IRCC Updates Processing Times for Temporary Visas
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated processing time estimates for several categories of temporary resident applications, including work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and super visas. The new figures reflect the most recent data available as of February 24, 2026.
The latest update shows significant variations across countries, particularly for applications submitted from Pakistan and Nigeria. These changes follow IRCC’s previous update on February 17, illustrating weekly shifts in the department’s processing performance.
- Study permit processing times for applicants in Pakistan doubled, increasing from seven to fifteen weeks.
- Study permit wait times for U.S. applicants declined by one week.
- Work permit processing from Nigeria rose by two weeks, while most other regions remained stable.
- Visitor visa processing showed moderate improvements for several countries, including India and Pakistan.
- Super visa wait times for applicants in Pakistan improved by approximately 12 days.
Overview of Updated Processing Times
IRCC’s processing time tracker provides an estimate of how long it currently takes to finalize new applications. These figures are based on historical data showing the duration required to complete 80% of cases in the past, adjusted weekly to reflect operational realities.
The department applies these estimates to temporary residence categories such as work, study, and visitor visas. Timelines are influenced by factors including case complexity, document completeness, and responsiveness to IRCC’s requests for additional information.
Work Permit Applications
Work permit processing times remained largely steady, except for increases in applications filed from within Canada and from Nigeria. The average wait time for in-Canada submissions rose to 256 days, up from 246 days the previous week. Nigerian applicants now face an average wait of 11 weeks compared to nine weeks earlier.
Processing times for India, Pakistan, and the United States were unchanged at 8, 30, and 10 weeks respectively. The official service standards for work permits are 120 days for in-Canada submissions and 60 days for applications processed abroad.
Study Permit Applications
IRCC’s latest update highlighted a sharp rise in study permit wait times for Pakistan, where processing now averages 15 weeks, up from seven the week prior. In contrast, applications filed from the United States now take approximately six weeks, one week less than before.
Processing times for India and Nigeria remained consistent at four and eight weeks respectively. Within Canada, study permit submissions are currently finalized in about nine weeks, slightly higher than the eight-week average reported earlier. The service standard for study permits remains 120 days for in-Canada applications and 60 days for those submitted abroad.
Visitor Visa Applications
Visitor visa processing saw modest improvements across most regions. Applicants within Canada now face a 19-day wait, down from 21 days previously. India’s average processing time decreased to 71 days from 78 days, and Pakistan’s fell to 53 days from 58 days. The United States also recorded a minor improvement, with current processing at 23 days compared to 25 days last update.
The only increase occurred for Nigeria, where processing rose slightly from 51 to 56 days. IRCC’s service standard for visitor visas submitted outside Canada remains 14 days, though actual times often vary depending on application volume and completeness.
Super Visa Applications
Super visas, which allow parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit for extended periods, showed mixed results. The most notable improvement was for Pakistan-based applicants, whose processing times dropped from 148 days to 136 days. India also saw a minor reduction from 213 to 210 days, while Nigeria’s average increased marginally to 47 days. The United States remained steady at 205 days. IRCC’s service benchmark for super visas is 112 days, and these applications cannot be submitted from within Canada.
IRCC Processing Standards and Metrics
IRCC distinguishes between two measures of processing time: historical and forward-looking. Historical data reflects how long it took to finalize most applications recently, while forward-looking models consider current inventory levels and expected completion rates. Temporary residence categories, including work, study, and visitor permits, are typically measured using historical data.
Service standards represent IRCC’s operational targets. They are designed to process 80% of applications for a given category within a defined timeframe, acknowledging that the remaining 20% may take longer due to case-specific circumstances. Not all program types have formal service benchmarks.
Public Context and Relevance
Processing time fluctuations are closely monitored by international students, temporary workers, and families seeking to visit or reunite in Canada. These weekly updates provide an indicator of how efficiently IRCC is finalizing cases amid varying global demand. Shifts in processing velocity can influence application planning, travel scheduling, and institutional coordination across the provinces, including Manitoba’s provincial programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
The most recent data underscores notable performance variations between visa categories and source countries. While study and work permit timelines for certain regions have lengthened, visitor and super visa results show modest improvement. IRCC continues to update these figures weekly to maintain transparency regarding its operational capacity and to reflect the realities of application volumes across its global network.
For continued coverage on federal and provincial immigration developments, including updates to processing metrics and nomination program performance, readers can explore the latest verified immigration news and data releases.