Canada Immigration Update: PNP & IRCC Processing Times 2024

How IRCC Processing Times Have Changed Since July 2024

If you’re planning to move to Canada or are already in the process of applying for immigration, keeping tabs on processing times is crucial. Whether you’re applying for permanent residence, a visitor visa, or Canadian citizenship, timelines can shift — and they have.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly updates its processing times to reflect current realities. In this post, we’ll break down how those timelines have changed between July 2024 and now, across a variety of programs.

Key Highlights

• Express Entry timelines remained mostly stable, with minimal changes.
• PNP and Spousal Sponsorship saw significant increases in processing times.
• Visitor visas and work permits have improved for many countries.
• Study permit extensions have more than tripled in processing time.
• Citizenship applications are generally taking longer than a year ago.

Permanent Residence: What’s Changed?

Express Entry

Express Entry applications have stayed relatively consistent. The Canadian Experience Class remains steady at 5 months, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program has increased slightly from 5 months to 6 months. As of now, IRCC has not released data for the Federal Skilled Trades Program due to insufficient application volume.

IRCC service standard: 180 days for most Express Entry applications.

Looking to start your journey through Express Entry? Use our MPNP Points Calculator to assess your eligibility.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Processing times for PNP applications have increased across the board. Enhanced PNP applications (those tied to Express Entry) now take about 8 months, up from 6. Base PNP applications not tied to Express Entry have jumped significantly—from 11 months to 19 months.

IRCC service standards:

• 11 months for base PNP applications submitted online
• 180 days for enhanced PNP applications submitted electronically

If you’re considering the Manitoba PNP, check your points using the Manitoba PNP Points Calculator.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Applicants under the AIP are now facing longer wait times—12 months compared to just 7 months in July 2024. While there’s no official service standard for AIP applications, eligible candidates can apply for special work permits valid for up to two years, allowing them to start working while their application is processed.

Spousal Sponsorship

Spousal sponsorship timelines have seen some of the most dramatic changes. For instance, those applying through the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (SLCPC) and planning to reside outside Quebec are now facing wait times of 34 months—up from 11 months last year. Applications for those residing in Quebec also saw notable increases.

IRCC service standard: 12 months for Family Class applications made from outside Canada. There is no published standard for SLCPC applications.

Temporary Residence: Visitor, Work, and Study Visas

Visitor Visas

The good news? Processing times for visitor visas submitted from many countries have decreased. For example:

• India: 28 days (down from 51)
• Pakistan: 36 days (down from 47)
• Nigeria: 56 days (down from 182!)
• USA: 21 days (down from 29)
• Philippines: 33 days (up slightly from 27)

If you’re applying from inside Canada, the processing time is currently 18 days, compared to 25 days last July.

IRCC service standard: 14 days for applications submitted outside Canada.

Visitor Records

If you’re extending your stay in Canada, the wait time for a visitor record has increased significantly—from 108 days in July 2024 to 193 days today. These applications must be submitted online from within Canada.

Work Permits

Here’s where we’re seeing a lot of improvement, at least for applications outside Canada:

• India: 7 weeks (down from 19)
• Pakistan: 5 weeks (down from 24)
• USA: 4 weeks (down from 18)

However, for applicants already in Canada, processing times for work permits have grown—from 109 days to 182 days.

IRCC service standards:

• 60 days for initial work permit applications submitted outside Canada
• 120 days for initial or extended work permits within Canada

Study Permits

Processing times for study permits vary depending on your location:

• India: 3 weeks (down from 4)
• Pakistan: 11 weeks (up from 9)
• Philippines: 10 weeks (up from 8)

Within Canada, study permit processing has increased to 12 weeks from 10. But the most striking change is for study permit extensions, which now take about 180 days—more than triple the 58 days it took last year.

IRCC service standards:

• 60 days for outside Canada applications
• 120 days for inside Canada applications

Citizenship Applications

Citizenship Grants

If you’re applying to become a Canadian citizen, you’re looking at a processing time of about 10 months—an increase from 7 months in July 2024. This timeline applies whether you apply from inside or outside the country.

IRCC service standard: 12 months.

Citizenship Certificates (Proof of Citizenship)

Processing times for citizenship certificates have also increased, from 3 months to 5 months. If you’re applying from outside Canada or the U.S., expect an extra 3 to 4 months. These certificates are essential for those seeking proof of Canadian citizenship, particularly individuals born abroad to Canadian parents.

Understanding Processing Times vs. Service Standards

Let’s clear up the confusion between two commonly mixed-up terms:

Processing Times

This is the average time it takes IRCC to process a specific application, from the day it’s received to the decision date. These are updated regularly and depend on factors like application volume and policy changes.

Service Standards

These are IRCC’s internal goals. They aim to process 80% of applications within these timelines, but they’re not guaranteed. The remaining 20% may take longer due to complexity or additional checks.

Final Thoughts

IRCC’s processing times are always evolving. While some application types have seen improvements, others are facing longer delays. Understanding where your application stands can make all the difference in planning your move or stay in Canada.

If you’re applying through a Provincial Nominee Program, especially the Manitoba PNP, be sure to check your points first to improve your chances.

Need help navigating Canada’s immigration process? Contact us today for expert advice tailored to your situation.