IRCC updates processing times for temporary visas
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released revised processing time estimates on April 29, 2026, showing notable reductions in several temporary residence categories. The changes reflect a comparison with figures published two weeks earlier on April 15.
The most significant shifts were recorded for applicants submitting from Pakistan and Nigeria, where processing times for both work and study permits declined. At the same time, visitor visa timelines moved upward slightly across all listed countries.
These updates provide the latest snapshot of how long temporary residence applications are taking to process, based on IRCC’s operational data.
- Work permit processing times dropped by eight weeks for Pakistan and six weeks for Nigeria
- Study permit timelines decreased by three weeks for Pakistan and two weeks for Nigeria
- Visitor visa processing times increased by between one and five days across all countries listed
- Super visa processing improved in most regions, including a seven-week reduction for U.S.-based applications
- In-Canada work permit processing remains above the 120-day service standard at 217 days
Recent changes to work permit processing
Processing times for employer-specific and open work permits showed broad improvement in the latest update. The largest reductions were recorded in applications originating from Pakistan and Nigeria.
Applications submitted from Pakistan are now processed in approximately eight weeks, compared to 16 weeks reported on April 15. For Nigeria, timelines decreased from 13 weeks to seven weeks over the same period.
Other regions showed smaller changes. Processing from the United States improved by one week to six weeks, while applications from the Philippines remained stable at seven weeks.
Applications submitted from within Canada continue to exceed established service benchmarks. The current processing time is 217 days, compared to IRCC’s service standard of 120 days for in-country submissions.
IRCC maintains distinct service standards for work permits, including 60 days for applications submitted from outside Canada and 56 days under the International Experience Canada program.
Study permit timelines show moderate declines
Study permit processing times also recorded declines in several regions. Pakistan-based applicants experienced a reduction from 12 weeks to nine weeks, marking the largest improvement in this category.
Nigeria saw processing times fall from seven weeks to five weeks. The Philippines recorded a one-week decrease, with applications now processed in approximately four weeks.
In contrast, timelines increased slightly for applicants from India and the United States. India rose from three weeks to four weeks, while U.S.-based applications increased from four to six weeks.
Applications submitted within Canada remained unchanged at eight weeks. IRCC’s service standard for study permits continues to be 120 days for in-Canada applications and 60 days for those submitted from abroad.
Visitor visa processing edges higher
Unlike work and study permits, visitor visa processing times rose modestly across all countries included in the update. The increases ranged from one to five additional days compared to mid-April figures.
Pakistan recorded the largest increase, with processing times moving from 43 days to 48 days. Nigeria increased from 42 days to 45 days, while India rose from 23 days to 27 days.
Applications from the United States increased to 22 days, up from 18 days, and the Philippines rose to 17 days from 15 days. In-Canada visitor visa processing also increased slightly, reaching 11 days.
The service standard for visitor visas submitted outside Canada remains set at 14 days.
Super visa processing improves in multiple regions
Processing times for parent and grandparent super visas declined across most regions in the latest data. The most pronounced improvement was observed for applicants from the United States.
U.S.-based applications dropped from 164 days to 115 days, representing a seven-week reduction. India also saw a decrease, from 182 days to 168 days.
Pakistan’s processing time improved slightly from 107 days to 102 days, while the Philippines decreased from 37 days to 34 days. Nigeria recorded a smaller change, with processing times moving from 39 days to 37 days.
Super visa applications are submitted exclusively from outside Canada, and the current service standard is 112 days.
Understanding IRCC processing estimates
IRCC publishes processing times to indicate the typical duration required to finalize applications. These figures begin counting from the date an application is received or electronically submitted.
For digital submissions, the timeline starts immediately upon submission. For paper-based files, processing begins once the application reaches IRCC’s intake facilities.
Processing time estimates are derived using two main approaches. Historical calculations measure how long it took to complete most applications of a given type, while forward-looking estimates consider current inventories and anticipated processing capacity.
Service standards differ from processing times. They represent internal targets used by IRCC to measure operational performance, with the expectation that most applications are finalized within those timeframes.
Not all applications are completed within service standards, as a portion may require additional review. These cases can extend beyond the target timelines.
Context within Canada’s immigration system
Temporary residence pathways such as work permits, study permits, and visitor visas form a significant portion of Canada’s overall immigration system. These programs support labour market needs, international education, and family reunification.
Processing timelines can vary significantly depending on application volumes, country of residence, and operational capacity at visa offices. Regular updates are issued by IRCC to reflect these changes.
Provincial immigration pathways, including streams under programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, operate separately from temporary residence processing but interact with it in some cases. Additional information on provincial selection criteria is available through tools such as the Manitoba PNP points calculator.
The April 29 update illustrates ongoing adjustments across multiple temporary residence categories, with reductions in work and study permit processing offset by slight increases in visitor visa timelines.
Further updates to processing times are expected as IRCC continues to revise estimates based on incoming application volumes and operational capacity, including the current work permit processing time of 217 days for in-Canada applicants.