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Immigration Processing Times
Approximate processing times based on official IRCC data for major immigration programs.
⚠️ Important Notice — Processing Times Change Constantly
The figures on this page are based on data from End of April 2026. IRCC updates its statistics monthly and times can shift significantly within weeks. Some visa categories (such as visitor visas, work permits, and study permits) also have country-specific processing times — figures shown reflect commonly requested source countries.
👉 For the most accurate and up-to-date times, always check the official Government of Canada website directly: canada.ca/check-processing-times →
Country-specificThis label indicates the processing time varies by country of residence. Figures shown are for commonly requested countries. Use the IRCC tool to check your specific country.
🗓️Data: End of April 2026✏️Last Updated: 2026-05-01📌Source: IRCC & official provincial reports
Canada — Permanent Residence
| Program | Processing Time | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) | 6 months | After ITA (Invitation to Apply); ~44,100 in queue | Fast |
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 7 months | After ITA; ~54,600 in queue | Fast |
PNP — Express Entry stream (enhanced) | 7 months | After provincial nomination; ~13,700 in queue | Fast |
PNP — Base stream (non-Express Entry) | 13 months | ~108,100 in queue; varies by province | Medium |
Family Sponsorship — Spouse/Partner (outside Canada, non-Quebec) | 15 months | ~49,200 in queue | Medium |
Family Sponsorship — Spouse/Partner (inside Canada, non-Quebec) | 24 months | ~53,900 in queue | Slow |
Family Sponsorship — Spouse/Partner (Quebec) | 31–32 months | Inside or outside Canada; ~31,400 in queue combined | Slow |
Family Sponsorship — Parents & Grandparents (non-Quebec) | 34 months | ~44,900 in queue; subject to annual intake caps | Slow |
Family Sponsorship — Parents & Grandparents (Quebec) | 67 months | ~11,200 in queue | Slow |
Quebec Skilled Worker | 11 months | ~25,700 in queue | Medium |
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | 40 months | ~13,200 in queue | Slow |
Startup Visa | 10+ years | ~46,200 in queue — significant backlog | Slow |
Canada — Temporary Visas
| Program | Processing Time | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
Visitor Visa (TRV) — from outside CanadaCountry-specific | 17 days – 6+ months | Varies heavily by source country. Iran: ~165 days · Pakistan: 48d · Nigeria: 45d · India: 27d · US: 22d · Philippines: 17d. Countries subject to additional security screening can take significantly longer — check IRCC tool for your country. | Medium |
Visitor Visa — extension inside Canada | 306 days | Apply well before current status expires | Slow |
Super Visa (parents/grandparents)Country-specific | 1 month – 6+ months | Varies by source country. India: 168d · US: 115d · Pakistan: 102d · Nigeria: 37d · Philippines: 34d. Iran and other countries with additional screening may exceed these estimates — check IRCC tool. | Medium |
Study Permit (outside Canada)Country-specific | 4 weeks – 5+ months | Varies significantly by country. Pakistan: 9w · Nigeria: 5w · US: 6w · India: 4w · Philippines: 4w. Iran and countries requiring additional screening can take considerably longer — check IRCC tool for your country. | Medium |
Study Permit — extension inside Canada | 86 days | Apply before current permit expires | Medium |
Work Permit — Global Talent Stream (GTS) | ~2 weeks | After LMIA approval (~10 business days); for qualifying IT occupations; employer must apply under GTS stream | Fast |
Work Permit — LMIA-based (outside Canada)Country-specific | 6 weeks – 5+ months | Varies significantly by country. India: 9w · US: 6w · Nigeria: 7w · Pakistan: 8w · Philippines: 7w. Iran and countries with additional security screening can take considerably longer — check IRCC tool. | Medium |
Work Permit — inside Canada (incl. extensions) | 217 days | Apply before current permit expires; PGWP at port of entry is faster | Slow |
International Experience Canada (IEC) | 5 weeks | After receiving IEC letter of introduction | Fast |
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program | 7 days | Employer-driven; very fast processing | Fast |
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | Minutes–72 hrs | Visa-exempt nationals only; most approved within minutes | Fast |
Post-PR & Citizenship
| Program | Processing Time | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
PR Card — new permanent residents | 44 days | Mailed to Canadian address on file | Fast |
PR Card — renewal | 28 days | Apply well before expiry; do not travel without valid PR card | Fast |
Travel Document (PRTD — outside Canada) | ~2 weeks | For PR holders outside Canada without valid PR card; emergency processing available | Fast |
Citizenship Application (Grant) | 12 months | ~313,200 in queue; must meet 1,460-day physical presence requirement | Medium |
Citizenship Certificate | 10 months | ~56,300 in queue | Medium |
Renunciation of Citizenship | 10 months | Medium |
Global Programs
| Program | Processing Time | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
US EB-5 Investor VisaCountry-specific | 2–5 years | Varies by country of birth; China/India/Vietnam face longer backlogs | Slow |
Caribbean CBI (Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, etc.)Country-specific | 3–6 months | Varies by country and investment option chosen | Medium |
North Macedonia CBI | 6–12 months | EUR €200K investment + 10 jobs; ITC iLand is an Authorized Agent | Medium |
Portugal Golden Visa | 12–24 months | Significant backlog; citizenship after 5 years | Slow |
Greece Golden Visa | 3–6 months | €800K minimum in prime areas | Medium |
UAE Golden Visa | 1–2 months | 10-year renewable | Fast |
Turkey Citizenship by Investment | 3–6 months | $400K real estate minimum | Medium |
UK Innovator Founder Visa | 6–10 weeks | After endorsement by approved body | Fast |
Spain Digital Nomad VisaCountry-specific | 4–8 weeks | Consulate processing times vary by country | Fast |
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Business/entrepreneur streams: time shown is until work permit approval. All other streams: time shown is until provincial nomination. For federal PR processing after nomination, see the Permanent Residence table above.
