# IRCC Processing Times 2026: PR, Family, Citizenship & More

> Current IRCC processing times for Express Entry, PNP, family sponsorship, citizenship and more, with people waiting and a decision-date estimator.

IRCC processing times mirrored from IRCC's published figures as of October 9, 2026.
IRCC's figure is the time it took to finalise 80% of recent applications. Rows marked
"app estimate" are not in IRCC's published table and use the app's typical figure.

## Temporary Residence

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Visitor visa | 2 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |
| Super visa (parents) | 4 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |
| Study permit | 3 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |
| Work permit | 4 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |

Typical stages: Submitted → Biometrics → Review → Decision.

## Economic Immigration

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 26 months | 11,500 |  |
| Canadian Experience Class | 6 months | 53,900 | Online via Express Entry |
| Caregivers (all programs) | 77 months | 36,400 | varies by country |
| Provincial Nominees — Express Entry | 7 months | 13,100 | Online via Express Entry |
| Provincial Nominees — non-Express Entry | 13 months | 96,500 |  |
| Self-employed persons (Federal) | 10 years | 8,000 | varies by country |
| Quebec Business Class | 75 months | 3,600 | varies by country |
| Skilled workers (Federal) | 7 months | 58,300 | Online via Express Entry |
| Skilled trades (Federal) | 7 months |  | Online via Express Entry; app estimate |
| Skilled workers (Quebec) | 11 months | 20,500 | varies by country |
| Start-up visa | 10 years | 47,500 |  |

Typical stages: Submitted → Biometrics & AOR → Eligibility & background → Final decision.

## Family Sponsorship

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spouse / partner (inside Canada) | 26 months | 55,600 |  |
| Spouse / partner (outside Canada) | 18 months | 65,600 |  |
| Dependent child | 41 months | 60,400 | varies by country |
| Parents & grandparents | 28 months | 35,600 |  |

Typical stages: Submitted → Sponsor approval → Biometrics & medicals → Applicant review → Final decision.

## Refugees

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Government-assisted refugees | 14 months | 17,900 | varies by country |
| Privately sponsored refugees | 40 months | 71,000 | varies by country |

Typical stages: Submitted → Biometrics & AOR → Eligibility & background → Final decision.

## Humanitarian & Compassionate

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Humanitarian and compassionate cases | 10 years | 58,800 | varies by country |

Typical stages: Submitted → Biometrics & AOR → Eligibility & background → Final decision.

## Passport

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Passport (in Canada) | 1 month |  | app estimate |

Typical stages: Submitted → Processing → Mailed out.

## Citizenship

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Citizenship grant | 12 months | 322,700 |  |
| Proof of citizenship (certificate) | 34 months | 130,700 |  |

Typical stages: Submitted → AOR → Test & interview → Decision → Oath ceremony.

## Permanent Resident Cards

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PR card — renewal or replacement | 2 months |  | app estimate |
| PR card — first card | 2 months |  | app estimate |

Typical stages: Submitted → Processing → Mailed out.

## Replacing or Amending Documents

| Application | Processing time | People waiting | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Verification of status | 10 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |
| Amending immigration documents | 10 months |  | varies by country; app estimate |

Typical stages: Submitted → Processing → Mailed out.

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Unofficial. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to IRCC or the Government of Canada.
All scores, predictions and timelines are estimates for guidance only and are not immigration
advice. Verify with the official IRCC tools at canada.ca before making decisions.

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