IRCC Processing Times — Every Canadian Visa Type (2026)
Current IRCC processing times for every Canadian visa, permit, and PR application. Times below are typical windows; the live IRCC tool further down this page pulls actual posted times by program, country, and stream — refreshed every 6 hours from canada.ca.
At-a-glance: most-asked-about programs
Click any program for the dedicated processing-time page with current data, factors that cause delays, and what to do if your file is past the posted time.
Express Entry (FSW / CEC / FST)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Spousal Sponsorship (outland)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Spousal Sponsorship (inland)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Parents & Grandparents (PGP)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Super Visa
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Study Permit (outside Canada)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Work Permit (outside Canada)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Visitor Visa (TRV)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Citizenship Grant (adult)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →PR Card Renewal
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →PGWP
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Refugee Claim (RPD hearing)
Per-program detail, milestones, and what affects timing.
Open details →Live IRCC processing-time lookup
For a full, filterable, live processing-time matrix across every IRCC program, region, and visa office — see our tool at /tools/processing-times. It pulls directly from the canada.ca data feed and refreshes every 6 hours.
Top 12 most-watched processing times (live)
| Program | Region / Stream | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | All countries | — |
| Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Canada (inland) | — |
| PNP — Express Entry-aligned | All countries | — |
| PNP — Base / non-EE (paper) | All countries | — |
| Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) | Quebec | — |
| Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | Atlantic Canada | — |
| Caregiver streams (Home Child Care / Home Support) | All countries | — |
| Start-Up Visa | All countries | — |
| Self-Employed Persons | All countries | — |
| Spousal Sponsorship — Outland (Rest of Canada) | All countries | — |
| Spousal Sponsorship — Outland (Quebec destination) | All countries | — |
| Spousal Sponsorship — Inland (Rest of Canada) | Canada (inland) | — |
For the full filterable matrix → live processing-time tool.
What "processing time" actually means
IRCC's published processing times represent the time it took for 80% of past applications in that category to be processed. They are descriptive, not predictive — your file may complete faster or slower depending on file quality, completeness, country of residence, security screening load, and any officer-requested clarifications.
The clock starts at different points depending on the application type:
- Express Entry post-ITA: starts at AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt)
- Study / Work / Visitor permits: starts at biometrics completion for most applicants
- Citizenship: starts at receipt of complete application
- Sponsorship: starts at sponsorship-application AOR (sponsor side) then continues through PR application
- PR Card renewal: starts at receipt of complete application package
Factors that extend your processing time
- Background checks — security, criminality, and medical clearances. Files from certain countries (Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, China) routinely take longer due to country-specific security workflows.
- Incomplete applications — missing documents, inconsistent declarations across forms, expired language tests during processing. The most common silent killer of timing.
- Procedural fairness letters (PFLs) — when an officer is preparing to refuse, you get a chance to respond. Adds 30-90 days even if you ultimately succeed.
- Additional document requests (ADRs) — officer asks for more proof. Add 30-60 days.
- Visa office workload — Islamabad, Lagos, Tehran routinely process slower than New Delhi, Manila, Beijing.
- Schengen, US, UK visa history — applicants without prior compliant international travel sometimes trigger additional verification.
What to do if your application is past the posted time
- Wait at least 30 days past the posted time before taking action — IRCC's posted time is the 80th percentile, not an SLA.
- Request GCMS notes via ATIP — free, 30-60 days. Notes show exactly what's holding the file (security screening, additional review, completeness check, decision-pending).
- Submit an IRCC webform inquiry for status questions — rarely accelerates the file but creates a paper trail.
- For severely delayed files (1+ year past posted) — a Federal Court mandamus action can compel IRCC to make a decision. Hire counsel; we assess viability.
- Don't reapply assuming the file was lost — duplicate applications create confusion and don't accelerate anything.
FAQ — IRCC processing times
How often does IRCC update processing times?
IRCC publishes processing times on canada.ca and updates them periodically — typically every 1-2 weeks. Posted times represent the time it took for 80% of applications in the past category to be processed. Our /processing-time data refreshes every 6 hours from the official IRCC source.
Why is my application taking longer than the posted processing time?
Posted times reflect the past — they don't predict your file. Files commonly take longer for: (a) background checks (security screening, criminality, medical), (b) additional document requests (procedural fairness letters, RFEs), (c) country-of-residence delays at specific visa offices (Islamabad, Lagos, Tehran, Beijing), and (d) incomplete or inconsistent applications that trigger a manual officer review. About 20% of applications fall outside the posted window by design.
What can I do if my application is past the posted processing time?
Three options. (1) Request GCMS notes via ATIP (free, ~30-60 days) — these show exactly what's holding your file. (2) Submit a webform inquiry through the IRCC portal — useful for status questions but rarely accelerates the file. (3) For severely-delayed files (1+ year past posted time), a mandamus action in Federal Court can compel IRCC to make a decision. We assess viability case-by-case.
Is the processing time from the date I submit or from AOR?
Different programs measure differently. Express Entry starts the clock at AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt). Visitor visa and study permit count from the date you complete biometrics. Citizenship counts from the date IRCC receives a complete application. Always check the IRCC published methodology for your specific program.
Why do processing times vary so much between visa offices?
Each visa office has different file volumes, staffing levels, security-check workflows, and country-specific risk profiles. IRCC New Delhi and Manila tend to be efficient at high volume. Islamabad and Lagos take longer due to background-check load. Centralized streams (Express Entry post-ITA, citizenship) are processed at central network offices and don't vary by country.
Are processing times the same for Canadian citizens vs. PRs sponsoring?
Generally yes — sponsorship processing time depends on the sponsored person's country and the in-Canada portion of the file. Canadian citizens and PRs as sponsors face the same federal processing windows. Inland vs. outland sponsorship makes a bigger difference than citizen vs. PR.
Your file is past the posted time — what now?
Halani Immigration Services Inc., led by Shoukat Halani, RCIC-IRB (CICC No. R711322), reviews stuck files, orders GCMS notes, drafts webform inquiries, and represents on Federal Court mandamus actions when warranted. Free 15-minute review of your file's current status.
Free Stuck-File Review →Related: Live processing-time tool (full matrix) · Express Entry timing · Study permit timing · Work permit timing · Spousal sponsorship timing · Visa Integrity Fee