Canada Immigration Update: IRCC Processing Times See Mixed Changes Since Mid-July 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated data on application processing times across multiple immigration categories. Compared to mid-July 2025, the results show a mixed landscape—while some applications are being finalized faster, others now face longer waits.
This update covers permanent residence, work permits, study permits, temporary visas, and citizenship applications, providing insights into where delays or improvements are occurring.
Permanent Residence Applications
Express Entry Programs
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Processing remains unchanged at 5 months, aligning with IRCC’s service standard of 6 months.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Increased slightly from 6 months to 7 months. This indicates a small backlog building in federal economic immigration streams.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Still no published data, as IRCC notes “insufficient volume” for consistent estimates.
Implication: For skilled workers applying through Express Entry, timelines remain relatively stable, with only a minor extension in FSWP.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Enhanced PNP (via Express Entry): Still 8 months.
- Base PNP (non-Express Entry): Increased from 19 months to 20 months, showing delays in paper-based applications.
Implication: Enhanced PNP applicants continue to benefit from faster digital processing, while base PNPs remain lengthy and continue to face growing backlogs.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Processing times have grown from 12 months to 13 months.
- While slower, the AIP remains attractive because applicants can secure a special work permit while awaiting a final decision, allowing them to work for up to two years.
Family and Partner Sponsorship
This category shows some of the longest delays compared to July.
- Spouse/Common-Law Partner Class (outside Quebec): Now 36 months, up from 34 months.
- Family Class (outside Quebec): Increased from 11 to 13 months.
- Spouse/Common-Law Partner Class (Quebec): Up to 40 months from 38 months.
- Family Class (Quebec): Now 41 months, up from 37 months.
Implication: Applicants sponsoring spouses or partners face two- to four-month additional waits, with Quebec applications experiencing the biggest setbacks. This continues to fuel concerns about family reunification delays.
Temporary Residence Applications
Visitor Visas (Outside Canada)
Processing times are highly country-specific.
- India: Jumped to 58 days (from 28) → biggest delay.
- Pakistan: Increased to 48 days (from 36).
- Nigeria: Improved to 32 days (from 56).
- Philippines: Faster at 20 days (from 33).
- United States: Slight rise to 23 days (from 21).
Implication: Applicants from India and Pakistan face notable slowdowns, while Nigeria and Philippines show faster approvals.
Visitor Visas (Inside Canada)
- Improved processing, now just 14 days compared to 18 days in July.
Visitor Records
- Now 176 days, reduced from 193 days, showing some backlog clearance.
Work Permits
Outside Canada
Processing times continue to vary significantly by country:
- India: Increased to 8 weeks from 7 weeks.
- Pakistan: Jumped to 9 weeks from 5 weeks → largest delay.
- Nigeria: Slightly faster, 11 weeks (down from 12).
- Philippines: Stable at 6 weeks.
- United States: Faster, now 3 weeks (previously 4).
Implication: Pakistan applicants face longer delays, while US-based applicants now enjoy quicker approvals.
Inside Canada
- Now 188 days, compared to 182 days in July.
- These times cover both new permits and extensions.
Study Permits
Outside Canada
- India: Steady at 3 weeks.
- Pakistan: Improved, down to 9 weeks from 11.
- Nigeria: Slower, now 8 weeks (up from 5).
- Philippines: Faster, 7 weeks (down from 10).
- United States: Longer, 10 weeks (up from 7).
Implication: Indian applicants remain well-placed for quick results, while Nigeria and US-based students are experiencing new delays.
Inside Canada
- Processing times decreased to 10 weeks (from 12).
- Study Permit Extensions: Now 164 days, compared to 180 days in July.
Citizenship Applications
Citizenship Grants
- Remain steady at 10 months, within the 12-month service standard.
Proof of Citizenship (Certificates)
- Still 5 months for Canada/US applications.
- Abroad applications may take 3–4 months longer.
Overall Takeaways
- Permanent Residence: Family sponsorship is facing the heaviest delays, especially in Quebec.
- Temporary Residence: Indian visitor visas are taking much longer, while Nigerian and Filipino applicants benefit from faster approvals.
- Work Permits: Mixed results, with Pakistan significantly slower but US-based applicants faster.
- Study Permits: Stable for India, better for Pakistan/Philippines, but slower for Nigeria/US.
- Citizenship: Stable and within targets.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
