If you’re planning to study, visit, work, or move to Canada from India, there’s an important update you should know about. On May 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the latest processing time estimates. These timelines show how long it might take to get your visa or permanent residency (PR) right now. While they’re not exact promises, they give a good idea of current delays based on how many applications IRCC is handling.
Why this matters: Whether you’re applying for a study permit, work visa, or PR, knowing the wait time can help you plan better—like when to submit your application or when to expect a decision.
Let’s take a look at the latest wait times in simple terms.
Citizenship Applications
If you’re applying for Canadian citizenship, here’s what you can expect now:
- Grant of Citizenship now takes 10 months, which is 2 months more than before.
- Citizenship Certificate processing is now 4 months, up from 3.
- Renunciation of Citizenship is faster, now 7 months instead of 8.
- Record Search still takes 15 months, no change here.
- Resumption data is not available, so timelines aren’t clear yet.
PR (Permanent Residency) Card Timelines
If you already have PR and need a card or renewal:
- New PR Cards now take 35 days, almost double the earlier 19 days.
- PR Card Renewals stay fast at just 10 days.
IRCC reminds applicants to double-check their applications, as incomplete forms are a major reason for delays.
Economic Class Permanent Residency
This includes programs like Express Entry, PNP, and others:
- Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, and PNP): Processing time is 5 months.
- Provincial Nominee Program (Non-Express Entry): Takes 20 months.
- Quebec Skilled Worker applications: Take around 9 months.
- Federal Self-Employed category: Has gone up to 53 months.
- Start-Up Visa: Now takes 41 months.
As you can see, PR applications can vary widely depending on the stream you apply through.
Visitor Visas and Super Visas
Planning a short visit to Canada? Here’s how long you’ll wait depending on where you apply from:
Visitor Visa Processing Times (Outside Canada)
| Country | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| India | 19 days |
| United States | 18 days |
| Nigeria | 89 days |
| Pakistan | 25 days |
| Philippines | 27 days |
- If you apply inside Canada, visitor visa processing takes 20 days.
- Visitor visa extension takes a lot longer—163 days, up from 140.
- Super Visa timelines vary by location, ranging from 68 to 172 days.
Study Permits
Students from India still have a reliable timeline:
- Study Permits for Indians take 8 weeks, which remains unchanged.
- Other countries: US – 5 weeks, Nigeria – 5 weeks, Pakistan – 9 weeks, Philippines – 11 weeks.
- If you’re already in Canada, study permit processing takes 4 weeks.
- Study permit extensions take longer—up to 223 days.
Work Permits
If you’re applying from India, work permit processing continues to be slow:
- India: 18 weeks
- US: 17 weeks
- Nigeria: 9 weeks
- Pakistan: 8 weeks
- Philippines: 7 weeks
What This Means for You
These timelines are not fixed guarantees, but they reflect current conditions. If IRCC gets fewer applications or improves its speed, processing times can go down. If there are more delays or more people apply, the wait could get longer.
Be sure to submit a complete application, with all required documents and information, to avoid delays. Missing paperwork is still one of the top reasons for slower processing.
1. Are these timelines final or can they change?
No, these are only estimates based on how many applications IRCC has right now. They can change anytime.
2. Why is my friend’s visa processed faster or slower than mine?
Processing times vary by country, type of visa, and how complete your application is. Some applications need background checks or extra documents.
3. How can I track my visa status?
You can log in to your IRCC account online and check your application progress directly.
4. Can I speed up my application process?
There’s no official way to speed it up, but submitting a complete and accurate application from the beginning helps a lot.
5. Why is the work permit from India taking 18 weeks?
IRCC receives a high number of work permit applications from India. Combined with case-by-case checks, this slows things down.
6. Is there a best time to apply to avoid delays?
There’s no perfect time, but applying early—especially for study or work—is always a good idea, ideally 3–6 months before your planned travel.
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.