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Updated September 2026
IRCC Processing Times: September 2026
Current wait times for every Canadian immigration program, pulled live from IRCC. PR card to spousal sponsorship. The actual numbers, in one table, straight from IRCC.
Current IRCC wait times at a glance
Source: IRCC · Updated September 2026| Application | Current wait time |
|---|---|
| Express Entry | About 6 months / About 7 months |
| Study Permit | 4-16 weeks (varies by country) |
| Visitor Visa | 9-157 days (varies by country) |
Every permanent residence queue, and how many people are in it
IRCC publishes a current processing time and a queue size for each permanent residence and citizenship stream. Both numbers below come straight from IRCC, last updated September 3, 2026. The queue size is the better predictor of where your own file is heading.
| Program | Processing time | People waiting |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Immigration Program | About 26 months | About 11,800 people waiting |
| Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) | About 6 months | About 58,900 people waiting |
| Caregiver programs | About 77 months | About 36,900 people waiting |
| Citizenship grant | About 12 months | About 327,100 people waiting |
| Dependent children abroad (outside Quebec) | About 41 months | About 60,900 people waiting |
PR cards, extensions and other IRCC services
These services carry a single national processing time rather than a per-country one, last updated September 9, 2026.
| Service | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| Amend a temporary resident record | 8 weeks |
| Amend an immigration record | 11 weeks |
| Citizenship for adopted children | Part 1: 4 months |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | 5 minutes |
| International Experience Canada | 6 weeks |
| PR card (new card) | 37 days |
| PR card (renewal) | 38 days |
| Renunciation of citizenship | 4 months |
Applying from outside Canada?
Visitor visa, super visa, study permit and work permit times run per country. We publish every country IRCC reports in one table.
By Program
All 13 programs in detail
Each program page has the full timeline breakdown, common delays, and recent trend data.
Understanding Processing
How Processing Times Work
IRCC processing times represent how long it took to process 80% of applications in recent months. This means 80% of applicants received a decision within the posted timeframe, while 20% took longer.
Processing times are updated monthly based on actual completed applications. They can fluctuate due to application volumes, staffing levels, policy changes, and seasonal variations.
Your individual processing time may be faster or slower depending on factors like application completeness, background check complexity, medical exam results, and the specific visa office handling your file.
The timeline begins when IRCC receives your complete application, not when you start preparing it. Incomplete applications or missing documents will significantly delay processing.
Timeline Consultation
Get a personalized timeline assessment for your immigration application. Our RCIC-licensed consultants will review your situation and provide realistic timelines based on current processing times.
- Review your specific program and stream
- Identify potential delays or complications
- Get tips to expedite your application
FAQ
Processing Times FAQs
Common questions about IRCC processing times
How often does IRCC update processing times?
IRCC updates official processing times monthly on their website. These times represent how long it took to process 80% of applications in recent months. Processing times can change based on application volumes, staffing levels, and policy changes.
Why is my application taking longer than the posted processing time?
Processing times are averages for 80% of applications. Your application may take longer due to incomplete documentation, background checks, security screening, medical exam issues, high application volumes, or the need for additional verification.
Can I expedite my immigration application?
IRCC does not offer routine expedited processing for most programs. Urgent processing may be considered in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies, death of a family member, or humanitarian reasons. You must provide supporting documentation.
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Don't Let Processing Times Slow You Down
Work with an RCIC-licensed consultant to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and processed as quickly as possible.