IRCC processing times
How long IRCC says applications take, read directly from the official data behind canada.ca's processing-times tool.
PR and citizenship times as of October 9, 2026 (IRCC updates monthly) · visas and permits as of November 4, 2026 (weekly) · extensions as of October 31, 2026 · last checked 2026-11-07 · Source: IRCC
Quick answer
IRCC's current estimates for a new application: About 6 months for the Canadian Experience Class, About 7 months for Federal Skilled Workers, About 7 months for provincial nominees through Express Entry, About 26 months for spousal sponsorship inside Canada (outside Quebec) and About 12 months for citizenship. A work permit extension, including a PGWP, takes 10 weeks.
Permanent residence — economic
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)About 53,900 people waiting | About 6 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)About 58,300 people waiting | About 7 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry) | Not enough datapast applications · November 4, 2026 |
| Provincial Nominee Program — through Express EntryAbout 13,100 people waiting | About 7 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Provincial Nominee Program — outside Express EntryAbout 96,500 people waiting | About 13 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Atlantic Immigration ProgramAbout 11,500 people waiting | About 26 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Quebec skilled workersAbout 20,500 people waiting | 11 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Start-up VisaAbout 47,500 people waiting | More than 10 yearsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Self-employed personsAbout 8,000 people waiting | More than 10 yearsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
Permanent residence — family
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| Spouse or partner, living in Canada (outside Quebec)About 55,600 people waiting | About 26 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Spouse or partner, living outside Canada (outside Quebec)About 65,600 people waiting | About 18 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Spouse or partner, living in Canada (Quebec)About 14,500 people waiting | About 32 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Spouse or partner, living outside Canada (Quebec)About 19,400 people waiting | About 33 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Parents and grandparents (outside Quebec)About 35,600 people waiting | About 28 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Parents and grandparents (Quebec)About 10,300 people waiting | About 63 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
Citizenship
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| Citizenship grant (becoming a citizen)About 322,700 people waiting | About 12 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
| Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)About 130,700 people waiting | About 34 monthsif you apply today · October 9, 2026 |
PR card
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| PR card — first card for new PRs | 29 dayspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
| PR card — renewal or replacement | 46 dayspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
Temporary residence in Canada
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| Study permit — applying from inside Canada | 8 weekspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
| Study permit extensionAbout 25,500 people waiting | 6 weeksif you apply today · October 31, 2026 |
| Work permit — applying from inside Canada | 16 weekspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
| Work permit extension (includes PGWP and bridging open work permits)About 191,000 people waiting | 10 weeksif you apply today · October 31, 2026 |
| Visitor visa — applying from inside Canada | 12 dayspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
Visiting Canada
| Application | Time |
|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | 5 minutespast applications · November 4, 2026 |
| International Experience Canada (current season) | 6 weekspast applications · November 4, 2026 |
Visitor visa, study and work permit times by country
For applications made from outside Canada, IRCC publishes times by country of residence. These are historical: how long it took to process most complete applications, not counting biometrics. Times for the countries most of our readers come from:
| Country | Visitor visa | Study permit | Work permit | Super visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 32 days | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | 85 days |
| Pakistan | 58 days | 5 weeks | 9 weeks | 101 days |
| Philippines | 24 days | 6 weeks | 9 weeks | 109 days |
| Nigeria | 103 days | 11 weeks | 10 weeks | 33 days |
| United States | 18 days | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 75 days |
| United Kingdom | 23 days | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 104 days |
| China | 51 days | 12 weeks | 5 weeks | 89 days |
| Bangladesh | 31 days | 8 weeks | 33 weeks | 53 days |
| Iran | 76 days | 31 weeks | 57 weeks | 231 days |
| Mexico | 14 days | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 78 days |
| Brazil | 25 days | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 23 days |
| Vietnam | 39 days | 5 weeks | 5 weeks | 46 days |
All 211 countries and territories
| Country | Visitor visa | Study permit | Work permit | Super visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 33 days | 3 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Albania | 46 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Algeria | 19 days | 8 weeks | 12 weeks | 56 days |
| Andorra | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Angola | 228 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Anguilla | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Antigua & Barbuda | 20 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Argentina | 19 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Armenia | 28 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Aruba | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Australia | 9 days | 3 weeks | 8 weeks | 58 days |
| Austria | 38 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Azerbaijan | 57 days | 6 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bahamas | 46 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bahrain | 59 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bangladesh | 31 days | 8 weeks | 33 weeks | 53 days |
| Barbados | 14 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Belarus | 15 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Belgium | 36 days | 4 weeks | 2 weeks | No processing time available |
| Belize | 16 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Benin | 91 days | 18 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bermuda | 37 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bhutan | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bolivia | 26 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 35 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Botswana | 479 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Brazil | 25 days | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 23 days |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Brunei | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Bulgaria | 38 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Burkina Faso | 35 days | 5 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Burundi | 88 days | 6 weeks | No processing time available | 66 days |
