IRCC updates processing times for visas and permits, i.e., Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published the latest estimates for application processing times. These updates cover temporary residence applications, permanent residence programs, and citizenship applications.
The new update shows several important changes across different categories. Some applications are now being processed faster, while others have seen slight increases in wait times.
One of the most noticeable improvements is for applicants from India. Processing times for visitor visas and work permits have become faster for Indian nationals. At the same time, applications for dependent child sponsorship from India have seen a major improvement, with wait times dropping by several months.
However, there have also been some increases in processing times. For example, inland spousal sponsorship applications within Quebec now take one additional month compared to the previous estimate.
Processing times for Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) sponsorship have slightly improved. Applications both inside and outside Quebec are now estimated to take one month less than before.
Visitor visa applications also show improvements across several countries, including India and the United States. Meanwhile, work permit applications from Nigeria now take slightly longer than before.
This article explains the latest updates for temporary residence applications, permanent residence programs, and citizenship processing times.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Temporary Residence Applications
Processing times for temporary residence applications were compared with the previous update released on February 26. The current processing estimates reflect information available as of March 11, 2026. Some application types were updated on March 9.
Temporary residence applications include work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and super visas.
Work Permit Processing Times
Processing times for work permit applications have remained mostly stable since the previous update.
However, there have been some changes depending on the country where the application was submitted.
Applicants from India experienced a moderate improvement. Work permit processing times dropped by one week.
Applications from Nigeria saw the opposite trend. Processing times increased by two weeks compared to the previous update.
Moreover, applications submitted from the United States also improved slightly. Processing times dropped by one week.
Work permit applications submitted from inside Canada experienced a small increase of three days in processing time.
The following table shows the most recent processing times for work permit applications:
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 26) | Current (Mar. 11) |
| Inside Canada | 256 days | 259 days |
| India | 8 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Pakistan | 30 weeks | 30 weeks |
| Nigeria | 11 weeks | 13 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks | 9 weeks |
| The Philippines | N/A | 7 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120-days
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days
- International Experience Canada permit submissions: 56 days
Study Permit Processing Times
Processing times for study permits have remained mostly unchanged since the previous update.
For most countries, the estimated wait times stayed the same.
The only noticeable change occurred for applications submitted from the United States. Processing times for American applicants dropped by one week.
The following table shows the latest processing estimates for study permit applications:
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 26) | Current (Mar. 11) |
| Canada | 9 weeks | 9 weeks |
| India | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Pakistan | 15 weeks | 15 weeks |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| United States | 6 weeks | 5 weeks |
| The Philippines | N/A | 5 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120 days
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days
Visitor Visa Processing Times
Visitor visa processing times have improved across several countries. Most applicants are now seeing shorter wait times than before.
Indian applicants experienced the largest improvement. Processing times for visitor visas dropped by two full weeks.
Applicants from the United States also saw faster processing, with wait times falling by six days.
Processing times also improved slightly for applicants from Pakistan and Nigeria.
The latest processing estimates are shown in the table below:
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 26) | Current (Mar. 11) |
| Inside Canada | 19 days | 18 days |
| India | 71 days | 57 days |
| Pakistan | 53 days | 49 days |
| Nigeria | 56 days | 53 days |
| United States | 23 days | 17 days |
| The Philippines | N/A | 14 days |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions: N/A
- Outside Canada submissions: 14 days
Super Visa Processing Times
Super visa processing times have also improved slightly since the last update.
Applicants from Nigeria saw their wait time decrease by three days.
Applicants from Pakistan experienced a four-day reduction in wait time. Indian applicants saw a smaller improvement of two days.
However, applications from the United States increased slightly by two days.
The following table shows the most recent processing estimates:
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 26) | Current (Mar. 11) |
| India | 210 days | 208 days |
| Pakistan | 136 days | 132 days |
| Nigeria | 47 days | 44 days |
| United States | 205 days | 207 days |
| The Philippines | N/A | 85 days |
Service standard: 112 days
Note: Super visa applications cannot be submitted from within Canada.
