Canada Immigration Processing Times: How Long Does it Take?

One of the most common questions asked by potential Canadian immigrants is “how long will my immigration application take to be processed?” We put together all the information you need about immigration processing times and how long it takes to immigrate to Canada.

Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

Applicants for any type of visa or permit to Canada should consider the average processing times when calculating how long it will take for them to hear back on their application

Definition: In Canadian immigration, the processing time is how long it takes authorities with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process your application, from the day they receive it to the day they come to a decision.

Please note that processing times do not include the time it may take to submit an expression of interest and receive an Invitation to Apply, to prepare documents, to submit an application, or for the mailing of finalized visas, permits, status cards, etc.

What Affects my Processing Time?

There are a few factors that will affect the processing time of your application and how long it takes to immigrate or come to Canada:

1. Country of residence: Some IRCC processing times vary depending on a person’s country of residence. Each application is different for each person and takes a different amount of time to process.
2. Type of application: Processing times for different types of visas and permits also differ. The type of application, as well as the number of candidates currently being processed in that category, can both affect the processing time. If a program receives more applications than expected, then it may take longer to process.
3. Completeness: If an application is incomplete, IRCC may either refuse the applicant altogether, or they may request more information which can cause significant delays to processing.

Average Processing Times for Immigration Programs

Below, we go through some of the most popular streams and approximate processing times. It is important to remember that processing times cannot be guaranteed and are estimates only. The following times are based on IRCC’s average processing times as stated on June, 2025.

Please note that sometimes processing times depend on whether an application was submitted electronically using the online procedure, in person through a paper-based procedure, or by mail.

* If you have already applied, you can check your status page for more information on the processing time for your application.

Express Entry Processing Times

This includes the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) streams, as well as some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

An application submitted through Express Entry is processed within 5-8 months from the date it is received, depending on the stream you are applying through. For current processing times, please visit the IRCCs page for the most current information.

Please note that the processing times do not include the time it takes to submit an Express Entry profile, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and prepare the final application for submission. If you’re looking to find out the estimated duration for the entire Express Entry process, starting from the preparation stage, please refer to our guide titled How Long Does Express Entry Take in Canada?

Study Permit Processing Times

Study permits vary greatly in processing time depending on the applicant’s country of residence.

Processing times for study visas vary significantly by country. For some countries, such as Algeria and Spain, the shortest processing time is approximately 3 weeks. However, applicants from other regions, such as South Africa, may face processing times upwards of 30 weeks. It’s also important to note that visa processing times can fluctuate based on the volume of applications. If you’re applying close to the start of Canada’s academic year, delays are more likely due to increased demand. To see current processing times for student visas, please visit the IRCCs website.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Processing Times

This is a visa type that falls under the work permit extension category. Application processing times for post-graduation work permits vary depending on which method you use to apply.

If you submit your application online or by mail, it should be processed between 80 and 180 days.

Permanent Resident Card Processing Times

A new permanent resident (PR) card takes 49 days to process. However, renewing or replacing an old PR card can take 14 days to process.

Sponsoring a Spouse for Permanent Residence Processing Times

Applications take anywhere between 11-37 months to be processed when sponsoring a spouse for permanent residence.

Processing times used to vary depending on whether the spouse was residing inside or outside of Canada (inland sponsorship vs outland sponsorship).

If you are applying to live in Quebec, the processing time could take up to 38 months.

Visitor Visa Processing Times

Processing times for a visitor visa depend on where you are making the application from, and how.

If you apply from within Canada, online and paper-based applications are processed within 23 days. However, applications made from outside of Canada will vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence. Please see the IRCC’s website to determine the processing time from your country of residence.

How long it takes to immigrate to Canada can vary greatly depending on the details of your case. It should be noted that all times mentioned above are in no way guaranteed, and are subject to change without notice, at the discretion of IRCC.

To find out more about moving to Canada under any category, get in touch with us today by completing a free assessment form below!