What Is Processing Time?
Processing time is the period it takes to assess the documents submitted for an application and ensure it meets the requirements of that application. The processing time starts the day IRCC receives the complete application and ends when the immigration officer makes a decision on the application.
The processing time varies depending on how many applications are received and how the application was submitted, on paper or online.
IRCC is working toward its goal of processing 80% of applications within its service standards. A service standard is an internal benchmark IRCC sets to process applications for each line of business. As part of its plan to reduce backlogs, IRCC is:
- Hiring more employees to speed up processing across all business lines
- Reviewing and improving its processes so it can eliminate steps and use technologies to support its employees and speed up the processing
- Increasing permanent resident targets year after year to accommodate as many new immigrants as possible and further reduce the backlog.
Processing Times For Different Applications
It is worth noting that this processing time is just an aggregate of the time required. It might take a longer or shorter time to process.
The updated processing times for the IRCC Canada visa as of April 6th, 2023 are listed below. Bear in mind that these processing times listed below are subject to change by IRCC at any time.
Permanent Residence Cards and Citizenship
Below are the Canada permanent residency application type and processing time:
| Application Type | Current Processing Time |
| Renewing or replacing a PR card | 62 days |
| Waiting for the first card | 30 days |
| Citizenship grant | 22 months |
| Certificate/proof of citizenship | 12 months |
| Resumption of citizenship | 30 months |
| Renunciation of citizenship | 14 months |
| A search of citizenship record | 15 months |
| Citizenship for adopted persons | Part 1: 12 months part 2: varies by complexity |
Family Sponsorship
Application Type and processing time for Family Sponsorship
| Application Type | Current Processing Time |
| Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada | 14 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada | 16 months |
| Dependent child | Depends on where the child lives |
| Parents or grandparents | 25 months |
| Adopted child / relative | Depends on where the adopted child or relative lives |
Temporary Residence Application
Application Type and processing time for Canada Temporary Residence Application
| Application Type | Current Processing Time |
| Visitor visa outside Canada | Varies by country |
| Visitor visa inside Canada | 11 days online33 days by paper |
| Visitor visa extension (visitor record) | 175 days online 98 days by paper |
| Parent’s or Grandparent’s Super Visa | Varies by country |
| Study permit outside Canada | 9 weeks |
| Study permit in Canada | 2 weeks |
| Study permit extension | 77 days online99 days by paper |
| Work permit outside Canada | Varies by country |
| Work permit inside Canada initial application and extension) | 146 days online17 days by paper |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) | 26 days |
| International Experience Canada | Current season: 4 weeks |
| Electronic Travel Authorization | 5 minutes |
Processing Times For Applications Under The Economic Immigration, Humanitarian, Refugees, and Caregivers Visa Category
Processing Times For Economic Immigration, Humanitarian, Refugees, and Caregivers Visa Category
| Application Type | Current Processing Time |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) online via Express Entry | 5 months |
| Caregivers: Home child care Provider PilotHome Support Worker Pilot | Experience 24 months or more: 30 months experience 24 months or more: 26 months |
| Provincial Nominee Program online via Express Entry | 10 months |
| Non-Express Entry PNP | 20 months |
| Self-employed persons (Federal) | 44 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) online via Express Entry | 27 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) online via Express Entry | Not provided |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4 months |
| Quebec skilled worker | 20 months |
| Quebec business class | 67 months |
| Start-up visa | 35 months |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate | 22 months |
| Refugee’s Government-assisted and Privately sponsored | Depends on where you are applying from |
| Application for permanent resident status for protected persons and convention refugees (in Canada) | 24 months |