IRCC Updates PR & Citizenship Wait Times with New Tool

IRCC Launches New Personalized Processing Time Tool for PR and Citizenship Applicants

If you’ve been waiting to hear back on your Canadian permanent residence (PR) or citizenship application, there’s good news—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) just made things a lot more transparent. With a recent update to their online processing tool, applicants can now see more personalized estimates for how long their applications will take, and even where they are in the processing queue.

This small but mighty change could help ease some of the uncertainty that comes with navigating immigration timelines. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new, how to use the tool, and which application types are affected.

Key Highlights

• IRCC’s updated tool now shows personalized processing time estimates based on your actual submission date
• You can see your place in the processing queue and how many applicants are ahead of you
• Those who haven’t applied yet can see current average wait times and queue size
• The update applies to select economic, family sponsorship, citizenship, and humanitarian application types
• Temporary residence application timelines remain unchanged
• More transparency aims to improve applicant experience and reduce guesswork

What’s New with the IRCC Processing Times Tool?

Before this update, the IRCC’s processing tool only provided average wait times based on the type of application. That meant whether you applied last week or last year, you were given the same estimate—which wasn’t always helpful.

Now, for certain PR and citizenship streams, the tool asks two simple but key questions:

• Have you already applied? (Yes or No)
• When did you apply? (You’ll enter your exact application date)

Based on your answers, the tool will give you a personalized estimate of how much longer you’ll need to wait. It also shows how many people are ahead of you and how many total applications are in the queue for the same stream.

Example: Real-Life Scenario for Applicants

Let’s say Sally applied for PR through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in May 2025. In October 2025, she checks the updated tool.

After entering her details, here’s what she sees:

• Estimated time remaining: 26 months
• Applicants ahead of her: About 9,500
• Total waiting: About 13,100
• Processing time for new applicants: Around 37 months

That’s a significant improvement over the old system—which would’ve only told Sally that the average processing time for AIP is 37 months, regardless of when she applied.

What If You Haven’t Applied Yet?

If you’re still thinking about applying, the tool can still be helpful. Say Sally’s friend Rachel wants to apply through the same program but hasn’t submitted anything yet. When she checks the tool, she’ll see:

• Estimated processing time if applying now: About 37 months
• Number of people currently waiting: About 13,100

This allows Rachel to make a more informed decision about when to apply or to explore faster immigration pathways like the Manitoba PNP.

Which Applications Are Included in the Update?

As of now, not every immigration or citizenship stream is covered under the updated tool. But quite a few major ones are. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:

1. Economic Immigration Streams

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
• Express Entry:
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Self-Employed Persons Program
• Quebec Business Class
• Start-up Visa Program

2. Family Sponsorship

• Spouse or common-law partner (inside Canada)
• Spouse or common-law partner (outside Canada)
• Parents and Grandparents Program

Note: The sponsorship of dependent children, adopted children, or other relatives isn’t included in the personalized estimates yet.

3. Citizenship Applications

• Citizenship grants
• Citizenship certificates (proof of citizenship)

4. Humanitarian and Refugee Cases

• Humanitarian and compassionate considerations
• Refugees (protected persons and convention refugees within Canada)

If your application type isn’t listed above—such as requests to amend or replace immigration documents—the tool will still show the standard average processing times, not personalized estimates.

Why This Matters for Applicants

Let’s be honest—waiting on immigration decisions isn’t easy. The uncertainty can be stressful, especially if you’re making life-changing plans around your move to or stay in Canada. This new feature helps reduce that stress by giving you:

• A clearer sense of your place in the processing queue
• More realistic expectations about how much longer your wait might be
• Helpful data if you’re still deciding when or how to apply

It’s a step in the right direction toward a more transparent and applicant-friendly immigration system in Canada.

Thinking About Applying? Here’s What to Do Next

Whether you’ve already applied or are just getting started with your Canadian immigration or citizenship journey, staying informed is key. Use the updated IRCC tool to get a clearer picture of your timeline, and if you’re exploring your options, don’t forget to check out programs like the Manitoba PNP which may offer shorter processing times.

Need personalized advice or help figuring out your best path forward? Our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s make your Canadian dream a reality!