As of July 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the average processing times for various immigration applications, including those for permanent and temporary residence. Compared to July 2024, both accelerations and delays have occurred, depending on the program type and the country of application. This analysis aims to help applicants better understand the current trends and plan their submissions based on realistic timelines.
Permanent Residence
Express Entry
Despite a general increase in processing times for other categories, Express Entry programs have remained relatively stable over the year. This is especially true for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), where processing times have not changed.
Note: IRCC does not publish processing times for the Federal Skilled Trades Program due to an insufficient volume of applications.
Official service standard: 180 days (6 months)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Processing times for PNP applications — both enhanced (Express Entry-aligned) and base (non-EE) — have increased compared to 2024. The most notable delays are in the base PNP stream submitted outside Express Entry.
Service standards set by IRCC:
- 180 days for enhanced PNP applications submitted electronically
- 11 months for base PNP applications submitted online
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
In 2025, processing under the Atlantic Immigration Program has slowed down, showing an increase of approximately 5 months compared to 2024.
There is no published service standard for AIP. However, applicants may apply for a two-year work permit that allows them to begin working in Canada while awaiting permanent residence.
Spousal Sponsorship (Family Class)
Processing times have significantly increased, especially for the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) category for applicants outside Quebec. The difference exceeds 20 months in some cases.
Service standard:
- 12 months for outland Family Class applications
- No official standard for SCLPC applications
Temporary Residence
Visitor Visas (Temporary Resident Visas, TRVs)
Applications submitted outside Canada
Processing times have decreased in almost all countries, except the Philippines. The most notable improvement is in Nigeria, where timelines dropped from 182 to 56 days.
Service standard: 14 days
Applications submitted within Canada
Visitor Record
The Visitor Record allows an individual to extend or change their status while in Canada. Over the year, the average processing time has increased by nearly three months.
Applications must be submitted online from within Canada.
Work Permits
Applications submitted outside Canada
All five countries under analysis showed improvements in processing times. The most significant progress was observed in India, Pakistan, some European countries, and the United States.
Applications submitted within Canada
Service standards:
- 60 days for applications from outside Canada
- 120 days for in-Canada applications
Study Permits
Applications submitted outside Canada
[Specific figures should be inserted if available.]
Applications submitted within Canada
Study Permit Extension
There has been a sharp increase in the processing time — more than tripling over the year.
Service standard: 120 days
Citizenship
Grant of Citizenship
Service standard: 12 months
Citizenship Certificate
Applications submitted outside Canada or the United States may take 3–4 months longer to process. No official service standard is currently published.
Processing Time vs. Service Standard
- Processing time is the average length of time IRCC takes to finalize an application from the date it is received. It is based on historical data and updated regularly. It is not a guarantee.
- Service standard is IRCC’s internal target: 80% of applications are expected to be processed within the published timeframe. It is a performance goal, not a legal obligation.
Conclusion
The updated IRCC statistics reveal an uneven performance across immigration programs in 2025. While some application streams have become faster, others — especially family sponsorship and non-EE PNPs — have experienced significant slowdowns. Applicants are encouraged to monitor official timelines regularly, prepare for potential delays, and adapt their plans accordingly, especially in complex or family-related cases. Strategic preparation and proactive planning remain essential for success in the Canadian immigration process.
