IRCC Updated Processing Times for Canada Immigration as of January 8, 2025

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) most recent official processing times for Canadian immigration applications are highlighted in this guide. Depending on the kind of visa or immigration program, these updates are released either weekly or monthly.

A seamless immigration journey depends on you being aware of the current application processing times if you’re thinking about relocating to Canada. These schedules are frequently updated by IRCC to reflect their current workload and operational effectiveness.

To help you efficiently plan your immigration journey, we examine the updated Canada immigration processing timeframes in this post, offering insights into the IRCC’s first update of 2025.

Why It’s Important to Monitor IRCC Processing Times

Knowing the latest processing times is essential for various reasons:

1. Better Planning: Knowing how long it will take to process your application for citizenship, permanent residency, or a temporary visa will help you plan your move, finances, and career.
2. Avoiding Delays: The volume of applications that the IRCC receives can affect processing delays. Staying updated helps you anticipate delays and prepare accordingly.
3. Streamlined Applications: By knowing how long each process may take, you can submit complete and accurate applications, reducing the likelihood of delays caused by missing documents or errors.

How IRCC Determines Processing Times?

The processing times reflect the duration for 80% of applications. Several factors influence these timelines, such as:

• Application Completeness: Missing or incorrect information can slow down the process.
• Complexity of the Case: Applications requiring additional security checks or reviews take longer.
• Volume of Applications: When the number of applicants increases, processing times may extend.
• Program-Specific Requirements: Different immigration programs have unique requirements, which can affect the time taken to process applications.

Updated Citizenship Processing Times

The following are the current timelines for various citizenship-related applications, as of January 8, 2025:

1. Citizenship Grant

• Processing Time: 7 months (no change since December 2024).

2. Citizenship Certificate

• Processing Time: 3 months (unchanged from the last update).

3. Renunciation of Citizenship

• Processing Time: 16 months (remains the same).

4. Search of Citizenship Records

• Processing Time: 7 months (reduced by 4 months compared to the December 2024 update).

This comprehensive overview provides you with the latest information on IRCC processing times, helping you stay informed and plan your immigration journey to Canada with confidence.

Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) Updates

As of January 2025, IRCC is issuing acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) letters for applications received during the week of December 18, 2024.

Processing Times for Permanent Resident (PR) Cards (Updated Weekly)

1. New PR Card

• Processing Time: 22 days (an increase of 2 days from the last update).

2. Renewal of PR Card

• Processing Time: 28 days (shortened by 5 days in the last update).

Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)

1. Spouse/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship (Outside Canada, excluding Quebec)

• Processing Time: 10 months (no changes).

2. Spouse/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship (Outside Canada, Quebec)

• Processing Time: 36 months (unchanged).

3. Spouse/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship (Inside Canada, excluding Quebec)

• Processing Time: 24 months (an increase of 12 months).

4. Spouse/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship (Inside Canada, Quebec)

• Processing Time: 32 months (an increase of 5 months).

5. Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship (Excluding Quebec)

• Processing Time: 24 months (no change).

6. Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship (Quebec)

• Processing Time: 48 months (unchanged).

Economic Immigration Processing Times

The processing times for various economic immigration programs are updated either monthly or weekly. Here are the latest figures:

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Processing Time: 5 months (remains unchanged).

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Processing Time: 6 months (an increase of 1 month).

3. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP – Express Entry)

• Processing Time: 6 months (no change).

4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP – Non-Express Entry)

• Processing Time: 20 months (an increase of 7 months).

5. Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW)

• Processing Time: 9 months (reduced by 2 months).

6. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

• Processing Time: 9 months (an increase of 1 month).

7. Federal Self-Employed Persons

• Processing Time: 48 months (unchanged).

8. Quebec Business Class

• Processing Time: 71 months (no changes).

9. Start-Up Visa

• Processing Time: 39 months (reduced by 1 month).

This updated information provides a clear picture of IRCC’s processing timelines, helping you prepare your applications accordingly. Stay informed to plan your Canadian immigration journey effectively.

Temporary Residency Processing Times (Updated Weekly)

The most recent updates on temporary residency processing times are outlined below to help you plan better:

Visitor Visa (Outside Canada)

1. India: 110 days (an increase of 2 days).
2. United States: 25 days (an increase of 1 day).
3. Nigeria: 164 days (reduced by 5 days).
4. Pakistan: 25 days (shortened by 5 days).
5. Philippines: 22 days (an increase of 1 day).

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada)

1. Online Applications: 50 days (an increase of 4 days).

Super Visa

1. India: 137 days (no change).
2. United States: 116 days (shortened by 18 days).
3. Nigeria: 45 days (reduced by 4 days).
4. Pakistan: 75 days (shortened by 9 days).
5. Philippines: 111 days (reduced by 11 days).

Study Permit (Outside Canada)

1. India: 9 weeks (an increase of 4 weeks).
2. United States: 11 weeks (an increase of 1 week).
3. Nigeria: 8 weeks (an increase of 1 week).
4. Pakistan: 7 weeks (reduced by 1 week).
5. Philippines: 5 weeks (an increase of 1 week).

Study Permit (Inside Canada)

• Processing Time: 7 weeks (shortened by 1 week).

Study Permit Extension

• Processing Time: 130 days (reduced by 15 days).

Work Permit (Outside Canada)

1. India: 18 weeks (no change).
2. United States: 15 weeks (an increase of 1 week).
3. Nigeria: 19 weeks (shortened by 2 weeks).
4. Pakistan: 11 weeks (unchanged).
5. Philippines: 4 weeks (no change).

Work Permit (Inside Canada, Including Extensions)

• Processing Time: 151 days (reduced by 11 days).

Other Temporary Residency Programs

1. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): 8 days.
2. International Experience Canada (IEC): 8 weeks (an increase of 2 weeks).
3. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Immediate (approximately 5 minutes).

Frequently Asked Questions About IRCC Processing Times

1. How long does it take to process a citizenship application?

On average, citizenship grants are processed in about 7 months.

2. What are the current processing times for PR cards?

• New PR Cards: 22 days.
• PR Card Renewals: 28 days.

3. How long does spousal sponsorship take?

• Outside Quebec: Approximately 10 months.
• Inside Quebec: Around 36 months.

4. How often are IRCC processing times updated?

• Monthly Updates: Citizenship, family sponsorship, and economic immigration processing times.
• Weekly Updates: PR card and temporary residency processing times.

For accurate and up-to-date details, always check the official IRCC website.

By staying informed about these timelines, you can organize your plans better and avoid unnecessary delays.

Let 2025 be the year you take the next step toward your Canadian dream!