Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its official online portal that provides information about current application processing times.
Previously, the page displayed the average historical processing duration based on how long it took to finalize past applications. Under the new approach, the system now shows the estimated remaining processing time — the projected period until a decision is made — calculated using the actual number of applications currently in progress. This change offers applicants a more accurate and transparent view of real-time workloads and queue volumes within IRCC.
Estimated Processing Times (as of October 2025)
Economic Immigration Programs (Express Entry)
Approximately 6 months, with 80% of applications finalized within this period.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP – online applications)
Approximately 16 months on average.
Work Permits (applications submitted from inside Canada)
Typically 6–10 weeks, depending on the permit category; the official upper limit listed on the IRCC portal is up to 8 months.
Study Permits
Approximately 10 weeks for most applicants.
Family Sponsorship Applications
- Outside Canada stream: around 15 months.
- Inside Canada stream: up to 22 months.
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Applications
Currently estimated at over 10 years before a final decision.
Permanent Resident (PR) Cards and Renewals
Approximately 30 days on average.
Canadian Citizenship Applications
Between 10 and 13 months, depending on the stage of assessment and local office capacity.
Canadian Passports
- In-person submission: approximately 10 business days.
- Online or mail submission: up to 20 business days.
Replacement or Reissuance of Immigration Documents
Generally processed within 3–4 weeks.
Recommendation
Applicants are strongly advised to consult the official IRCC website regularly for the most current and accurate processing times. These estimates are updated frequently and may fluctuate based on the number of applications received, the complexity of individual cases, and the overall operational workload within IRCC.
