PNP processing time
Updated September 3, 2026

PNP Processing Time: 13 Months Base, 7 Months via Express Entry

IRCC's two published figures as of 3 September 2026, plus the separate provincial nomination stage that comes first

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Current Time

About 13 months / About 7 months

Last Updated

September 3, 2026

Trend

Times are stable

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).

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Current Figures

PNP Processing Time: Base vs Express Entry

Read from the data behind IRCC's own processing-times tool, updated September 3, 2026. The tool shows one application type and one country at a time. Here they are side by side.

ApplicationProcessing timePeople waiting
Provincial Nominee Program (base)About 13 monthsAbout 101,500 people waiting
Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry)About 7 monthsAbout 12,800 people waiting

What the processing time includes

  • The clock starts the day IRCC receives your complete application (the day you submit online, or the day a paper application reaches IRCC's mailroom) and stops when IRCC makes a decision.
  • It covers IRCC's federal permanent residence stage only. The provincial nomination comes first and runs on each province's own timeline.
  • IRCC says the posted time includes the time it takes to give your biometrics.
  • For permanent residence, IRCC's tool also estimates the wait for applications submitted in the month and year you applied, which can differ from today's figure.
  • It is an estimate, not a maximum or a guarantee. Incomplete files, complex files and files that need extra security checks can take longer.

What to do if yours is late

  1. Check your status online first. IRCC says its web form agents do not have more details than what your online account already shows.
  2. Once your application is past the posted time, ask about it through the IRCC web form ("Ask about your application"). Before that point IRCC says no news means your file is still in process, and extra web forms or phone calls do not speed it up.
  3. Answer any request for documents, biometrics or a medical exam quickly. IRCC counts how long you take to respond among the things that change your processing time.

If the wait is putting your status, a job offer or travel plans at risk, check your options before you act.

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Sources: IRCC check processing times, IRCC web form.

Processing Time Overview

About PNP Processing

A PNP application runs through two organisations, and only the second one is IRCC. First the province assesses and nominates you. Then you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Only the federal stage has an IRCC processing time, and IRCC publishes two of them: a base PNP application is about 13 months (about 101,500 people waiting), and a PNP application routed through Express Entry is about 7 months (about 12,800 people waiting). Both figures were last updated 3 September 2026.

The provincial stage is not an IRCC figure and varies by province and stream, commonly a few months. Because provinces publish their own timelines on their own schedules, we give the federal figures here and link to the province you are applying through rather than adding the two together into a single national number that no authority publishes.

Each province and territory has different PNP streams targeting specific skills, work experience, or connections to that region. Some streams are aligned with Express Entry (providing 600 additional CRS points, essentially guaranteeing an ITA), while others are base PNPs processed outside Express Entry. Express Entry-aligned PNPs result in faster federal processing (about 7 months after nomination) compared to base PNPs (about 13 months federal processing).

Provincial nomination processing times vary widely: some provinces like Ontario (OINP) and British Columbia (BC PNP) have relatively faster processing (2-4 months), while others may take 4-6 months depending on the stream and application volume. Paper-based streams generally take longer than electronic applications. Once you receive a provincial nomination certificate, you have limited time to submit your federal PR application (typically 6 months for base PNP, 60 days for Express Entry PNP).

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Historical Data

Processing Time Trends

Track how processing times have changed over recent months

September 2026

13 mo base / 7 mo via EE (federal PR stage)

July 2026

12 mo base / 7 mo via EE (federal PR stage)

January 2026

15-19 months total

Q4 2025

16-20 months total

Q3 2025

17-22 months total

Q2 2025

16-20 months total

Q1 2025

15-19 months total

2024 Average

18-24 months total

Processing Factors

What Affects Processing Time?

Understanding these factors can help you prepare a stronger application

Specific province and PNP stream (each has different timelines)

Whether Express Entry-aligned (faster) or base PNP (slower)

Provincial application volume and processing capacity

Completeness of provincial and federal applications

Background checks and medical examination processing

Document verification and employment reference checks

Expert Tips

How to Avoid Processing Delays

Follow these best practices to keep your application moving smoothly

Research which province and stream best matches your qualifications and goals

Submit complete provincial application with all required documents to avoid delays