| Cambodia | 42 days | 7 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Cameroon | 43 days | 9 weeks | 9 weeks | 107 days |
| Cape Verde | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Caribbean Netherlands | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Cayman Islands | 44 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Central African Republic | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Chad | 112 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Chile | 18 days | 6 weeks | 8 weeks | No processing time available |
| China | 51 days | 12 weeks | 5 weeks | 89 days |
| Colombia | 15 days | 6 weeks | 4 weeks | 78 days |
| Comoros | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Congo - Brazzaville | 35 days | 8 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Congo - Kinshasa | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Costa Rica | 20 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 33 days | 8 weeks | 12 weeks | 34 days |
| Croatia | 23 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Cuba | 22 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | 57 days |
| Cyprus | 36 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Czechia | 42 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Denmark | 56 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Djibouti | 113 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Dominica | 15 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Dominican Republic | 26 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Ecuador | 26 days | 6 weeks | 7 weeks | No processing time available |
| Egypt | 56 days | 8 weeks | 9 weeks | 55 days |
| El Salvador | 24 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Equatorial Guinea | 115 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Eritrea | 137 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | 261 days |
| Estonia | 15 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Eswatini | 139 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Ethiopia | 131 days | 5 weeks | No processing time available | 121 days |
| Fiji | 9 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Finland | 18 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| France | 35 days | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 99 days |
| French Polynesia | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Gabon | 48 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Gambia | 60 days | 5 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Georgia | 83 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Germany | 39 days | 5 weeks | 11 weeks | No processing time available |
| Ghana | 77 days | 14 weeks | 20 weeks | 25 days |
| Greece | 41 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Greenland | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Grenada | 18 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Guatemala | 22 days | No processing time available | 1 week | No processing time available |
| Guinea | 71 days | 6 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Guinea-Bissau | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Guyana | 16 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Haiti | 26 days | 5 weeks | 6 weeks | 32 days |
| Honduras | 25 days | No processing time available | 1 week | No processing time available |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 23 days | 6 weeks | 14 weeks | 57 days |
| Hungary | 42 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Iceland | 79 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| India | 32 days | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | 85 days |
| Indonesia | 25 days | 5 weeks | 13 weeks | No processing time available |
| Iran | 76 days | 31 weeks | 57 weeks | 231 days |
| Iraq | 68 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Ireland | 21 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Israel | 30 days | No processing time available | 5 weeks | No processing time available |
| Italy | 41 days | 6 weeks | 10 weeks | No processing time available |
| Jamaica | 41 days | 4 weeks | 7 weeks | 46 days |
| Japan | 54 days | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | No processing time available |
| Jordan | 55 days | 8 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Kazakhstan | 25 days | 5 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Kenya | 121 days | 3 weeks | 6 weeks | 154 days |
| Kiribati | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Kosovo | 45 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Kuwait | 62 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Kyrgyzstan | 14 days | 2 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Laos | 42 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Latvia | 27 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Lebanon | 45 days | 6 weeks | 5 weeks | 29 days |
| Lesotho | 84 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Liberia | 105 days | 18 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Libya | 32 days | 3 weeks | 2 weeks | No processing time available |
| Liechtenstein | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Lithuania | 22 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Luxembourg | 37 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Macao SAR China | 21 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Madagascar | 91 days | 16 weeks | 38 weeks | No processing time available |
| Malawi | 148 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Malaysia | 21 days | 6 weeks | 9 weeks | No processing time available |
| Maldives | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Mali | 65 days | 5 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Malta | 34 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Marshall Islands | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Martinique | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Mauritania | 93 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Mauritius | 91 days | 11 weeks | 11 weeks | No processing time available |
| Mexico | 14 days | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 78 days |
| Micronesia | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Moldova | 47 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Monaco | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Mongolia | 26 days | 3 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Montenegro | 36 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Morocco | 27 days | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 22 days |
| Mozambique | 389 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Myanmar (Burma) | 42 days | 7 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Namibia | 228 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Nauru | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Nepal | 42 days | 6 weeks | 10 weeks | 57 days |
| Netherlands | 32 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| New Caledonia | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| New Zealand | 9 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Nicaragua | 21 days | No processing time available | 8 weeks | No processing time available |
| Niger | 81 days | 6 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Nigeria | 103 days | 11 weeks | 10 weeks | 33 days |
