippines: Shortened from 10 to 7 weeks.
- United States: Lengthened from 7 to 10 weeks.
Inside Canada : Sequel processing times are better now at 10 weeks average as opposed to 12 weeks in July.
Extensions : The extension of study permits has also been improved by a reduction from 180 to 164 days.
Citizenship Applications
Citizenship Grants : Nothing here either – applications still take about 10 months, within the 12-month service standard.
Evidence of Citizenship Certificates : Still taking an average of 5 months for U.S. and Canada candidates, but overseas applications can take a further 3 – 4 months.
Processing Times and Service Benchmarks
One should distinctly define the service standard and processing time:
- Processing times show how long applications have, in reality, taken according to recent statistics.
- Standards of service also mirror IRCC's desired timeframes and seek to process 80% of applications within those constraints.
- Factors like application levels, workloads, and policy adjustments continue affecting perceived wait times for patient care and can remain above or below official targets.
Metro Areas Now Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIA Applications
The following Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) now fall under the exclusion list due to jobless rates exceeding the 6% threshold:
| Family Size | Minimum Required Funds (Annual) |
|---|---|
| 1 person (student only) | CAD $22,895 |
| 2 people | CAD $28,502 |
| 3 people | CAD $35,040 |
| 4 people | CAD $42,543 |
| 5 people | CAD $48,252 |
| 6 people | CAD $54,420 |
| 7 people | CAD $60,589 |
| Additional family member | CAD $6,170 |
These figures represent a significant increase from the earlier requirement of CAD $20,635 for a single applicant, which had been in effect since January 1, 2024.
Conclusion
Recent News
- British Columbia Revises PNP Application Fees for Worker Immigration Streams
- Newcomers May Receive Hundreds of Dollars Through Canada’s Updated Benefit Program
- Big Updates Coming to Canada’s LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program 2026 : 6,403 Nominations and Priority Sectors
- New Express Entry CEC Draw Lowers CRS Score as 6,000 ITAs Issued