Maintain valid Express Entry profile if applying to EE-aligned stream

Prepare federal PR documents while waiting for provincial nomination

Submit federal application immediately after receiving nomination certificate

Keep employment references ready as provinces often verify with employers

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PNP processing times

Does PNP get rejected?
Yes. Provinces refuse PNP nominations when applicants miss minimum points, fail occupation eligibility, lack the required job offer, fall short on language scores, or submit inconsistent work history. The federal stage at IRCC also refuses cases on medical, criminality, or misrepresentation grounds even after a province nominates. Each province has its own rejection rate, but provincial refusals alone run roughly 15 to 25 percent. Federal refusals after nomination are rarer at under 5 percent. Reapplying is possible after fixing the documented issues. Go Far Global audits eligibility before any nomination submission.
Is PR guaranteed after PNP?
No. A provincial nomination is a strong endorsement and adds 600 points to an Express Entry profile or unlocks a paper-based PR stream, but IRCC still has the final say. Federal officers run medical exams, criminal checks, security screening, and confirm eligibility. About 95 percent of nominees clear federal review and receive PR. The remaining cases see refusal or further document requests. Misrepresentation, undisclosed criminal history, or failed medicals drive most federal refusals after nomination. Go Far Global prepares federal submissions to limit federal-stage delays and refusals.
Does PNP nomination guarantee PR?
No. Provincial nomination clears the provincial stage and unlocks the federal Permanent Residence application. IRCC then reviews medicals, security, criminality, and admissibility. Most nominees succeed but the federal stage can refuse or send procedural fairness letters. Misrepresentation found anywhere in the file leads to refusal and a 5-year ban. Family member health or criminal issues can also block PR even when the principal applicant is approved. Federal processing is about 13 months for base PNP and about 7 months via Express Entry, per IRCC's 3 September 2026 figures. Go Far Global handles both stages to keep evidence consistent.
Which province in Canada gives PNP easily?
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are usually called the easiest because their MPNP and SINP streams accept lower CRS-equivalent profiles, prioritize ties to the province, and run frequent draws. Manitoba MPNP costs $500 with a 60-point pass mark and processes nominations in 4 to 6 months. Saskatchewan SINP runs occupation-in-demand and Express Entry sub-streams. Atlantic Immigration Program provinces also accept candidates from a broad range of jobs. The right province depends on your work experience, language scores, and connections to the province. Go Far Global maps each profile to suitable provinces.
Is PNP better than Express Entry?
PNP and Express Entry are different paths that often overlap. Express Entry is a federal pool ranked by CRS where most ITAs go to candidates with 470 plus. PNP is a provincial pathway where a nomination adds 600 points to Express Entry or runs as a paper-based stream. PNP works better for candidates below 470 CRS or those with a clear connection to a specific province. Express Entry is faster at 6 to 8 months federally. Go Far Global runs both options for candidates and recommends the path with the best odds.
How long does a PNP nomination take?
Provincial nomination decisions are set by each province, not by IRCC, and commonly take a few months. Confirm the current figure on your province's own site, since they change independently. The federal stage that follows is the part IRCC publishes: about 13 months for a base PNP application and about 7 months via Express Entry, as of 3 September 2026. Go Far Global keeps clients on top of provincial deadlines.
How long does it take to get a provincial nomination?
From submission to nomination, plan on 3 to 9 months in 2026. Manitoba issues nominations in 4 to 6 months. Ontario averages 3 to 6 months across its streams. Saskatchewan runs 4 to 8 months. British Columbia Tech finishes in 8 to 12 weeks while regular BC PNP runs 4 to 5 months. Alberta sits at 6 to 9 months. Atlantic provinces average 3 to 5 months. Files with missing documents or eligibility flags add 2 to 4 months. Go Far Global builds nomination files with full documents to avoid these delays.
Which province is easiest to get provincial nomination?
Manitoba MPNP and Saskatchewan SINP are typically called the easiest in 2026 because of lower thresholds, preference for provincial ties, and frequent draws. Manitoba accepts candidates with 60 plus assessment points and a connection to the province through work, study, or family. Saskatchewan accepts in-demand occupations without job offers under SINP-OID. Atlantic provinces are accessible if you hold a job offer from an approved employer. Each province defines its own rules and changes draws often. Go Far Global matches profiles to the province with the strongest current chance.

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Related Programs

Other Processing Times

Check processing times for related immigration programs

Express Entry

About 6 months / About 7 months

Current processing time

Study Permit

2-17 weeks (varies by country)

Current processing time

Visitor Visa

18-109 days for most countries (some offices longer)

Current processing time

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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.