| North Korea | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| North Macedonia | 39 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Norway | 41 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Oman | 58 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Pakistan | 58 days | 5 weeks | 9 weeks | 101 days |
| Palestinian Territories | 1 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Panama | 27 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Papua New Guinea | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Paraguay | 20 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Peru | 27 days | 5 weeks | 6 weeks | No processing time available |
| Philippines | 24 days | 6 weeks | 9 weeks | 109 days |
| Poland | 23 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Portugal | 35 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Puerto Rico | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Qatar | 59 days | 6 weeks | 10 weeks | No processing time available |
| Romania | 36 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Russia | 35 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Rwanda | 62 days | 6 weeks | 10 weeks | No processing time available |
| Samoa | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| San Marino | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| São Tomé & Príncipe | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Saudi Arabia | 41 days | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 87 days |
| Senegal | 64 days | 7 weeks | 11 weeks | 34 days |
| Serbia | 41 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Seychelles | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Sierra Leone | 105 days | 18 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Singapore | 21 days | 10 weeks | 9 weeks | No processing time available |
| Slovakia | 25 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Slovenia | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Solomon Islands | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Somalia | 113 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| South Africa | 155 days | 18 weeks | 17 weeks | No processing time available |
| South Korea | 56 days | 2 weeks | 21 weeks | No processing time available |
| South Sudan | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Spain | 34 days | 3 weeks | 2 weeks | No processing time available |
| Sri Lanka | 31 days | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | 36 days |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | 25 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| St. Lucia | 18 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | 20 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Sudan | 70 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Suriname | 19 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Sweden | 49 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Switzerland | 37 days | 3 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Syria | 89 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | 652 days |
| Taiwan | 49 days | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | No processing time available |
| Tajikistan | 16 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Tanzania | 56 days | 7 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Thailand | 40 days | 5 weeks | 12 weeks | No processing time available |
| Timor-Leste | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Togo | 106 days | 18 weeks | 19 weeks | No processing time available |
| Tonga | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 18 days | 6 weeks | 3 weeks | No processing time available |
| Tunisia | 34 days | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 19 days |
| Türkiye | 56 days | 7 weeks | 11 weeks | 75 days |
| Turkmenistan | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Turks & Caicos Islands | 39 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Tuvalu | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Uganda | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Ukraine | 28 days | 6 weeks | No processing time available | 63 days |
| United Arab Emirates | 53 days | 5 weeks | 8 weeks | 50 days |
| United Kingdom | 23 days | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 104 days |
| United States | 18 days | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 75 days |
| Uruguay | 15 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Uzbekistan | 31 days | 4 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Vanuatu | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Vatican City | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Venezuela | 28 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Vietnam | 39 days | 5 weeks | 5 weeks | 46 days |
| WB | 1 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Yemen | 51 days | No processing time available | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Zambia | 329 days | 12 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
| Zimbabwe | 224 days | 28 weeks | No processing time available | No processing time available |
How IRCC calculates these times
- "If you apply today" (permanent residence, citizenship, permit extensions): IRCC's projection based on the applications already waiting. For Express Entry it doesn't include time in the pool before an invitation.
- "Past applications" (visas, eTA, PR cards, permits from abroad): how long IRCC took to process most complete applications recently, excluding biometrics.
- Processing starts when IRCC receives a complete application and ends when it makes a decision. "Not enough data" and "More than 10 years" are IRCC's own wording.
Related: PGWP · bridging open work permit · visitor visa vs eTA · citizenship · Express Entry draws
Official sources
| Data | Official source |
|---|---|
| All times on this page | IRCC — Check processing times |
| Machine-readable data read by this page | data-ptime-non-country-en.json · data-ptime-en.json · flpt-en.json · flpt-by-week-en.json |
We re-read IRCC's data every 6 hours and show IRCC's own update dates. Check the official tool before you make plans; it always wins.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Express Entry take in 2026?+
IRCC's current estimate for a new application is about 6 months for the Canadian Experience Class and about 7 months for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (as of October 9, 2026). It starts when you submit your PR application after an invitation, not when you enter the pool.
How long does Canadian citizenship take?+
IRCC estimates about 12 months for a citizenship grant application submitted today (as of October 9, 2026).
Why are some times "projected" and others "historical"?+
For permanent residence, citizenship and permit extensions, IRCC publishes a forward-looking estimate of how long a new application will take. For visas, eTAs, PR cards and permits from outside Canada, it publishes how long it took to process most complete applications in the past.
How often is this page updated?+
We re-read IRCC's processing-time data every 6 hours. IRCC itself updates temporary residence times weekly and permanent residence and citizenship times monthly; each table shows IRCC's own update date.
My application is taking longer than this. What should I do?+
IRCC says not to send a new application. Processing times are estimates; complex or incomplete applications take longer. You can check your status in your IRCC account.