IRCC Processing Times Update – May 2025

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated processing times for various immigration and visa applications as of May 2025. These updates provide applicants with current estimates to better plan their immigration journey.

Citizenship Applications:

• Citizenship Grant: Processing time has increased to 10 months, up from 8 months.
• Citizenship Certificate: Now takes 4 months, up from 3 months.
• Renunciation of Citizenship: Processing time reduced to 7 months, down from 8 months.
• Search of Citizenship Records: Remains at 15 months.
• Resumption of Citizenship: No available estimate.

Note: Applicants who submitted their files around March 24, 2025, should expect their Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) soon. Delays may occur for those applying from outside Canada or the U.S.

Permanent Residency (PR) Card Processing:

• New PR Card: Processing time is now 35 days, up from 19 days.
• PR Card Renewal: Remains at 10 days.

Tip: Submitting a complete application helps avoid delays.

Family Sponsorship:

Processing times vary by region and application type:

• Spouse/Common-Law (Outside Canada, Non-Quebec): 10 months (down from 11 months).
• Spouse/Common-Law (Outside Canada, Quebec): 36 months (up from 35 months).
• Spouse/Common-Law (Inside Canada, Non-Quebec): 29 months (up from 24 months).
• Spouse/Common-Law (Inside Canada, Quebec): 36 months (unchanged).
• Parents/Grandparents (Non-Quebec): 36 months (unchanged).
• Parents/Grandparents (Quebec): 48 months (unchanged).

Insight: Quebec’s extended timelines stem from its unique immigration agreements with the federal government.

Canadian Passport Processing:

• In-Person Application: 10 business days.
• By Mail (Inside Canada): 20 business days.
• Urgent Pick-Up: By the end of the next business day.
• Express Pick-Up: 2–9 business days.
• Regular Passport (Mailed from Outside Canada): 20 business days.

Economic Class Permanent Residency:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months (no change).
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months (down from 6 months).
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry): 5 months (down from 6 months).
• Non-Express Entry PNP: 20 months (down from 21 months).
• Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months (no change).
• Federal Self-Employed: 53 months (up from 50 months).
• Start-Up Visa: 41 months (up from 40 months).
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 11 months (no change).

Temporary Resident Visas:

Processing times vary by country and visa type:

• Visitor Visa (Outside Canada):
  • India: 19 days (up from 18 days).
  • United States: 18 days (up from 17 days).
  • Nigeria: 89 days (down from 93 days).
  • Pakistan: 25 days (up from 23 days).
  • Philippines: 27 days (up from 25 days).
• Visitor Visa (Inside Canada): 20 days (up from 17 days).
• Visitor Visa Extension: 163 days (up from 140 days).
• Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents):
  • India: 119 days (down from 127 days).
  • United States: 74 days (down from 94 days).
  • Nigeria: 68 days (up from 61 days).
  • Pakistan: 172 days (up from 138 days).
  • Philippines: 116 days (down from 3 days).
• Study Permit (Outside Canada):
  • India: 8 weeks (no change).
  • United States: 5 weeks (up from 4 weeks).
  • Nigeria: 5 weeks (down from 6 weeks).
  • Pakistan: 9 weeks (up from 8 weeks).
  • Philippines: 11 weeks (up from 10 weeks).
• Study Permit (Inside Canada): 4 weeks (no change).
• Study Permit Extension: 223 days (up from 220 days).
• Work Permit (Outside Canada):
  • India: 18 weeks (no change).
  • United States: 17 weeks (no change).
  • Nigeria: 9 weeks (no change).
  • Pakistan: 8 weeks (no change).
  • Philippines: 7 weeks (no change).
• Work Permit (Inside Canada): 233 days (up from 227 days).
• Other Temporary Visas:
  • Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): 11 days (no change).
  • International Experience Canada (IEC): 5 weeks (up from 4 weeks).
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Typically 5 minutes (up to 72 hours possible).

Note: These are estimated timelines and not guaranteed. Actual processing may vary depending on case complexity and documentation requirements.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!