IRCC processing times have shifted since mid-July, i.e., there have been noticeable shifts – some minor, others more significant, in IRCC’s processing times across various application categories.
Today, we will discuss the latest changes to processing times for applications covering permanent residence, temporary residence, work permits, study permits, and Canadian citizenship.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Permanent Residence Applications
Express Entry
When it comes to Express Entry, changes since July have been relatively modest. Some federal programs remain stable, while others have experienced a slight increase in processing times.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 months | 5 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | 7 months | 6 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | N/A | N/A |
Note that IRCC continues to avoid publishing processing times for FSTP applications, citing “insufficient data” as the reason.
IRCC service standard: 180 days.
Express Entry remains the most widely used economic immigration pathway, designed to attract skilled workers who can contribute to Canada’s labour market.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Applicants under the Provincial Nominee Program haven’t seen any decrease in processing times. While enhanced PNP streams have held steady, base applications are now facing slightly longer waits.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| Through Express Entry (enhanced) | 8 months | 8 months |
| Not through Express Entry (base) | 20 months | 19 months |
Enhanced applications remain unchanged since July, but base applications have stretched out by another month.
IRCC service standards:
- 11 months for base PNP applications submitted online.
- 180 days for enhanced PNP applications filed electronically.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Processing under the Atlantic Immigration Program has become slightly slower compared to mid-July.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 13 months | 12 months |
The AIP remains appealing, though, because applicants can apply for a temporary work permit that allows them to work in Canada for up to two years while their PR application is being processed.
Currently, IRCC does not provide formal service standards for AIP applications.
Sponsorship For Spouses And Partners
As IRCC processing grimes have shifted since mid-July, let’s now discuss regarding the sponsorship for spouses and partners.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and/or dependent child for permanent residency.
The processing time for spousal sponsorship depends on:
- Whether the application is filed under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class (SLCPC) or the Family Class category
- Whether the couple plans to live inside or outside Quebec
| Class And Destination | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| SCLP, intending to reside outside Quebec | 36 months | 34 months |
| Family Class, intending to reside outside QC | 13 months | 11 months |
| SCLP, intending to reside in Quebec | 40 months | 38 months |
| Family Class, intending to reside in Quebec | 41 months | 37 months |
Most categories have lengthened by two months, but Family Class applications within Quebec face the longest delays, i.e., up by four months.
IRCC service standard: 12 months for Family Class overseas (priority cases).
For SCLPC, no official service standard is published.
Temporary Residence Applications
Visitor Visas (TRV) – Outside Canada
Visitor visa timelines still depend heavily on the country where the application originates. Since July, some countries have faced delays, while others saw improvements.
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| India | 58 days | 28 days |
| Pakistan | 48 days | 36 days |
| Nigeria | 32 days | 56 days |
| Philippines | 20 days | 33 days |
| United States | 23 days | 21 days |
IRCC’s visitor visa processing times have risen for all listed countries except Nigeria and the Philippines.
India recorded the largest increase, with wait times growing by just over four weeks, while Nigeria experienced the biggest drop, reducing processing by nearly three and a half weeks.
IRCC service standard: 14 days.
Visitor Visas – Inside Canada
Although visitor visas are usually applied for from outside Canada, foreign nationals can also submit applications while already in the country.
Processing times for in-Canada visitor visas have slightly improved, now averaging around two weeks.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 14 days | 18 days |
IRCC does not provide service standard data for visitor visa applications submitted from within Canada.
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required for citizens of certain countries to visit Canada, while others are exempt from this requirement.
It’s important to note that TRVs are not travel documents; instead, they grant permission to enter Canada for up to six months, provided applicants meet all eligibility and entry conditions.
Visitor Records
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 176 days | 193 days |
Visitor record processing times have dropped by a little over two weeks since mid-July 2025.
IRCC does not release service standard data for visitor record applications.
Foreign nationals who wish to extend or modify their legal status in Canada may apply for a visitor record, but the application must be submitted from within the country.
Work Permit Applications
Work permit timelines vary depending on whether applicants are inside or outside Canada.
Outside Canada
Processing times differ significantly by country:
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| India | 8 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Nigeria | 11 weeks | 12 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
| United States | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
Of the countries listed, only Nigeria and the United States have recorded shorter work permit processing times.
Pakistan has faced the largest increase, with processing times rising by four months since mid-July this year.
Meanwhile, the Philippines remains unchanged, showing no increase or decrease in work permit processing times.
IRCC service standards:
- 60 days for first-time work permits filed abroad.
- 120 days for renewals/extensions within Canada.
Inside Canada
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 188 days | 182 days |
There’s been a small increase for in-Canada work permit applications, which include both new permits and extensions.
Study Permits
IRCC processing times have shifted since mid-July. Let us now discuss about the study permits.
Well, applicants can submit a study permit application from outside Canada, within Canada, or at a port of entry, if they meet the required eligibility conditions.
Processing times vary depending on whether the application is filed inside or outside Canada.
For applications made from abroad, study permit processing times also differ by the applicant’s country of residence.
Outside Canada
Most international students apply from overseas. Processing times remain variable by country.
| Country | Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| India | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | 11 weeks |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Philippines | 7 weeks | 10 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks | 7 weeks |
Nigeria and the Philippines saw notable changes, i.e., Nigeria’s timeline worsened, while the Philippines improved.
Inside Canada
Over the past two months, study permit processing times for applications submitted within Canada have dropped by about two weeks.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 10 weeks | 12 weeks |
IRCC service standards:
- 120 days for in-Canada initial study permits.
- 60 days for study permits submitted from abroad.
Study Permit Extensions
Processing times for study permit extensions have decreased modestly.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 164 days | 180 days |
Students planning to continue their studies in Canada must submit an application to extend their study permit at least 30 days before it expires.
IRCC service standard: 120 days
Canadian Citizenship
The processing time for citizenship grants and proof of citizenship certificates has remained the same since July 17, 2025.
Citizenship Grants
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 10 months | 10 months |
Citizenship grant applications are processed within the same timeline whether submitted from inside or outside Canada.
IRCC service standard: 12 months.
Currently, these applications remain within the established service standards.
The path to Canadian citizenship requires applying for a grant of citizenship and completing the naturalization process.
Proof Of Citizenship Certificates
The processing times shown below are for applications submitted from within Canada and the US.
| Current Processing Time | Processing Time As Of July 17, 2025 |
| 5 months | 5 months |
Applications submitted abroad or through a Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate may take an additional three to four months to process.
IRCC does not currently provide service standards for proof of citizenship certificates.
A citizenship certificate serves as an official government document confirming Canadian citizenship.
Naturalized citizens receive this certificate following their citizenship ceremony, while those born outside Canada who acquired citizenship by descent must apply for one.
Processing Times vs. Service Standards
As IRCC processing times have shifted since mid-July, let us discuss the difference between processing times and service standards.
Processing times
Processing times give applicants an estimated idea of how long it may take for their application to be finalized, depending on the type of application.
They are measured from the date IRCC receives an application to the date a decision is made.
IRCC updates processing times regularly, drawing on past trends and current application inventory levels. Depending on the application type, updates may occur weekly or monthly.
Published times are only estimates, i.e., actual processing can be shorter or longer than the posted timeline.
Delays or variations may result from factors such as application volume, existing backlogs, or policy and procedure changes.
Service standards
Service standards reflect IRCC’s internal targets for how quickly applications should be processed.
The department strives to finalize 80% of applications within these standards, while the remaining 20% may take longer due to complexity or special circumstances.
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