IRCC Processing Times: October 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 October 2026| Application | Current wait time |
|---|---|
| Express Entry | About 6 months / About 7 months |
| Study Permit | 2-17 weeks (varies by country) |
| Visitor Visa | 18-109 days for most countries (some offices longer) |
| Work Permit | 1-6 months (varies by type) |
| Spousal Sponsorship | About 26 months / About 18 months / About 32 months / About 33 months |
| Parent & Grandparent | About 28 months / About 63 months |
| PR Card Renewal | 34 days (new card) / 37 days (renewal) |
| Citizenship | About 12 months |
| Super Visa | 60-120 days |
| PNP | About 13 months / About 7 months |
| LMIA | 2-6 months (varies by stream) |
| Caregiver | About 77 months |
IRCC posts the time it took to finish 80% of recently completed applications. Your file can take longer if it requires additional reviews. Numbers refresh weekly from the official IRCC tool.
Is your file past the posted time?
IRCC's posted time is an estimate, not a deadline. If yours has run past it, there are still steps you can take, from an IRCC web form to a formal follow-up. Start with a free assessment of your options, or book a 30-minute consult with a licensed RCIC (CA$100, credited to your retainer if you sign within 30 days).
Find your program
Search by program name or filter by category. Sort by last updated to see which figures changed most recently.
| Current processing time | ||
|---|---|---|
| Express EntryExpress Entry Processing Time | About 6 months / About 7 months | September 3, 2026 |
| Study PermitStudy Permit Processing Time | 2-17 weeks (varies by country) | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Visitor VisaVisitor Visa (TRV) Processing Time Canada | 18-109 days for most countries (some offices longer) | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Work PermitWork Permit Processing Time | 1-6 months (varies by type) | Aug 22, 2026 |
| Spousal SponsorshipSpousal Sponsorship Processing Time | About 26 months / About 18 months / About 32 months / About 33 months | September 3, 2026 |
| Parent & GrandparentParent and Grandparent Sponsorship Processing Time | About 28 months / About 63 months | September 3, 2026 |
| PR Card RenewalPR Card Renewal Processing Time | 34 days (new card) / 37 days (renewal) | Oct 1, 2026 |
| CitizenshipCanadian Citizenship Processing Time | About 12 months | September 3, 2026 |
| Super VisaSuper Visa Processing Time | 60-120 days | Aug 22, 2026 |
| PNPProvincial Nominee Program Processing Time | About 13 months / About 7 months | September 3, 2026 |
| LMIALMIA Processing Time | 2-6 months (varies by stream) | Aug 22, 2026 |
| CaregiverCaregiver Program Processing Time | About 77 months | September 3, 2026 |
| PGWPPGWP Processing Time | 108 days (about 15 weeks) inside Canada (IRCC work permit extension figure, which includes new PGWPs); outside Canada varies by visa office | Oct 1, 2026 |
Showing 13 of 13 programs
Not sure which program fits you? Check my options free.
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 |
| Dependent children abroad (Quebec) | More than 10 years | About 22,600 people waiting |
| Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry) | About 7 months | About 53,800 people waiting |
| Government-assisted refugees (outside Quebec) | About 14 months | About 17,900 people waiting |
| Government-assisted refugees (Quebec) | About 9 months | About 300 people waiting |
| Humanitarian and compassionate (outside Quebec) | More than 10 years | About 57,900 people waiting |
| Humanitarian and compassionate (Quebec) | More than 10 years | About 20,400 people waiting |
| Parents and grandparents (outside Quebec) | About 28 months | About 37,500 people waiting |
| Parents and grandparents (Quebec) | About 63 months | About 10,300 people waiting |
| Privately sponsored refugees (outside Quebec) | About 40 months | About 72,200 people waiting |
| Privately sponsored refugees (Quebec) | About 54 months | About 2,300 people waiting |
| Proof of citizenship (certificate) | About 33 months | About 136,000 people waiting |
| Protected persons in Canada (outside Quebec) | About 13 months | About 86,100 people waiting |
| Protected persons in Canada (Quebec) | More than 10 years | About 42,100 people waiting |
| Provincial Nominee Program (base) | About 13 months | About 101,500 people waiting |
| Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) | About 7 months | About 12,800 people waiting |
| Quebec business immigration | About 75 months | About 3,700 people waiting |
| Quebec Skilled Worker | 11 months | About 20,400 people waiting |
| Self-employed persons | More than 10 years | About 8,000 people waiting |
| Spouse or partner abroad (outside Quebec) | About 18 months | About 62,600 people waiting |
| Spouse or partner abroad (Quebec) | About 33 months | About 19,200 people waiting |
| Spouse or partner in Canada (outside Quebec) | About 26 months | About 54,700 people waiting |
| Spouse or partner in Canada (Quebec) | About 32 months | About 14,200 people waiting |
| Start-up Visa | More than 10 years | About 47,500 people waiting |
Quebec runs its own selection system, so IRCC reports several streams separately for Quebec and for the rest of Canada. Source: IRCC check processing times.
PR cards, extensions and other IRCC services
These services carry a single national processing time rather than a per-country one, last updated October 7, 2026.
| Service | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| Amend a temporary resident record | 9 weeks |
| Amend an immigration record | 13 weeks |
| Citizenship for adopted children | Part 1: 4 months |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | 5 minutes |
| International Experience Canada | 6 weeks |
| PR card (new card) | 33 days |
| PR card (renewal) | 38 days |
| Renunciation of citizenship | 4 months |
| Replacement of an immigration document | 11 weeks |
| Search of citizenship records | 19 months |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 108 days |
| Study permit extension (inside Canada) | 59 days |
| Verification of status | 16 weeks |
| Visitor record / extend your stay | 370 days |
| Visitor visa (applying inside Canada) | 11 days |
| Work permit extension (inside Canada) | 112 days |
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.
All 13 programs in detail
Each program page has the full timeline breakdown, common delays, and recent trend data.
Express Entry
Express Entry Processing Time
Current processing time
Study Permit
Study Permit Processing Time
Current processing time
Visitor Visa
Visitor Visa (TRV) Processing Time Canada
Current processing time
Work Permit
Work Permit Processing Time
Current processing time
Spousal Sponsorship
Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time
Current processing time
Parent & Grandparent
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Processing Time
Current processing time
PR Card Renewal
PR Card Renewal Processing Time
Current processing time
Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship Processing Time
Current processing time
Super Visa
Super Visa Processing Time
Current processing time
PNP
Provincial Nominee Program Processing Time
Current processing time
LMIA
LMIA Processing Time
Current processing time
Caregiver
Caregiver Program Processing Time
Current processing time
PGWP
PGWP Processing Time
Current processing time
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.
Our guides go further on three of the most-asked waits: the Canada visitor visa processing time explained, the spousal sponsorship AOR timeline (inland vs outland), and what happens at each citizenship stage and whether to apply now. Recent graduates can check the PGWP processing time.
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
- Plan your travel and life decisions accordingly
RCIC License: R515110
Processing Times FAQs
Common questions about IRCC processing times
How often does IRCC update processing times?
Why is my application taking longer than the posted processing time?
Can I expedite my immigration application?
How can I check my application status?
What should I do if my application is taking much longer than expected?
What is the current Canada processing time for the most common applications in 2026?
How do I check IRCC processing times directly on canada.ca?
Are CIC and IRCC processing times the same thing?
Why are processing times longer for applications from some countries?
Stay updated on Canadian immigration
Get the latest IRCC policy changes, Express Entry draw results, and immigration tips delivered to your inbox. No spam.
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.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.