How Have IRCC’s Processing Times Changed Over the Past Year?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly updates its processing times to provide transparency for applicants. These updates, published weekly or monthly, reflect the time it takes to process visas, permanent residence, and citizenship applications. Over the past year, significant changes have occurred across various immigration streams, influenced by factors like application volume, staffing levels, and policy updates.

How Processing Time Is Measured

Processing begins when IRCC receives an application. For online submissions, it starts at the time of submission, while paper applications begin when they arrive at the mailroom. The estimated times apply to 80% of applications and can vary due to complexity or additional checks.

Permanent Residence (PR) Applications

Express Entry (EE) Programs

Express Entry remains a key pathway to Canadian permanent residence. It includes the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Processing times for CEC and FSWP have remained stable at 5 months. FSTP data is now unavailable but was previously 6 months.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

PNP processing times have shown more variability. Express Entry-aligned PNP decreased from 6 to 5 months, while non-Express Entry PNP increased significantly from 11 to 20 months. This rise highlights growing backlogs or higher application volumes.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP saw processing times rise from 7 to 11 months. This suggests increased demand or delays in processing for this program.

Citizenship Applications

As of May 2025, citizenship processing times have lengthened. Citizenship grants now take 10 months (up from 8 months), while citizenship certificates remain at 4 months (previously 3 months). Renunciation of citizenship is now slightly faster at 7 months (down from 8 months).

Visitor Visas

Visitor visa processing times have seen minimal changes. Applications from outside Canada remain steady at 19 days, while in-Canada applications increased from 20 to 23 days.

Factors Influencing Processing Times

Several factors drive changes in IRCC processing times, including application volume, backlogs, staffing levels, and policy updates. These elements can cause delays, especially for complex or incomplete applications.

In summary, while Express Entry streams have remained stable, other programs like non-Express Entry PNP and AIP have seen significant increases. Citizenship applications are also taking longer, while visitor visas remain largely unchanged. These shifts underscore the importance of staying informed about IRCC updates and understanding that processing times can vary based on individual circumstances.

Express Entry (EE) Programs

Program-Specific Processing Times

The Express Entry system, which manages three main programs, has shown consistent processing times over the past year. Below is a detailed breakdown of the processing times for each program:

As shown in the table above, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) have maintained consistent processing times of 5 months. However, data for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is currently unavailable, though it was previously reported at 6 months in June 2024.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has experienced notable changes in processing times over the past year. Specifically:

• Express Entry-aligned PNP: Processing times decreased from 6 months in June 2024 to 5 months in May 2025.
• Non-Express Entry PNP: Processing times increased significantly from 11 months to 20 months during the same period.

This significant increase in processing times for non-Express Entry PNP pathways reflects growing backlogs or higher application volumes in that stream.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), designed for skilled workers in Atlantic Canada, saw its processing time rise from 7 months to 11 months over the year. This suggests increased demand or processing delays in this specific program.

Citizenship Applications

Updates as of May 2025 included:

• Citizenship grant: Now 10 months (previously 8 months)
• Citizenship certificate: Now 4 months (previously 3 months)
• Renunciation of citizenship: Now 7 months (previously 8 months)

These changes point to lengthening waits for most citizenship-related applications, with the exception of renunciation, which became slightly faster.

Visitor Visas

Visitor visa processing times have changed only slightly:

• Visitor visa outside Canada: 19 days (no significant change)
• Visitor visa inside Canada: 23 days (up from 20 days in April 2025)

Factors Influencing Processing Times

Changes in IRCC processing times are influenced by:

• Application volume and seasonal surges
• Backlogs from previous years
• Staffing levels
• Policy and procedural updates

Processing times are not guarantees and may increase if applications are incomplete or require additional checks. IRCC now provides updated and more precise timelines, helping applicants better plan their journeys, renewals, or transitions to permanent residency or citizenship.

In Summary

While Express Entry categories remain stable, many other streams, particularly non-Express Entry PNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program, have seen significant increases in processing times. Citizenship applications are also taking longer, while visitor visas show only minor changes. These shifts highlight the importance of consulting the latest IRCC updates before applying and understanding that final wait times can vary based on your specific situation.

Conclusion

Over the past year, IRCC’s processing times have shown notable trends across various immigration and citizenship pathways. Express Entry programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), have maintained stable processing times of 5 months, offering a reliable pathway for applicants. However, other streams like the non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) have seen significant increases, with PNP processing times rising to 20 months and AIP times increasing to 11 months. Citizenship applications have also grown longer, now taking 10 months for grants, while visitor visas remain relatively unchanged with processing times around 19-23 days.

These changes highlight the dynamic nature of Canada’s immigration system, influenced by factors such as application volume, staffing levels, and policy updates. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check IRCC’s official updates and consider these trends when planning their immigration journey. Understanding the factors that influence processing times can help applicants better manage their expectations and make informed decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What factors influence IRCC processing times?

Processing times are influenced by application volume, staffing levels, policy updates, and the complexity of applications. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional checks may take longer.

How can I check the current processing times for my application type?

You can check the latest processing times on the official IRCC website or through their web tool, which provides updated estimates for various immigration and citizenship programs.

Are IRCC processing times guaranteed?

No, processing times are estimates and can vary based on individual circumstances. They are intended to provide a general guideline rather than a guarantee.

Why have Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) processing times increased?

Non-Express Entry PNP processing times have increased significantly, rising from 11 to 20 months. This is likely due to growing backlogs or higher application volumes in this stream.

How long does it currently take to process citizenship applications?

As of May 2025, citizenship grants take 10 months, citizenship certificates take 4 months, and renunciation of citizenship takes 7 months. These times have increased for most citizenship-related applications.

What is the current processing time for visitor visas?

Visitor visa processing times remain relatively unchanged, with applications submitted outside Canada taking 19 days and in-Canada applications taking 23 days.

How has the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) processing time changed?

The AIP processing time has increased from 7 months to 11 months over the past year, suggesting higher demand or processing delays.