On July 31 and August 14, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revised their processing times for various immigration applications. Staying informed about these changes can help applicants better plan their immigration processes and manage their expectations effectively.
Monitoring IRCC processing times is crucial for organizing your immigration journey and preparing for potential timelines.
These updates are part of IRCC’s ongoing commitment to refining and enhancing the immigration system for applicants.
Below is an overview of the latest processing times and their implications across different immigration categories.
Summary of Processing Time Updates
Beginning in May 2024, the IRCC started offering monthly updates on the average processing times for citizenship, family sponsorship, and economic immigration applications.
Weekly updates are now available for business immigration applications, all temporary residency applications, and permanent resident cards. These updates provide applicants with a better estimate of how long it will take to receive decisions on their applications.
Processing Times for PR Cards and Citizenship
Citizenship (updated monthly):
- Citizenship Grant: 7 months, reduced by 1 month since June 3
- Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship): 3 months, unchanged since June 3
- Renunciation of Citizenship: 13 months, unchanged since June 3
- Search of Citizenship Records: 13 months, unchanged since June 3
PR Cards (updated weekly):
- New PR Card: 28 days, reduced by 14 days since July 30 and 48 days since June 25
- PR Card Renewals: 72 days, no change since July 30, but reduced by 3 days since June 25
Family Sponsorship Processing Times (updated monthly)
Processing times for family sponsorship applications are updated monthly. These times can vary based on application volumes, the available workforce, and expected new applications.
As of July 2024, the revised times are as follows:
- Spouse or Common-law Partner:
- Outside Canada (excluding Quebec): 10 months, unchanged
- Outside Canada (Quebec): 35 months, increased by 3 months since July 3
- Inside Canada (excluding Quebec): 11 months, unchanged
- Inside Canada (Quebec): 24 months, reduced by 4 months since July 3
- Parents or Grandparents:
- Outside Quebec: 24 months, unchanged
- Quebec: 48 months, unchanged
Economic Immigration Processing Times
Processing times for economic immigration applications are updated monthly and weekly, depending on the program.
Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months, unchanged
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months, unchanged
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): No updates since March 1, 2023
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 6 months, unchanged
Non-Express Entry:
- Non-Express Entry PNP: 11 months, unchanged
- Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months, unchanged
- Quebec Business Class: 46 months, unchanged
- Federal Self-Employed: 47 months, reduced by 3 months
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 7 months, unchanged
- Start-Up Visa: 38 months, reduced by 1 month
Temporary Residency Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
Processing times for temporary residency applications are updated weekly. These times indicate how long it typically takes IRCC to process most applications but do not include biometric processing.
Visitor Visa Outside Canada (varies by country):
- India: 58 days, increased by 7 days since July 24
- Nigeria: 179 days, reduced by 5 days since July 24
- United States: 33 days, increased by 4 days since July 24
- Pakistan: 46 days, reduced by 1 day since July 24
- Philippines: 27 days, unchanged since July 24
Visitor Visa Inside Canada (TRV):
- Online: 24 days, reduced by 1 day since July 24
Visitor Visa Extension:
- Online: 114 days
Parents or Grandparents Super Visa (varies by country):
- India: 66 days, increased by 7 days since July 24
- Nigeria: 110 days, increased by 31 days since July 24
- United States: 299 days, increased by 62 days since July 24
- Pakistan: 146 days, increased by 5 days since July 24
- Philippines: 111 days, increased by 5 days since July 24
Study Permit Outside Canada (varies by country):
- India: 5 weeks, increased by 1 week since July 24
- Nigeria: 6 weeks, increased by 1 week since July 24
- United States: 12 weeks, increased by 3 weeks since July 24
- Pakistan: 8 weeks, reduced by 1 week since July 24
- Philippines: 7 weeks, reduced by 1 week since July 24
Study Permits:
- Inside Canada: 11 weeks, increased by 1 week since July 24
- Study Permit Extension: 64 days, increased by 6 days since July 24
Work Permit Outside Canada (varies by country):
- India: 19 weeks, unchanged since July 24
- Nigeria: 14 weeks, unchanged since July 24
- United States: 16 weeks, reduced by 2 weeks since July 24
- Pakistan: 15 weeks, reduced by 9 weeks since July 24
- Philippines: 7 weeks, reduced by 2 weeks since July 24
Work Permit Inside Canada:
- Online: 113 days, increased by 4 days since July 24
Other Temporary Residency Categories:
- International Experience Canada (Current Season): 6 weeks, unchanged since July 24
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP): 126 days, increased by 35 days since July 24
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes
For the most current information on processing times and specific inquiries, it is recommended to regularly check the IRCC website or consult with an immigration expert.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the current processing times for new PR cards?
As of August 2024, the processing time for new PR cards is 28 days, a reduction of 14 days since July 30 and 48 days since June 25.
How long does it take to renew a PR card?
PR card renewals are currently processed in 72 days, with a reduction of 3 days since June 25.
What is the processing time for citizenship?
Citizenship grants take 7 months to process, which is 1 month shorter than the time required since June 3.
How long does it take to process a spouse or common-law partner sponsorship application from outside Canada?
Sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner from outside Canada (excluding Quebec) takes 10 months.
What is the processing time for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry?
The processing time for the CEC under Express Entry is 5 months.
How long does it take to process a visitor visa for applicants from India?
Visitor visas from India are currently processed in 58 days, which has increased by 7 days since July 24.
What is the current processing time for a study permit application from Nigeria?
Study permit applications from Nigeria are processed in 6 weeks, increased by 1 week since July 24.
How long does it take to process a work permit application from the United States?
Work permit applications from the United States take 16 weeks, which has decreased by 2 weeks since July 24.
What is the processing time for a Super Visa for parents or grandparents from India?
The processing time for a Super Visa for applicants from India is 66 days, which has increased by 7 days since July 24.
How often are IRCC processing times updated?
IRCC updates processing times monthly for citizenship, family sponsorship, and economic immigration applications, and weekly for business immigration, temporary residency applications, and permanent resident cards.
