Key Takeaways
- IRCC’s September 22, 2026 processing-time estimates cover work permits, study permits, visitor visas and super visas.
- Work permit processing is listed at 16 weeks for applications from inside Canada and 10 weeks for applicants from India.
- IRCC says processing times are estimates rather than guaranteed deadlines and can change depending on application and operational factors.
Work Permit Processing Times
IRCC’s latest estimates show different processing times depending on where the work permit application is submitted.
For applications made from inside Canada, the current estimated processing time is 16 weeks. IRCC is reporting this in weeks in its latest update.
For applicants outside Canada, the estimated processing times include:
| Applying from | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| India | 10 weeks |
| Pakistan | 8 weeks |
| Nigeria | 10 weeks |
| United States | 4 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks |
IRCC lists service standards of 120 days for initial work permit applications and extensions submitted from inside Canada and 60 days for applications submitted from outside Canada.
These service standards are different from the estimated processing times shown through IRCC’s online tool.
Study Permit Processing Times
Study permit processing times also vary according to the applicant’s location.
The current estimates listed by IRCC for the featured countries are:
| Applying from | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| Canada | 8 weeks |
| India | 5 weeks |
| Pakistan | 7 weeks |
| Nigeria | 10 weeks |
| United States | 6 weeks |
| Philippines | 5 weeks |
For study permit applications, IRCC lists service standards of 120 days for initial applications and extensions submitted from inside Canada and 60 days for applications submitted from outside Canada.
Applicants should use the current IRCC processing-time tool because estimates can change as application volumes and processing capacity change.
Visitor Visa Processing Times
Visitor visa processing times also differ by the country from which an application is submitted.
IRCC’s September 22 estimates include:
| Applying from | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| Canada | 11 days |
| India | 32 days |
| Pakistan | 78 days |
| Nigeria | 93 days |
| United States | 17 days |
| Philippines | 21 days |
For visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada, IRCC lists a 14-day service standard. There is no in-Canada service standard listed for this category.
A visitor visa, also known as a temporary resident visa, is an official document that allows eligible travellers to meet the requirements for travelling to Canada. IRCC notes that processing times can vary depending on the application and other circumstances.
Super Visa Processing Times
IRCC also publishes processing estimates for super visa applications.
The September 22 figures include:
| Applying from | Current processing time |
|---|---|
| India | 70 days |
| Pakistan | 92 days |
| Nigeria | 44 days |
| United States | 66 days |
| Philippines | 90 days |
IRCC lists a 112-day service standard for super visa applications. Super visa applications can only be submitted from outside Canada.
Why IRCC Processing Times Can Change
IRCC explains that processing times can vary based on several factors. These include the type of application, whether the application is complete, how quickly the department expects to process applications already in its inventory, and how easily the information provided by an applicant can be verified.
The department may also need additional information or documents before making a decision. Complex applications can therefore take longer than the estimated time displayed by the processing-time tool.
For temporary residence applications, IRCC updates its forward-looking processing estimates each week. The department says these projections can change because of application volumes, processing capacity, operational priorities and other unforeseen circumstances.
Processing Time Is Not a Guarantee
Applicants should not treat the processing time shown by IRCC as a guaranteed decision date.
IRCC explains that the estimate is intended to provide an indication of how long processing may take. An application can take less or more time depending on its circumstances.
Processing generally begins after IRCC receives a complete application and ends when a decision is made. The department may contact applicants if additional information or documents are required.
Applicants outside Canada and the United States may also need to account for additional mailing time when submitting applications through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.
Where Applicants Can Check the Latest Timeline
Applicants should check IRCC’s official processing-time tool for the latest estimate before making travel, study or work plans.
The processing-time page allows users to select their application type and relevant location to view the current estimate.
Because IRCC updates temporary residence estimates regularly, figures can change after an application has been submitted. The latest estimate should therefore be treated as a general indication rather than a fixed processing deadline.
What the Latest Update Means for Applicants
The latest IRCC data shows that temporary residence processing times remain different across application categories and countries.
For work permits, the current estimate ranges from 6 weeks for applicants in the Philippines to 16 weeks for applications made from inside Canada among the locations highlighted above.
For study permits, the estimates range from 5 weeks for applicants in India and the Philippines to 10 weeks for applicants in Nigeria.
Visitor visa estimates range from 11 days for applications from Canada to 93 days for applications from Nigeria among the featured locations.
Super visa estimates range from 44 days for applicants in Nigeria to 92 days for applicants in Pakistan among the countries listed.
Applicants should rely on the official IRCC processing-time tool for the latest figures and remember that actual processing can vary from the published estimate.