🏢Business / Entrepreneur Streams — Until Work Permit Approval
| Province | Stream | To Work Permit | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category | 6–10 months | Invitation → business establishment → work permit; min. CAD $600K investment | Medium |
| British Columbia | BC Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot | 4–7 months | Faster processing; min. CAD $200K in eligible regional communities | Medium |
| Alberta | Alberta Entrepreneur Stream (AAIP) | 4–8 months | To work permit after business establishment agreement; min. CAD $300K | Medium |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Business Investor Stream (MPNP) | 5–8 months | To work permit after business plan approval and site visit; min. CAD $250K | Medium |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Entrepreneur & Farm Streams (SINP) | Closed | Both streams closed to new applications as of March 27, 2025 — check saskatchewan.ca for reopening announcements | Slow |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream | 4–7 months | To work permit; requires exploratory visit and business plan | Medium |
| New Brunswick | NB Entrepreneur Stream | 4–7 months | To work permit; min. CAD $250K investment; must visit province first | Medium |
| Ontario | Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OINP) | TBD — stream revamped May 30, 2026 | Previous stream revoked May 30, 2026; new entrepreneur pathway expected later 2026 — check ontario.ca for updates | Medium |
👷Skilled Worker / Graduate / Canadian Experience Streams — Until Provincial Nomination
| Province | Stream | To Nomination | Notes | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC Skills Immigration (Skilled Worker, Entry Level, International Graduate) | 1–3 months | From registration to nomination via monthly draws; BC PNP draws are frequent | Fast |
| British Columbia | BC Tech Pilot (for Express Entry tech workers) | 2–4 months | Targeted draws for tech NOCs; high scores invited frequently | Fast |
| Alberta | Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) — Skilled Worker streams | 3–6 months | Alberta Express Entry, Alberta Opportunity, Rural Renewal streams; job offer required for most | Medium |
| Ontario | Ontario OINP — Employer Job Offer streams (Phase 1, effective May 30, 2026) | 3–5 months | New consolidated stream launched May 30, 2026; requires valid job offer from Ontario employer; Human Capital / graduate streams pending Phase 2 (later 2026) | Medium |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) — Skilled Worker | 3–7 months | International Skilled Worker and Saskatchewan Experience categories; some sectors capped | Medium |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) — Skilled Workers & International Education | 3–6 months | EOI pool → invitation → nomination; targeted draws for support-letter holders ongoing in 2026 | Medium |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) | 2–5 months | EOIs valid for 12 months (from May 2026); occupations in demand vary by intake | Fast |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick SNS / Express Entry streams | 3–6 months | Job offer from NB employer required for most streams | Medium |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI Provincial Nominee Program | 2–5 months | Express Entry and Labour Impact categories; PEI job offer typically required | Fast |
| Atlantic Provinces | Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | 3–5 months | Employer endorsement → nomination; note: PR processing after nomination is ~40 months (see PR table) | Medium |
Official sources to verify processing times:
- • IRCC Processing Times Tool — canada.ca
- • Express Entry Rounds of Invitations — canada.ca
- • Provincial Nominee Programs — canada.ca
ITC iLand accepts no responsibility for changes to processing times after the update date of this page. Always consult a licensed RCIC before making immigration decisions.
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