IRCC's processing-times page now estimates the weeks left and people ahead for in-Canada work permit extension, PGWP and study permit extension applicants.
IRCC's official processing-times page now gives in-Canada work permit extension applicants an estimate of the time left on their own application, based on the date they applied, instead of only a general figure for new applications. The estimate also covers new post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), bridging open work permits and change-of-conditions applications. This is a change to an information tool, not to the rules for getting a permit.
What changed on the processing-times page
On Check processing times, choosing Temporary residence, then Work permit extension in Canada, now asks “Have you already applied?”. If you answer yes and enter your application date, the page shows an estimated time left in weeks, roughly how many people are ahead of you, and the total number waiting. IRCC's data was last updated October 4, 2026, and the page says it is updated weekly. The same option appears for Study permit extension in Canada.
| Work permit extension in Canada | Study permit extension in Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| People waiting for a decision | About 208,900 | About 29,000 |
| Estimate for someone applying now | 13 weeks | 9 weeks |
What the estimate looks like by application date
These are IRCC's own estimates for work permit extension applications, read from the page's data on October 9, 2026. They move every week.
| Applied in | Estimated time left | People ahead (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Early June 2026 | 4 weeks | 66,400 |
| Early July 2026 | 5 weeks | 80,300 |
| Early August 2026 | 7 weeks | 106,100 |
| Mid-August 2026 | 7 weeks | 122,800 |
| Early September 2026 | 9 weeks | 157,500 |
| Mid-September 2026 | 11 weeks | 191,000 |
Who this applies to
The personalized estimate is for people inside Canada who applied for:
- an extension of an existing work permit
- a new post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- a bridging open work permit
- a change of conditions on a work permit
- a study permit extension (shown under its own option)
Who it does not apply to
Work permit applications made from outside Canada, and other first work permits applied for inside Canada (the separate Work permit in Canada option), still show only the general estimate for new applications.
What it does not change
For some older application dates, the page shows “We need more time to process your application” instead of a number of weeks. That message means your file has passed the usual estimate. It does not mean it has been refused.
An estimate is not a decision date. Your eligibility, the documents you need and maintained status rules are unchanged.
What to do next
Look up your own application date on IRCC's page, and check that your status and address are up to date in your IRCC account. If you are working on maintained status while you wait, keep proof that you applied before your permit expired. Our processing times tool summarises current IRCC estimates, and our September processing-times update covers the wider picture. If you are planning your route to permanent residence while you wait, the CRS calculator shows where your Express Entry profile stands.
Processing times are IRCC estimates and change weekly. No outcome or timeline is guaranteed. Official source: IRCC: Check processing times.
