Canada Visa Processing Times 2026: Visitor, Study, Work, PR
How long Canada takes to decide an application depends on what you apply for and, for visitor visas, study permits and work permits, on the country you apply from. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes its current estimates in an online tool. These are the figures it showed on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
In October 2026, IRCC's processing times tool shows a visitor visa taking from 18 days (applying from the United States) to 100 days (Nigeria), a study permit from outside Canada 4 to 10 weeks, and a work permit from outside Canada 4 to 11 weeks, across the six countries we checked. An eTA takes 5 minutes. For permanent residence, Express Entry is at about 6 months for the Canadian Experience Class and about 7 months for federal skilled workers. Spousal sponsorship is at about 18 months for a partner outside Canada and 26 months for one inside. A citizenship grant takes about 12 months. IRCC says these times are not a maximum or a guarantee.
Visitor visa, study permit and work permit, by country
For applications made from outside Canada, the time depends on the country you apply from. IRCC updated these figures on 7 October 2026 and updates them weekly.
| Applying from | Visitor visa | Study permit | Work permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 30 days | 6 weeks | 11 weeks |
| Philippines | 25 days | 5 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Nigeria | 100 days | 10 weeks | 10 weeks |
| Pakistan | 71 days | 7 weeks | 8 weeks |
| United States | 18 days | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
| United Kingdom | 24 days | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
For work permits, IRCC notes that it is prioritizing applications for essential occupations. The tool lists countries individually; pick yours to see its figure.
Applications made from inside Canada
| Application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (from inside Canada) | 11 days |
| Visitor extension (visitor record) | 370 days |
| Study permit in Canada | 8 weeks |
| Study permit extension | 9 weeks |
| Work permit in Canada | 14 weeks |
| Work permit extension | 13 weeks |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | 5 minutes |
The two extension figures were last updated on 4 October 2026 and the others on 7 October 2026.
Permanent residence
| Program | IRCC estimate if you apply today | People waiting for a decision |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) | About 6 months | About 58,900 |
| Federal skilled workers | About 7 months | About 53,800 |
| Federal skilled trades (Express Entry) | Not enough data | Not shown |
| Provincial nominees, via Express Entry | About 7 months | About 12,800 |
| Provincial nominees, not via Express Entry | About 13 months | About 101,500 |
These monthly figures were last updated on 3 September 2026, and IRCC flags that processing times may increase. Our Canada permanent residence guide explains the programs.
Family sponsorship
| Who is being sponsored (applications outside Quebec) | IRCC estimate if you apply today |
|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada | About 26 months |
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner living outside Canada | About 18 months |
| Parents or grandparents | About 28 months |
The tool gives separate figures for applicants who will live in Quebec. These figures were last updated on 3 September 2026.
Citizenship and PR cards
| Application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Citizenship grant | About 12 months, with about 327,100 people waiting |
| New permanent resident card | 33 days |
| Renewing or replacing a permanent resident card | 38 days |
How IRCC works out these times
The figure shown is how long IRCC expects to take to process an application if it receives it today. It is based on how many applications are in its inventory, how many people it has processing that type of application, and how many applications it expects to get. It includes the time it takes to give your biometrics.
Your processing time starts the day IRCC receives your complete application and ends when it makes a decision. IRCC states that your application may take longer than the times shown, and that they are not a maximum or a guarantee.
What you can do about it
- Send a complete application. The clock starts only when IRCC receives your complete application.
- Do not apply twice. IRCC's advice to people who have already applied is not to send a new application: the longer you have been waiting, the closer you are to the front of the line.
- Check your own country's figure. Times for visitor visas, study permits and work permits differ widely between countries, as the table above shows.
- Check again before you book anything. The weekly figures move, and the monthly ones carry IRCC's note that processing times may increase.
A current exception
When we checked, IRCC's tool carried an alert that foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are temporarily not permitted to travel to Canada, and that it is not finalizing applications from those three countries at this time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Canada visitor visa take in 2026?
It depends on the country you apply from. In October 2026 IRCC's tool showed 18 days from the United States, 24 days from the United Kingdom, 25 days from the Philippines, 30 days from India, 71 days from Pakistan and 100 days from Nigeria.
How long does a Canada study permit take?
From outside Canada, IRCC's tool showed 4 weeks from the United Kingdom, 5 weeks from the Philippines, 6 weeks from India and the United States, 7 weeks from Pakistan and 10 weeks from Nigeria. A study permit applied for inside Canada was at 8 weeks.
How long does a Canada work permit take?
From outside Canada, 4 weeks from the United Kingdom, 6 weeks from the United States, 7 weeks from the Philippines, 8 weeks from Pakistan, 10 weeks from Nigeria and 11 weeks from India. A work permit applied for inside Canada was at 14 weeks and an extension at 13 weeks.
How long does Express Entry take?
IRCC estimates about 6 months for the Canadian Experience Class and about 7 months for federal skilled workers and for provincial nominees who apply through Express Entry, counted from the day it receives a complete application.
How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?
For applications outside Quebec, about 18 months if the partner lives outside Canada and about 26 months if the partner lives in Canada, according to IRCC's tool in October 2026.
How long does Canadian citizenship take?
About 12 months for a citizenship grant, with about 327,100 people waiting for a decision when IRCC last updated the figure on 3 September 2026.
Are IRCC processing times guaranteed?
No. IRCC says your application may take longer than the times shown and that they are not a maximum or a guarantee.
Sources (official only)
All figures read from IRCC's processing times tool on 13 October 2026. IRCC updates them weekly or monthly, so check the tool for your own country and application before you plan. Information, not legal advice.