These are typical ranges for planning context, not a live read of any government queue. Your own case can run faster or slower depending on your file, your visa office, and current volume. For your exact, current time, use the official tracker linked for each country below.
How long does Canada immigration take?
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class takes about 4-7 months, Study Permit (initial) takes about 5-16 weeks, and Spousal Sponsorship (Inland) takes about 10-14 months. The full list below is typical for each program, based on official sources reviewed April 2025.
Check your exact time on the IRCC processing-times toolCanada processing times
Typical ranges, not a live government feed. Verify your own case directly with the source.
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker
5-8 months
After ITA; 80% processed within 6 months. Delays possible if additional docs requested.
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class
4-7 months
Typically faster than FSW due to in-Canada work history verification.
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades
5-9 months
Requires valid job offer or certificate of qualification from province.
Express Entry — Provincial Nominee Program
6-11 months
After PNP nomination + ITA. Provincial processing adds 1-6 months before IRCC stage.
Provincial Nominee Program (non-Express Entry)
15-23 months
Paper-based PNP applications processed outside Express Entry take significantly longer.
Study Permit (initial)
5-16 weeks
Processing varies widely by country of residence. India: 7-12 weeks. SDS stream: ~20 days.
Study Permit Extension
8-18 weeks
Apply at least 30 days before current permit expires. Implied status while waiting.
Work Permit (LMIA-based)
6-18 weeks
LMIA processing itself takes 2-5 months. Total employer + worker timeline: 4-8 months.
Work Permit (LMIA-exempt)
4-12 weeks
Includes IEC, intra-company transfers, CUSMA/NAFTA professionals.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
6-16 weeks
Apply within 180 days of confirmation of completion from DLI. Implied status while pending.
Open Work Permit (Spousal)
8-20 weeks
Available to spouses/common-law partners of certain work/study permit holders.
Spousal Sponsorship (Inland)
10-14 months
Includes OWP with application. Applicant can remain in Canada during processing.
Spousal Sponsorship (Outland)
10-16 months
Applicant remains outside Canada. Generally similar timeline to inland.
Parents & Grandparents Program
20-36 months
Intake capped annually. Super Visa is a faster alternative for visits.
Canadian Citizenship
10-18 months
Requires 1095 days of physical presence in Canada within 5-year period before application.
Visitor Visa (TRV)
2-12 weeks
Highly variable by country. Many nationalities are visa-exempt and only need eTA.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
1-3 days
Usually approved within minutes. Linked to passport.
Atlantic Immigration Program
12-18 months
Employer-driven. Covers NB, NS, PEI, NL. Endorsement from province required before IRCC application.
Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
12-18 months
Community-driven pilot for smaller communities. Community recommendation required before IRCC stage.
Start-Up Visa
12-36 months
Highly variable. Requires letter of support from designated organization. Work permit available while waiting.
Caregiver Programs
12-18 months
Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker streams. PR pathway after qualifying work experience.
Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents)
3-8 weeks
Multi-entry visa valid up to 10 years. Allows stays up to 5 years per visit. Requires medical insurance.
Refugee Claim (In-Canada)
18-24 months
IRB hearing timelines vary. Referred claims from CBSA/IRCC. Eligible for work permit while waiting.
| Application type | Processing time | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker | 5-8 months | Slow | After ITA; 80% processed within 6 months. Delays possible if additional docs requested. |
| Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class | 4-7 months | Slow | Typically faster than FSW due to in-Canada work history verification. |
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades | 5-9 months | Slow | Requires valid job offer or certificate of qualification from province. |
| Express Entry — Provincial Nominee Program | 6-11 months | Slow | After PNP nomination + ITA. Provincial processing adds 1-6 months before IRCC stage. |
| Provincial Nominee Program (non-Express Entry) | 15-23 months | Slow | Paper-based PNP applications processed outside Express Entry take significantly longer. |
| Study Permit (initial) | 5-16 weeks | Moderate | Processing varies widely by country of residence. India: 7-12 weeks. SDS stream: ~20 days. |
| Study Permit Extension | 8-18 weeks | Moderate | Apply at least 30 days before current permit expires. Implied status while waiting. |
| Work Permit (LMIA-based) | 6-18 weeks | Moderate | LMIA processing itself takes 2-5 months. Total employer + worker timeline: 4-8 months. |
| Work Permit (LMIA-exempt) | 4-12 weeks | Moderate | Includes IEC, intra-company transfers, CUSMA/NAFTA professionals. |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit | 6-16 weeks | Moderate | Apply within 180 days of confirmation of completion from DLI. Implied status while pending. |
| Open Work Permit (Spousal) | 8-20 weeks | Moderate | Available to spouses/common-law partners of certain work/study permit holders. |
| Spousal Sponsorship (Inland) | 10-14 months | Slow | Includes OWP with application. Applicant can remain in Canada during processing. |
| Spousal Sponsorship (Outland) | 10-16 months | Slow | Applicant remains outside Canada. Generally similar timeline to inland. |
| Parents & Grandparents Program | 20-36 months | Slow | Intake capped annually. Super Visa is a faster alternative for visits. |
| Canadian Citizenship | 10-18 months | Slow | Requires 1095 days of physical presence in Canada within 5-year period before application. |
| Visitor Visa (TRV) | 2-12 weeks | Moderate | Highly variable by country. Many nationalities are visa-exempt and only need eTA. |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | 1-3 days | Fast | Usually approved within minutes. Linked to passport. |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 12-18 months | Slow | Employer-driven. Covers NB, NS, PEI, NL. Endorsement from province required before IRCC application. |
| Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot | 12-18 months | Slow | Community-driven pilot for smaller communities. Community recommendation required before IRCC stage. |
| Start-Up Visa | 12-36 months | Slow | Highly variable. Requires letter of support from designated organization. Work permit available while waiting. |
| Caregiver Programs | 12-18 months | Slow | Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker streams. PR pathway after qualifying work experience. |
| Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents) | 3-8 weeks | Fast | Multi-entry visa valid up to 10 years. Allows stays up to 5 years per visit. Requires medical insurance. |
| Refugee Claim (In-Canada) | 18-24 months | Slow | IRB hearing timelines vary. Referred claims from CBSA/IRCC. Eligible for work permit while waiting. |
What affects processing time?
Application completeness
Missing documents or errors can add weeks or months. Double-check every requirement before submitting.
Volume of applications
Processing slows during high-volume periods. Seasonal patterns and policy changes drive surges.
Security and background checks
Additional screening for certain nationalities or travel histories can extend timelines significantly.
Visa office location
Processing times vary by office. Some handle more applications with fewer staff, causing delays.
Frequently asked questions
How long does immigration processing take?
It depends on the country and the exact program. Fast routes like electronic travel authorizations or premium-processed work visas can take days, while family sponsorship and permanent residence often take 6 to 24 months. The ranges on this page are typical estimates; your own case can run faster or slower.
Why is my application taking longer than the published time?
Published ranges are averages. Incomplete documents, requests for more information, security or background checks, medical exams, and high application volumes all extend timelines. The visa office handling your file also matters, as some are far busier than others.
How do I check my exact, current processing time?
Use the official government tool for your destination and application type (linked for each country below), and check the status inside your own online account once you have applied. Those are the only sources for your specific, up-to-the-day timeline.
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