IRCC Changes Processing Times Across Immigration Categories : What Applicants Need to Know
IRCC Updates Application Processing Times Across Immigration Categories
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a fresh update regarding anticipated processing times for various immigration and citizenship applications. From September 10, 2025, onward, such an update indicates how long applicants should anticipate waiting to be issued decisions regarding study permits, work permits, visitor visas, applications for permanent residence, and citizenship. Based on data observed, anticipated processing times have significantly changed since July 23, 2025.
This is a general update, especially for immigrants who will be moving to or staying in Canada. What is outlined below is a close examination of revised timelines for various immigration streams.
Temporary Residence Applications
Study Permits
| Applying from | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada* | 6 weeks | 12 weeks |
| India | 4 weeks | 3 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | 11 weeks |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | 5 weeks |
IRCC’s service standard is 4 months for applications for study permits for study in Canada and 2 months for applications from outside Canada.
Work Permits
| Applying from | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 190 days | 182 days |
| India | 8 weeks | 7 weeks |
| United States | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Pakistan | 12 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Nigeria | 22 weeks | 12 weeks |
Visitor Visas
| Applying from | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 13 days | 25 days |
| India | 63 days | 28 days |
| United States* | 24 days | 21 days |
| Pakistan | 48 days | 36 days |
| Nigeria | 31 days | 56 days |
14 days is the standard service level for Visitor Visa applications lodged overseas.
Super Visa
| Applying from | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| India | 139 days | 139 days |
| United States* | 89 days | 87 days |
| Pakistan | 112 days | 126 days |
| Nigeria | 55 days | 57 days |
| Philippines | 71 days | 74 days |
Economic Immigration
Express Entry
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 months | 5 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | 6 months | 6 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | N/A | N/A |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced (online via Express Entry) | 8 months | 8 months |
| Base* | 19 months | 19 months |
Quebec Immigration
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) | 11 months | 9 months |
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| AIP | 13 months | 12 months |
Family Sponsorship Stream
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or partner inside Canada (outside Quebec) | 23 months | 34 months |
| Spouse or partner inside Canada (Quebec) | 53 months | 38 months |
| Spouse or partner outside Canada (outside Quebec) | 15 months | 11 months |
| Spouse or partner outside Canada (Quebec) | 41 months | 37 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program (outside Quebec) | 26 months | 36 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program (Quebec) | 41 months | 48 months |
Spouses sponsored abroad process within 12 months with a service standard but others follow different schedules with no standard.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
| Applying from | Latest processing time | Service standard |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 29 months | N/A |
Historical data for such a category is also scanty, and service norms have also never been formulated.
Citizenship Applications
| Stream | Latest processing time | Processing time as of July 23, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship grant | 11 months | 10 months |
| Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) | 5 months | 5 months |
How are the Processing Times Determined by IRCC
IRCC derives its timelines from two different measures:
- Historical processing times - How long IRCC took to process 80% of applications from a particular type.
- Future-looking processing times - An estimate using today's volume of applications in our systems and the anticipated processing volume monthly.
- Express Entry categories (CEC, FSWP, PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program
- Family sponsorships (spouse, partner, parents, grandparents)
- Citizenship grants and certificates
Alternatively, service standards are IRCC-set fixed targets to process the majority of applications “under normal circumstances.”
While the department makes an effort to complete 80% of cases within such targets, some complex cases take longer than that. Unlike processing times that are updated frequently but often enough regularly, service standards also aren’t updated often enough and are not available for select applications.
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.
What It Means to Prospective Students
While a few groups, such as visitor records and study permits, improve, others, such as family sponsorships and a few TRV applications, take longer. These changes make it necessary for applicants to remain informed about IRCC’s bi-weekly adjustments in processing times and organize their immigration process in a way.
