IRCC has updated the estimated processing times for immigration applications as of July 2, 2026. This applies to both temporary applications—work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and visitor status extensions—and certain permanent residence programs.
For many applicants, this is an important update, as these processing times are what people rely on when planning their work, studies, travel, status extensions in Canada, or the submission of follow-up documents.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that these times are not guaranteed. IRCC explicitly states that actual processing times may be longer or shorter. It depends on the type of application, the completeness of the documents, the complexity of the case, the need for additional checks, and the overall workload on the system.
Temporary Residence: What Has Changed
As of July 2, 2026, the estimated processing times for applicants applying from within Canada are as follows:
- work permit — 129 days;
- study permit — 7 weeks;
- visitor visa — 38 days;
- extension of visitor status via the Visitor Record — 245 days.
The most striking figure here is the Visitor Record. A wait of nearly 245 days means it’s best not to delay extending your status. If you plan to stay in Canada longer than the permitted period, you should submit your documents well in advance, rather than in the final weeks.
For work permits, the situation is slightly better: the processing time from Canada is 129 days. That’s still more than four months, so those who depend on a new or renewed work permit need to factor this time into their plans.
Processing times for study permits from within Canada are currently estimated at about 7 weeks. This can be critical for students planning to start their studies, change their program, or renew their documents.
Visitor Visas and Applications from Outside Canada
For a visitor visa, if the application is submitted from within Canada, the estimated processing time is 38 days.
However, for applicants outside Canada, the situation may be quite different. IRCC calculates processing times based on the country of application, so the same application category may have different wait times for applicants from India, the U.S., the Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan, or other countries.
That is why you should not rely solely on the general figure. Before submitting your documents, it is best to check the current processing time specific to your country and application type.
Permanent Residency: Express Entry, PNP, and Sponsorship
IRCC also updates processing times for specific permanent residency programs.
As of early July, estimated processing times include:
- Canadian Experience Class via Express Entry — about 7 months;
- Provincial Nominee Program via Express Entry — about 6 months;
- Sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner outside Quebec — about 26 months;
- Renewal or replacement of a PR card — 32 days.
For Express Entry applicants, these figures mean that even after receiving an ITA and submitting a complete application package, you should expect to wait several months.
The wait time for family sponsorship remains particularly long. When it comes to sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner outside of Quebec, the wait can be as long as approximately 26 months. For families, this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a real period of uncertainty that affects relocation, employment, housing, and family plans.
PR Cards: How Long to Wait
For those who already have permanent resident status, the processing time for a PR card is important.
Renewing or replacing a PR card currently takes about 32 days. A new PR card may take longer to process—about 37 days.
These processing times are especially important for people planning to travel outside of Canada. Without a valid PR card, returning to Canada via commercial transportation can be a problem, so it’s best not to wait until the last minute to renew your card.
Why Processing Times Are Constantly Changing
IRCC regularly updates processing times because they depend on the current workload.
Processing times can be influenced by:
- the number of applications in the queue;
- the number of staff processing a specific category;
- seasonal peaks in applications;
- the complexity of document verification;
- additional requests to the applicant;
- biometrics;
- medical examinations;
- security checks;
- errors or an incomplete application package.
This is why two similar applications may be processed differently. One applicant may receive a decision sooner than the estimated processing time, while another may have to wait longer due to additional verification or missing documents.
Important Steps for Applicants
Before submitting documents, be sure to check the current processing times on the official IRCC website. These times may change weekly or monthly depending on the application category.
It’s also important to:
- submit a complete set of documents;
- carefully review forms before submission;
- monitor notifications in your IRCC online account;
- respond promptly to requests from the ministry;
- avoid booking important trips without allowing for extra time;
- renew your status in advance;
- do not rely on other people’s experiences as a guarantee.
Processing time is only a guideline. It helps you get a rough idea of how long the review might take, but it does not guarantee a specific date for a decision.