On This Page You Will Find:
- Updated Express Entry processing times
- Provincial and Quebec immigration timelines
- Family sponsorship wait times
- Temporary visa and permit processing times
- Citizenship application processing duration
Understanding how long it takes to process immigration and visa applications is essential when planning your move to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates its processing times regularly to help applicants understand how long applications may take and to plan accordingly.
Below, you will find the latest processing times for major Canadian immigration programs as of March 9, 2026 including permanent residence, family sponsorship, temporary residence, and citizenship.
Where processing times vary depending on the country a candidate is applying from, we have used some of the most common source countries for Canadian immigration as examples.
Permanent Residence Applications
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application system for skilled workers. It includes three programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
| Application Type | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Canadian Experience Class | 6 months | 6 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | 5 months | 6 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Service standard: 6 months for all Express Entry programs.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates for permanent residence based on local labour market needs. Applications can be processed through Express Entry or submitted directly to IRCC.
| Application Type | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Through Express Entry (enhanced) | 7 months | 7 months | 7 months |
| Non–Express Entry (base) | 19 months | 16 months | 13 months |
Quebec Immigration
Quebec manages its own skilled worker program known as the PSTQ. Though the service standard is six months, the current backlog has led to much longer wait times.
| Stream | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Skilled Worker Selection (PSTQ) | 11 months | 11 months | 11 months |
Service standard: 6 months. Nearly 24,000 applications are currently awaiting processing.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The AIP helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates. It offers a pathway to permanent residence in the region.
| Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) | |
| AIP | 13 months | 37 months | 33 months |
Service standard: 11 months.
Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses, partners, parents, grandparents, or children for permanent residence.
| Application Type | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Spouse/common-law partner in Canada (outside Quebec) | 24 months | 22 months | 21 months |
| Spouse/common-law partner in Canada (in Quebec) | 37 months | 39 months | 36 months |
| Spouse/common-law partner outside Canada (non-Quebec) | 15 months | 15 months | 15 months |
| Spouse/common-law partner outside Canada (Quebec) | 41 months | 39 months | 35 months |
| Parents and Grandparents (outside Quebec) | 26 months | 26 months | 34 months |
| Parents and Grandparents (Quebec) | 44 months | 44 months | 46 months |
Service standard for out-of-Canada spousal sponsorship: 12 months.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
You can sponsor a dependent child either from within or outside Canada. Processing times vary depending on the child’s location and the complexity of the application.
Within Canada
| Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) | |
| Dependent child | 12 months | 13 months | 20 months |
Outside Canada
| Country | Processing Time | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| India | 6 months | 6 months | 8 months |
| Nigeria | 18 months | 19 months | 19 months |
Service standard: 12 months for outside-Canada cases.
Temporary Residence Applications
Temporary residence applications include visitor visas, work permits, study permits, and super visas. These are for individuals who want to come to Canada temporarily.
Visitor Visas
Visitor visas allow foreign nationals to enter Canada for tourism, family visits, or business. Processing times vary depending on the country of origin.
| Country | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Canada | 15 days | 19 days | 18 days |
| India | 75 days | 96 days | 57 days |
| Pakistan | 46 days | 59 days | 49 days |
| Nigeria | 28 days | 29 days | 53 days |
| United States | 23 days | 37 days | 17 days |
Service standard for outside-Canada applications: 14 days.
Work Permits
Work permits allow foreign nationals to work in Canada temporarily. Times differ by application type and where the application is submitted.
| Country | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Canada | 196 days | 226 days | 259 days |
| India | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Pakistan | 12 weeks | 8 weeks | 30 weeks |
| Nigeria | 11 weeks | 10 weeks | 13 weeks |
| United States | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | 9 weeks |
Service standards: 120 days (in Canada), 60 days (outside Canada).
Study Permits
Study permits are for international students attending designated learning institutions in Canada. Processing depends on where the applicant is located.
| Country | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Canada | 7 weeks | 11 weeks | 9 weeks |
| India | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | 10 weeks | 15 weeks |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
Service standards: 120 days (in Canada), 60 days (outside Canada).
Super Visas
Super visas allow parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended stays of up to five years per visit.
| Country | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| India | 153 days | 168 days | 208 days |
| Pakistan | 151 days | 203 days | 132 days |
| Nigeria | 52 days | 51 days | 44 days |
| United States | 78 days | 76 days | 207 days |
Service standard: 112 days.
Citizenship Applications
Canadian citizenship applications include grants for new citizens and certificates for those proving citizenship by descent. Processing depends on type and volume.
| Application Type | Processing Time (Oct 1, 2025) | Processing Time (Nov 4, 2025) | Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
| Citizenship grant | 13 months | 13 months | 13 months |
| Citizenship certificate (proof of status) | 7 months | 8 months | 10 months |
FAQ: Canada Immigration Application Processing Times
What are the current Express Entry processing times in 2026?
As of March 9, 2026, Express Entry applications take about seven months to process for both the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has a service standard of six months, but actual timelines can vary depending on application volumes and processing capacity.
Why do processing times change throughout the year?
Processing times change because the number of applications received by IRCC varies throughout the year. Backlogs, staffing levels, policy changes and application complexity can all affect how quickly files move through the system. IRCC updates its published processing times regularly to reflect the most recent averages.
How long does a Provincial Nominee Program application take?
Processing times depend on whether the application is submitted through Express Entry or through a base Provincial Nominee Program stream. As of March 9, 2026, enhanced PNP applications linked to Express Entry take about seven months, while base PNP applications processed outside Express Entry take approximately 13 months.
What factors can delay a Canadian immigration application?
Applications may take longer if documents are missing, medical or background checks require additional review, or if IRCC requests additional information. Processing may also slow during periods of high application volumes or when government policy changes affect program demand.
How accurate are IRCC processing times?
IRCC processing times are estimates based on how long it took to process most applications recently. They are not guarantees. Some applications may be processed faster, while others take longer depending on complexity, verification requirements and the country where the application is submitted.