Permanent Residence Applications
Processing times for most permanent residence programs remained stable since the last IRCC update.
However, some changes were recorded in family sponsorship programs.
Express Entry Processing Times
Processing times for all Express Entry programs remained unchanged.
These programs include the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
The estimated processing times are shown below:
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 7 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 7 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)* | N/A | N/A |
*IRCC does not release processing time estimates for the FSTP due to limited available data.
All Express Entry programs have a service standard of six months.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Processing times for Provincial Nominee Program applications have not changed since the previous update.
Both enhanced streams and base streams continue to have the same processing estimates.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Through Express Entry (enhanced) | 7 months | 7 months |
| Non-Express Entry (base) | 13 months | 13 months |
Service standards for enhanced PNP applications remain six months. Base stream applications have a service standard of 11 months.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Processing times for Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) also remain unchanged.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) | 11 months | 11 months |
The service standard for PSTQ applications is six months.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Processing times for the Atlantic Immigration Program remain the same as the previous update.
However, current wait times remain significantly higher than the official service standard.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 33 months | 33 months |
Although the official service standard for this program is 11 months, the current processing time is still much longer.
Family Sponsorship Applications
Some of the most noticeable changes occurred in the family sponsorship category.
Inland spousal sponsorship applications within Quebec increased by one month.
At the same time, processing times for the Parent and Grandparent Program improved slightly.
Applications inside and outside Quebec now take one month less than before.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Spouse/partner inside Canada (outside Quebec) | 21 months | 21 months |
| Spouse/partner inside Canada (Quebec) | 35 months | 36 months |
| Spouse/partner outside Canada (outside Quebec) | 15 months | 15 months |
| Spouse/partner outside Canada (Quebec) | 35 months | 35 months |
| Parents & Grandparents (outside Quebec) | 35 months | 34 months |
| Parents & Grandparents (Quebec) | 47 months | 46 months |
The service standard for sponsorship applications involving spouses or common-law partners outside Quebec remains 12 months.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Dependent child sponsorship applications saw one of the largest changes in this update.
Applications submitted from within Canada increased slightly by one month.
However, applications submitted from India saw a major improvement. Processing times dropped from 16 months to just 8 months.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Within Canada | 19 months | 20 months |
| Outside Canada (India) | 16 months | 8 months |
| Outside Canada (Nigeria) | 19 months | 19 months |
| Outside Canada (Philippines) | Not reported | 12 months |
IRCC does not publish official service standards for dependent child sponsorship applications.
Citizenship Applications
Processing times for citizenship applications have improved slightly.
Both citizenship grants and citizenship certificates are now estimated to take one month less than before.
| Application Type | Previous (Feb. 17) | Current (Mar. 9) |
| Citizenship grant | 14 months | 13 months |
| Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) | 11 months | 10 months |
The official service standard for citizenship grant applications remains 12 months.
Understanding Processing Times And Service Standards
Processing times and service standards are often misunderstood, but they refer to two different concepts.
Processing times show how long applicants may need to wait for a decision if the application is submitted on a specific date.
For online applications, processing begins immediately after submission. For paper applications, the process starts once the application arrives at the processing centre.
Processing times are calculated in two main ways.
Historical processing times are based on how long it took IRCC to process 80 percent of similar applications in the past.
Forward-looking processing times are estimates that consider the current number of pending applications and how quickly decisions are expected to be made.
Service standards, on the other hand, represent the target time that IRCC aims to meet for processing applications.
These standards reflect how long the department expects to complete 80 percent of applications under normal conditions.
The remaining 20 percent of applications may take longer because they involve additional checks, missing documents, or more complex situations.
Understanding the difference between these two measures can help applicants better interpret IRCC updates and plan their immigration journey accordingly.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
