Canada updates temporary residence wait estimates, i.e., on August 19, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its latest estimates for temporary residence applications. The update showed changes in several categories compared with the figures released on August 12.
The biggest changes were seen in work permit applications from Pakistan and visitor visa applications from Pakistan. Pakistan-based work permit applicants saw a five-week reduction, while visitor visa applicants saw their estimated wait increase by two weeks.
U.S. super visa applicants also saw a noticeable increase in the estimated wait, while some other categories remained unchanged.
The figures below compare the latest estimates with those released on August 12. IRCC is expected to update these estimates again around August 26, 2026.
Work Permits
Work permit applicants from Pakistan saw the biggest improvement in the latest update. The estimated wait dropped from 12 weeks to seven weeks.
The estimate for applicants in Canada also improved slightly. Other countries, including India, Nigeria, the United States, and the Philippines, saw no change.
| Applying From: | Current (August 19) | Previous (August 12) |
| Canada | 117 days | 119 days |
| India | 9 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Pakistan | 7 weeks | 12 weeks |
| Nigeria | 9 weeks | 9 weeks |
| United States | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120 days.
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days.
Study Permits
Study permit estimates remained unchanged for most countries in the latest update.
Nigeria was the only country in the table to record a change, with its estimate increasing by one week.
| Applying From: | Current (August 19) | Previous (August 12) |
| Canada | 7 weeks | 7 weeks |
| India | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Pakistan | 7 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Nigeria | 9 weeks | 8 weeks |
| United States | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Philippines | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120 days.
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days.
Visitor Visa
Visitor visa estimates moved in different directions depending on where the application was submitted.
Applicants in Canada saw their estimate fall from 15 days to 12 days. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines saw increases, while the United States remained unchanged.
Pakistan recorded the largest increase, with its estimate rising from 61 days to 75 days.
| Applying From: | Current (August 19) | Previous (August 12) |
| Canada | 12 days | 15 days |
| India | 31 days | 30 days |
| Pakistan | 75 days | 61 days |
| Nigeria | 76 days | 72 days |
| United States | 21 days | 21 days |
| Philippines | 21 days | 18 days |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions: N/A.
- Outside Canada submissions: 14 days.
Super Visa
Super visa estimates also changed in the latest update. Applicants in the United States saw the largest increase, from 123 days to 138 days.
Nigeria and the Philippines also saw small increases. Pakistan recorded a slight improvement, while the estimate for India remained unchanged.
| Applying From: | Current (August 19) | Previous (August 12) |
| India | 56 days | 56 days |
| Pakistan | 176 days | 180 days |
| Nigeria | 53 days | 52 days |
| United States | 138 days | 123 days |
| Philippines | 107 days | 105 days |
Service standard: 112 days.
Understanding IRCC Estimates And Service Standards
IRCC estimates are meant to give applicants a general idea of how long an application may take. They are not a fixed deadline or a guarantee.
The department uses past application data and current application numbers to prepare these estimates. The number of applications, available resources, application type, and additional document or security checks can affect the wait time.
Service standards, on the other hand, are targets that show how quickly IRCC aims to finalize applications under normal conditions.
Individual applications may take more or less time than the published estimate. Temporary residence estimates are updated weekly, while permanent residence and citizenship estimates are generally updated monthly.
IRCC finalized 1,566,455 temporary residence applications during the first six months of 2026. More than 401,000 applications were still waiting for a final decision at the end of June.
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