IRCC releases latest processing time update with notable shifts across key immigration categories
IRCC released its newest processing time update on November 12, 2025, showing contrasting trends across immigration categories
The latest processing time update from IRCC includes new data across permanent residence, citizenship, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, and PR cards. IRCC notes that its updated tool reflects actual processing durations rather than legacy targets, providing applicants with a clearer picture of expected wait times.
1. Citizenship Applications: Longer waits for certificates and renunciation cases
- Citizenship Grant: 13 months (≈290,700 people waiting), no change
- Citizenship Certificate: 9 months (+1 month)
- Renunciation of Citizenship: 22 months (+12 months)
- IRCC is currently issuing AORs for applications submitted around July 28, 2025
2. Permanent Resident Cards: Minor improvements for renewals
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change Since Oct 29 |
|---|---|---|
| New PR Card | 61 days | -2 days |
| PR Card Renewal | 29 days | -1 day |
3. Family Sponsorship: Parents and grandparents see major increases
Family sponsorship continues to be one of the longest-processing categories in the entire IRCC system. Quebec applications remain significantly slower due to mandatory provincial approval.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times (as of November 6, 2025)
| Sponsorship Category | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner (Outside Canada, non-Quebec) | ~45,200 (-700) | 14 months | -1 month |
| Spouse/Partner (Outside Canada, Quebec) | ~20,100 (-200) | 37 months | -2 months |
| Spouse/Partner (Inside Canada, non-Quebec) | ~49,900 (+400) | 20 months | -2 months |
| Spouse/Partner (Inside Canada, Quebec) | ~12,200 (+100) | 37 months | -2 months |
| Parents/Grandparents (non-Quebec) | ~47,100 (+5,600) | 42 months | +16 months |
| Parents/Grandparents (Quebec) | ~12,900 (+1,100) | 50 months | +6 months |
The most significant increases were seen in the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), with non-Quebec applications rising to 42 months and Quebec applications reaching 50 months.
4. Economic Immigration: Express Entry stable, but business programs remain severely backlogged
Economic immigration streams show a split trend:
- Express Entry (FSWP, PNP-EE) remains stable
- CEC increased slightly
- Business immigration (SUV, Self-Employed) continues to face waits of a decade or more
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) remains one of the slowest PR pathways
Economic Class Processing Times (as of November 6, 2025)
| Program | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | ~19,800 (+1,900) | 7 months | +1 month |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | ~24,500 (+700) | 6 months | No change |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | Not available | Not enough data | No change |
| PNP (Express Entry) | ~10,700 (-800) | 6 months | -1 month |
| PNP (non-Express Entry) | ~96,000 (+1,300) | 16 months | No change |
| Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) | ~26,400 (+1,600) | 11 months | No change |
| Quebec Business Class | ~4,100 | 84 months (7 years) | No change |
| Federal Self-Employed | ~8,500 (-100) | More than 10 years | No change |
| Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | ~13,300 (+200) | 37 months | No change |
| Start-Up Visa (SUV) | ~43,800 (+600) | More than 10 years | No change |
SUV and federal self-employed remain the slowest immigration pathways in Canada’s entire system.
5. Study Permit Processing: Many countries see faster times
| Country | Processing Time | Change Since Oct 29 |
|---|---|---|
| India | 4 weeks | -1 week |
| United States | 4 weeks | -1 week |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | No change |
| Pakistan | 7 weeks | -3 weeks |
| Philippines | 4 weeks | -1 week |
6. Work Permit Processing: Modest improvements in some regions
| Country | Processing Time | Change Since Oct 29 |
|---|---|---|
| India | 10 weeks | No change |
| United States | 4 weeks | No change |
| Nigeria | 9 weeks | -1 week |
| Pakistan | 6 weeks | -2 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | No change |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How often does IRCC update processing times?
- PR and citizenship categories: monthly
- Temporary residence (work permits, study permits, visitor visas, PR cards): weekly
2. Are processing times guaranteed?
No. They are estimates only. Actual processing depends on background checks, program demand, document review, and the visa office’s workload.
3. Why is family sponsorship slower in Quebec?
Because Quebec requires an additional provincial approval stage, making the process longer and more complex.
IRCC releases latest processing time update with notable shifts across key immigration categories
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time update on November 12, 2025, covering citizenship applications, permanent resident (PR) cards, family sponsorship programs, economic immigration categories, study permits, and work permits. The update reflects real-world timelines for 80% of applications and is refreshed weekly or monthly depending on the category. The latest data shows significant increases in processing times for parents and grandparents under family sponsorship, while Express Entry streams remain stable. Business immigration and several Quebec programs continue to face multi-year backlogs. IRCC emphasizes that processing times are estimates only and can vary depending on an applicant’s location, background checks, case complexity, and IRCC’s operational capacity.
11/17/2025
Canada issues new round of Express Entry invitations for Healthcare and Social Services occupations
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11/15/2025
Canada Issues 1,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
On November 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of Express Entry invitations, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 533, and candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 3:39 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on October 17, 2025. To date, IRCC has issued more than 82,000 ITAs in 2025, with CEC, French-language category, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws remaining key priorities.
11/14/2025
Canada to Simplify Graduate Study Permit Process in 2026, Removing Provincial Attestation Requirement
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, effective January 1, 2026, international master’s and doctoral students will no longer need to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit. The policy aims to simplify the application process, maintain the two-week fast-track for doctoral students, and remove all limits on the number of eligible applicants. Qualified students may also include their family members in their applications. The change is expected to further strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in higher education and research.
11/13/2025
IRCC holds largest Express Entry PNP-targeted draw in nearly six months
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11/12/2025
Manitoba Holds First November Draw, Focusing on Strategic Recruitment Initiative Candidates
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11/11/2025
Northwest Territories Nominee Program adds a third intake window; eligibility changes in effect through year-end
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11/10/2025
Quebec Announces Closure of Experience Program, Tightening Pathways to Permanent Residence
On November 6, 2025, the Quebec government announced that it will permanently close one of its most popular pathways to permanent residence—the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise, PEQ)—which includes the Quebec Graduates Stream and the Temporary Foreign Workers Stream. Both streams will officially end on November 19, 2025. At the same time, three permanent immigration pilot programs will also conclude as scheduled on January 1, 2026. This means that, going forward, foreign workers and graduates seeking to obtain permanent residence in Quebec will only be able to apply through the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).
11/08/2025
Canada to Increase Provincial Nominee Program Admissions by 66% in 2026, Strengthening Local Talent Attraction
According to Canada’s newly released 2026 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government has set the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) permanent resident target at 91,500, a 66% increase from last year’s 55,000. This marks a shift toward expanding provincial immigration pathways, giving temporary residents and international graduates greater access to permanent residence (PR). Several provinces have already negotiated higher nomination allocations with the federal government to help address ongoing labor shortages.
11/07/2025
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 Q&A: Understanding the Impact, Priorities, and Opportunities
On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially released the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, maintaining annual permanent resident targets at 380,000 for the next three years while gradually reducing the number of temporary residents—including international students and foreign workers. The plan aims to balance population growth with Canada’s housing, healthcare, and infrastructure capacity, while increasing the share of economic and francophone immigrants. This Q&A explains the plan’s key points, policy direction, and what it means for prospective applicants.
11/06/2025
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