IRCC Releases Updated Processing Times for May 2025: Key Changes Across PR, Visas, and Work Permits

As of May 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing times across various immigration categories. These updates reflect ongoing efforts to manage application backlogs and improve service delivery.

Permanent Residency (PR) Processing Times

Economic Class Applications:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months (unchanged)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months (reduced by 1 month)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 7 months (increased by 1 month)
• Non-Express Entry PNP: 21 months (unchanged)
• Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months (unchanged)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 10 months (increased by 1 month)
• Start-Up Visa: 40 months (unchanged)

Family Sponsorship:

• Spouse/Common-Law Partner (Outside Canada): 11 months (increased by 1 month)
• Spouse/Common-Law Partner (Inside Canada, Non-Quebec): 24 months (reduced by 4 months)
• Spouse/Common-Law Partner (Inside Canada, Quebec): 35 months (increased by 1 month)
• Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship (Outside Quebec): 24 months
• Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship (Quebec): 48 months

Temporary Resident Visas

Visitor Visas (Outside Canada):

• India: 28 days (reduced by 33 days)
• United States: 16 days (reduced by 3 days)
• Nigeria: 118 days (reduced by 9 days)
• Pakistan: 19 days (increased by 2 days)
• Philippines: 15 days (unchanged)

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada): 14 days (reduced by 1 day)

Visitor Extension: 130 days (increased by 5 days)

Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents):

• India: 124 days (reduced by 11 days)
• United States: 202 days (increased by 37 days)
• Nigeria: 46 days (increased by 11 days)
• Pakistan: 122 days (increased by 6 days)
• Philippines: 117 days (increased by 2 days)

Study Permits

Study Permit (Outside Canada):

• India: 14 weeks (unchanged)
• United States: 6 weeks (reduced by 1 week)
• Nigeria: 6 weeks (unchanged)v
• Pakistan: 8 weeks (unchanged)
• Philippines: 5 weeks (unchanged)

Study Permit (Inside Canada): 3 weeks (unchanged)

Study Permit Extension: 112 days (unchanged)

Work Permits

Work Permit (Outside Canada):

• India: 20 weeks (unchanged)
• United States: 81 weeks (increased by 66 weeks)
• Nigeria: 16 weeks (increased by 1 week)
• Pakistan: 8 weeks (unchanged)
• Philippines: 5 weeks (reduced by 1 week)

Work Permit (Inside Canada – Initial and Extension): 114 days (reduced by 3 days)

International Experience Canada (IEC): 2 weeks (increased by 1 week)

Citizenship and PR Cards

• Citizenship Grant: 9 months (increased by 1 month)
• Citizenship Certificate: 4 months (increased by 1 month)
• Renunciation of Citizenship: 10 months (reduced by 2 months)
• Search of Citizenship Records: 16 months (unchanged)
• New PR Card: 16 days (reduced by 8 days)
• PR Card Renewal: 14 days (reduced by 1 day)

Processing Delays and Backlogs

Significant delays persist in certain areas. For instance, the processing time for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) has nearly tripled, from 58 business days in September 2023 to 165 business days by March 2025. These delays have led to situations where migrants, awaiting LMIA approvals, lose their legal work status, affecting their ability to work and access essential services like healthcare. The Canadian government has acknowledged these challenges and aims to improve processing times over the next six months.

Recent Improvements

• IEC Applicants: Participants already in Canada can now receive new work permits by mail, eliminating the need to leave and re-enter the country.
• Processing Time Calculations: IRCC has introduced a new method for calculating processing times, providing forward-looking estimates to help applicants better predict application timelines.

For the most current and detailed information, applicants are encouraged to regularly check the official IRCC website or consult with authorized immigration professionals.