Processing Times for Canadian Immigration Pathways as of April, 2025, based on available data from IRCC.
Understanding IRCC Processing Times
IRCC measures processing time from receipt of a complete application to a final decision. Estimates are updated monthly for permanent residence and citizenship and weekly for temporary residence and permanent resident (PR) cards. Exclusions include:
Expression of Interest (EOI) submission or Invitation to Apply (ITA) wait times.
Document preparation or mailing of permits/visas.
Biometrics processing (typically 8 weeks for visas).
Key Influencing Factors:
Volume: High application numbers increase backlogs (821,200 backlogged applications as of February 28, 2025).
Completeness: Missing documents trigger delays.
Country of Residence: Visa office caseloads vary.
Complexity: Verification-intensive streams (e.g., H&C) take longer.
IRCC Capacity: Automation, policy changes, and the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan (395,000 PRs in 2025) impact efficiency.
Processing Times by Pathway
1. Express Entry
Programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP, Express Entry-aligned).
Processing Times:
FSWP: 6 months
CEC: 6 months
FSTP: 6 months
PNP: 8 months
Analysis:
Express Entry meets IRCC’s 6-month standard for 80% of electronic applications, making it the fastest permanent residency pathway.
PNP takes longer due to provincial nomination (e.g., Alberta’s AAIP Express Entry Stream adds ~2 months).
As of February 28, 2025, 25% of Express Entry and 36% of PNP applications were backlogged, exceeding IRCC’s 20% target.
Spring 2025 policy changes removed LMIA-based CRS points, potentially reducing application volumes and stabilizing times.
Category-based draws (e.g., healthcare, French proficiency) influence CRS cutoffs, affecting ITA timelines.
Delays: Incomplete applications, additional verification, or high CRS score requirements.
2. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Purpose: Ensures foreign worker hiring does not harm Canadian labor markets, processed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Processing Times:
Global Talent Stream: 10–15 business days (average 12 days)
High-Wage Stream: 30–40 business days (average 35 days)
Low-Wage Stream: 40–50 business days (average 45 days)
Agricultural Stream: 25–35 business days (average 30 days)
Analysis:
Global Talent Stream is fastest, targeting tech roles.
LMIA approval precedes work permit applications, adding 2–5 weeks (inside Canada) or 5–17 weeks (outside Canada).
The Spring 2025 removal of LMIA-based CRS points may lower application volumes, potentially shortening times.
High-wage and low-wage streams face longer delays due to stricter labor market tests.
Delays: Incomplete employer documentation (e.g., recruitment proof), high volumes, or regional restrictions (e.g., no low-wage LMIAs in high-unemployment areas).
3. Spousal Sponsorship
Purpose: Allows citizens/PRs to sponsor spouses, common-law, or conjugal partners.
Processing Times:
Outside Canada (non-Quebec): 10 months
Outside Canada (Quebec): 36 months
Inside Canada (non-Quebec): 24 months
Inside Canada (Quebec): 32 months
Analysis:
Includes biometrics, eligibility, and relationship verification.
Quebec’s longer times stem from the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) requirement.
Automation tools reduced the family sponsorship backlog to 14% by February 28, 2025 (from 15% in January).
Complex cases (e.g., custody disputes) may take up to 24 months.
AOR recipients can apply for faster visitor visas.
Delays: Weak relationship evidence, additional requests, or high caseloads at visa offices (e.g., New Delhi).
4. Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Considerations
Purpose: Exceptional pathway for inadmissible/ineligible applicants with compelling circumstances.
Processing Time: 24–36 months (estimated, based on 2022 data and 2025 trends)
Analysis:
H&C applications averaged 32 months in December 2022 due to detailed humanitarian reviews.
73% of 76,200 Refugee and Humanitarian Class applications were backlogged in 2022, with no significant 2025 reduction reported.
Applicants must request specific IRPA exemptions with strong evidence.
Only one H&C application is processed at a time.
Delays: Extensive verification, high volumes, or weak submissions.
Purpose: Allows parents/grandparents to visit for up to 5 years per entry.
Processing Time: 3–8 months (varies by country/visa office)
Analysis:
Depends on visa office caseload and country (e.g., longer for India).
Requires proof of relationships, medical insurance, and host financial support.
Biometrics (8 weeks) are included.
Recent insurance requirement changes improved accessibility.
Delays: Incomplete insurance/financial proof or high-volume visa offices.
Tip: Submit complete documents; check country-specific times on Canada.ca.
6. Visitor Visa
Purpose: Permits tourism, family visits, or business for up to 6 months.
Processing Times:
Inside Canada: 16 days
Outside Canada: 30 days (post-biometrics, varies by country)
Biometrics: 8 weeks (included)
Analysis:
Country-specific variations persist (e.g., India faces delays).
65% of applications were backlogged as of February 28, 2025, against a 50% target.
Spousal sponsorship AOR holders receive priority.
Weekly updates ensure accuracy.
Delays: Missing travel history, financial proof, or seasonal peaks.
7. Refugee Pathways
Programs: Government-Assisted Refugees, Private Sponsorship, In-Canada Asylum Claims.
Processing Times:
Government-Assisted: 24–30 months
Private Sponsorship: 18–27 months
In-Canada Asylum: 24–36 months
Analysis:
2022 data showed 76% of 23,000 government-assisted and 73% of 76,200 private sponsorship applications backlogged.
The 2025–2027 plan targets 79,000 refugee admissions, straining resources.
Automation and the Permanent Residence Portal slightly improve private sponsorship efficiency.
Verification complexity drives long timelines.
Delays: Global demand, security checks, and backlogs (55,700 private sponsorships in 2022).
Study Permit
Processing Times:
Outside Canada: 5–17 weeks
Inside Canada: 4 weeks
Extension: 207 days
Work Permit
Processing Times:
Inside Canada: 218 days
Outside Canada: 5–17 weeks
PGWP: 5–6 months (online), 2 months (paper)
Analysis: 32% backlogged (February 2025). LMIA-based permits add time.
Citizenship
Processing Times:
Grant: 7 months
Certificate: 3 months
Analysis: 18% of 239,600 applications backlogged (February 2025). AORs issued for March 17, 2025, submissions.
Tip: Verify residency (1,095 days in 5 years).
Permanent Resident (PR) Card
Processing Times:
New: 26 days
Renewal/Replacement: 91 days
Analysis: Weekly updates; delays from verification.
Influencing Factors
Backlogs: 2,029,400 applications in inventory, 821,200 backlogged (40%) as of February 28, 2025.
Automation: Tools like Chinook and analytics for spousal sponsorships speed routine cases but flag complex ones.
Policy: Reduced 2025 PR target (395,000) prioritizes economic streams, easing backlogs.
Changes: LMIA point removal and flag poling restrictions (December 2024) streamline processes.
Visa Offices: Regional variations persist.
Tips to Minimize Delays
Submit complete applications to avoid requests.
Use online portals for faster processing.
Track status via IRCC’s Client Application Status tool.
Respond promptly to biometrics/information requests.
Consult immigration representatives for complex cases (H&C, refugee).
Check visa office-specific times on Canada.ca.
Apply early to navigate seasonal peaks.
