Processing times for a wide variety of Canadian immigration applications have evolved in the last year. For people hoping to come to Canada, be it permanently or temporarily – it’s essential to understand how IRCC processing times have changed since July 2024. Small delays can affect travel, work, studies, or reuniting with family. So, here’s a clear breakdown to help you plan your next steps with confidence.
So, without further delay, let’s get started!
Permanent Residence Applications
As IRCC processing times have changed since July 2024, the first thing to know about is the permanent residence applications.
Express Entry
Among Canada’s different permanent residence pathways, Express Entry remains one of the most popular—and the good news is that wait times have stayed quite stable over the past year. Compared to some other immigration streams, Express Entry timelines haven’t changed much, which is helpful for skilled workers aiming to make Canada home.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 months | 5 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | 6 months | 5 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | N/A | N/A |
Note: IRCC still does not provide specific processing times for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The department cites that there is “not enough data” to publish reliable timelines for this stream.
IRCC Service Standard: The official goal is to process Express Entry applications within 180 days (6 months).
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Processing times under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have generally lengthened, especially for applicants going through the base PNP process (not linked to Express Entry).
Those using an enhanced PNP stream (aligned with Express Entry) continue to benefit from faster timelines overall.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| Through Express Entry | 8 months | 6 months |
| Not through Express Entry | 19 months | 11 months |
IRCC Service Standards:
- 11 months for base PNP applications submitted online
- 180 days (6 months) for enhanced PNP applications submitted through Express Entry
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has become an increasingly popular option for newcomers interested in Canada’s Atlantic provinces. But wait times here have grown longer than they were in mid-2024.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 12 months | 7 months |
Though the AIP does not have a formal IRCC service standard, applicants can get special work permits valid for up to two years while their permanent residence application is being processed—allowing them to settle in and start contributing to the local economy sooner.
Spousal Sponsorship
Family reunification remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration system. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. However, processing times vary greatly depending on which category you apply under—and whether you plan to live in Quebec or elsewhere.
| Class And Destination | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| SCLPC, outside Quebec | 34 months | 11 months |
| Family Class, outside Quebec | 11 months | 10 months |
| SCLPC, in Quebec | 38 months | 28 months |
| Family Class, in Quebec | 37 months | 32 months |
One of the biggest jumps this year is in the SCLPC (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class) category outside Quebec—where wait times have risen by 23 months. Families waiting to reunite will want to plan for this extended period.
IRCC Service Standard: 12 months for Family Class overseas sponsorships.
Note: There’s no official service standard for SCLPC sponsorships.
Temporary Residence Applications
Visitor Visas
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required for visitors from many countries. How long you wait depends on where you apply from—and these times have shifted for better or worse over the last year.
Outside Canada:
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| India | 28 days | 51 days |
| Pakistan | 36 days | 47 days |
| Nigeria | 56 days | 182 days |
| Philippines | 33 days | 27 days |
| United States | 21 days | 29 days |
Nigeria has seen the biggest improvement—a significant drop from 182 days to just 56 days. Conversely, the Philippines is the only country listed here with a slight increase.
IRCC Service Standard: 14 days for visitor visa applications submitted outside Canada.
Inside Canada:
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 18 days | 25 days |
Although most TRVs are issued abroad, you can apply from within Canada in certain situations.
Visitor Records
A visitor record allows someone to extend their stay or change conditions while in Canada. Unfortunately, this is one area where timelines have lengthened since July 2024.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 193 days | 108 days |
This nearly three-month increase makes it crucial to apply for extensions well before your current status expires.
Work Permits
Work permit applications have different processing times depending on whether you apply from inside or outside Canada.
In most cases, people need to apply for a work permit from outside Canada, and the processing time depends on the country where the application is submitted.
Outside Canada
When you apply for a work permit from abroad, the time it takes to process your application will vary by country.
The table below shows how processing times for work permit applications compare for the five countries mentioned, both as of July 24, 2024, and at the time of writing.
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| India | 7 weeks | 19 weeks |
| Pakistan | 5 weeks | 24 weeks |
| Nigeria | 12 weeks | 14 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | 9 weeks |
| United States | 4 weeks | 18 weeks |
The good news is that processing times for most countries have shortened significantly, particularly for India, Pakistan, and the US.
Inside Canada:
If they meet IRCC’s eligibility requirements, some foreign nationals can apply for a work permit from within Canada.
As of now, the processing time for in-Canada work permit applications has risen by over 10 weeks
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 182 days | 109 days |
Within Canada, work permit processing times have increased by more than 10 weeks this year, so applicants should plan ahead.
IRCC Service Standards:
- 60 days for initial work permit applications submitted outside Canada
- 120 days for initial work permits or extensions submitted inside Canada
Study Permits
The processing time for study permit applications depends on whether they’re submitted from within Canada or from abroad.
For applications made outside Canada, processing times vary by country, so an applicant’s location plays an important role.
Outside Canada
Here’s how current processing times for study permit applications compare to those at the end of July 2024:
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| India | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Pakistan | 11 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Nigeria | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Philippines | 10 weeks | 8 weeks |
| United States | 7 weeks | 9 weeks |
Inside Canada:
IRCC’s processing times for study permit applications submitted from within Canada have gone slightly up when compared to approximately one year ago.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 12 weeks | 10 weeks |
Study Permit Extensions:
This area has seen a dramatic jump over the last year.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 180 days | 58 days |
IRCC Service Standards:
- 120 days for initial in-Canada study permits
- 60 days for initial study permits from abroad
Citizenship And Proof Of Citizenship
To wrap up how IRCC processing times have changed since July 2024, here’s what’s happening with citizenship applications.
Citizenship Grants
Processing times for citizenship grants have risen by about three months over the past year.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 10 months | 7 months |
This timeline applies whether your application is filed from inside or outside Canada.
IRCC Service Standard: 12 months for citizenship grants.
Citizenship Certificates (Proof of Citizenship)
Processing times for citizenship certificates are generally faster than other streams, but they’ve lengthened slightly over the past year.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 24, 2024 |
| 5 months | 3 months |
If you’re applying from outside Canada or the US—or through a Canadian embassy or consulate—you should add an extra three to four months to your timeline.
It’s important to remember that IRCC does not publish an official service standard for processing citizenship certificates. A citizenship certificate is an official document confirming your Canadian citizenship status. If you were born abroad and became a citizen by descent, you must apply for proof—it’s not given automatically.
Processing Times vs. Service Standards: Know The Difference!
Processing times and service standards aren’t the same. Understanding how they differ will help you manage expectations.
Processing Times
Processing times are estimates of how long it usually takes IRCC to complete an application—from when they receive it to when they make a decision. They’re based on real historical data and current backlogs. Published timelines are averages only—your case could be quicker or longer.
IRCC updates these estimates regularly to reflect normal operating conditions and seasonal changes in application volumes.
Service Standards
Service standards, on the other hand, are internal targets IRCC aims for—typically, they strive to process about 80% of applications within the target timeframe. But they’re not guaranteed. About 20% of cases will take longer due to their complexity or unique circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning to study, work, visit, reunite with family, or settle permanently in Canada, understanding how IRCC processing times have changed since July 2024 can help you avoid surprises.
If you have a complex case or tight deadlines, consult a trusted immigration representative for personalized advice. Staying informed and planning ahead is the best way to make your journey to Canada as smooth as possible.
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