IRCC Tool Reveals A Big Rise In Canada’s Application Wait Times

A new IRCC tool reveals a big rise in Canada’s application wait times, i.e., processing times for many Canadian immigration applications have gone up sharply. This includes citizenship, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, and the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program.

These increases were noticed after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its online processing time tool earlier this month. The tool now gives users more accurate and personalized wait time estimates based on the date they submitted their applications.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP has seen one of the biggest jumps in processing times among Canada’s economic immigration programs.

IRCC’s tool also shows that 13,100 AIP applications are still waiting for a decision.

The rise in AIP processing times has created a serious issue for many workers under the program. AIP participants usually hold employer-specific work permits that are valid for only two years. However, because AIP applicants cannot apply for Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs), they risk losing their legal right to work before their permanent residence (PR) applications are finalized.

With the new 37-month wait time, many AIP applicants could face a long gap in their work status. To help with this, New Brunswick recently introduced a temporary measure allowing affected workers to get new work permits while waiting for PR approval. It is still unclear if other Atlantic provinces will introduce similar support.

The AIP is an employer-based program that helps foreign nationals move to Atlantic Canada. To qualify, applicants need a job offer from a designated employer and an endorsement from the province.

Start-Up Visa (SUV)

The Start-Up Visa Program provides permanent residence to entrepreneurs who receive support from a designated organization in Canada.

Many business founders under this program first come to Canada on a temporary work permit linked to their supporting organization while waiting for their PR to be processed.

Note: The 126.4% increase is based on calculating the current processing time as exactly 10 years. Since IRCC lists it as “more than 10 years,” the actual increase could be even higher.

Federal Self-Employed Persons

As the new IRCC tool reveals a big rise in Canada’s application wait times, let us discuss the wait times for the Federal Self-Employed Persons. 

This program is for applicants with experience in cultural or athletic fields who can make valuable contributions to Canada.

However, the program has been paused since 2024 and is not expected to reopen until 2027.

Note: The 96.7% increase is based on calculating exactly 10 years as the current time. Since IRCC lists it as “more than 10 years,” the true percentage may be higher.

Citizenship Grants Show Steady Delays In 2025

Processing times for Canadian citizenship applications have also gone up throughout 2025. The current wait time has grown by six months since January, which is an increase of about 85.7%.

The data shows a slow but steady increase every few months, leading to longer waits for people seeking citizenship.

Sharp Rise In Humanitarian And Refugee Cases

The new IRCC tool also shows a major increase in processing times for protected persons and Convention refugee cases (outside Quebec).

Applicants who applied in January 2025 were told to expect a wait time of around 73 months (6 years and 1 month). As of October 2025, the processing time has risen to 99 months (8 years and 3 months) — a 26-month jump, or 35.6% increase, in less than a year.

Processing for humanitarian and compassionate applications, both inside and outside Quebec, has also gone beyond 10 years.

These rising wait times are creating stress and uncertainty for many applicants. Experts say that without additional staffing or digital reforms, Canada’s immigration system could face even longer backlogs in the coming months.

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