Visa Processing Times for Canada 2025

By Travis P May 11, 2020 (Updated February 6, 2025) 8 min. read
canadian visa processing times

Many times when a foreign national is looking to immigrate to Canada, they want to know how long it will take to get there. Each visa has a different processing time and application process. You can find the current 2025 processing times for each Canadian visa or program below. If you click on the specific visa or program you are interested in, you can learn more about the processing time:

The processing time for Canadian Visas is defined as how long it takes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process your application from the day that they receive it. This is otherwise known as CIC or IRCC processing times.

Type of Visa or ProgramAverage Processing Time 2025
Express Entry6 months or less
Canada PR Card24 days
Canada PR Renewal17 days
Canada Work Permit5 weeks – 36 months
LMIA8 – 76 days
Canada Student Visa8 – 17 weeks
Canadian Citizenship8 – 24 months
Parent and Grandparent24 months
Canadian Visitor Visa10 – 27 days (while inside Canada)
2 – 8 months (while outside Canada)
Canada Spousal Sponsorship10 months
Super Visa4 – 6 months
Post-Graduate2-6 months

Factors that Can Increase Canada Visa Processing Time

According to the CIC, several items can factor in how long it will take for your Canadian Visa. These include:

  1. Type of visa application
  2. Country of applicant’s residency
  3. Application completion and correctness
  4. How easily the applicant’s information can be confirmed
  5. How quickly IRCC can process applications that are already in the system
  6. How long an applicant takes to respond to additional requests or concerns

Canadian Visitor Visa Processing Time

15 days – 8 months

Similar to work visas and study permits, a visitor visa processing time can depend on which country the applicant is applying from. The processing time will be determined by the circumstances below:

Visitor Visa (Outside Canada)

Canada Visitor Visa Processing Time After Biometrics

Depending on the Canada visitor visa you are applying for, it may take up to 30 days to process after biometrics. For precise and up-to-date information on the processing time for a Canada visitor visa, please contact your embassy/consulate or the visa application office. They will be able to supply you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about the visa application procedure and timing after biometrics.

Learn more about Canadian Visitor Visas.

Express Entry Processing Time

5-6 months or less

The Express Entry Program includes the following streams: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Most Express Entry applications are processed within six months from the date it is received. However, in some rare cases, this can take longer. Before the six-month processing time begins the applicant must provide all the necessary documents and upload them to their individual Express Entry profile.

Learn more about the Express Entry Program Processing Time.

Canada Permanent Resident Card Processing Time

24 days

Learn more about Canada PR Card processing times or renewing your Permanent Residence card.

Canada Work Permit Processing Time

5-36 weeks

The Canadian work permit processing time is the one with the largest range. The Work Permit processing time completely depends on the completion of your application and the office you applied at. We have found that it can take between 5-36 weeks to process a Canadian Work Permit depending on your specific circumstances.

Work Permit (while inside Canada) – 5 weeks
Work Permit (outside of Canada) – 5 to 6 months

Learn more about Canadian Work Permit.

LMIA Processing Time

8-76 days

The processing time for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications varies according to the amount of applications submitted by the TFWP.

Learn more on Labor Market Impact Assessment processing times.

Canada Student Visa Processing Time (Study Permit)

5 – 17 weeks

Just like work permits Canadian Study Permit Processing Times depend mostly on the applicant’s country of residence. Typically a Canadian study permit will be processed on specific circumstances:

Study Permit (while inside Canada) – 5 weeks
Study Permit (outside of Canada) – 5 to 17 weeks
Study Permit Extension – 112 days

Learn more on Canada Study Permit processing times.

Canadian Citizenship Processing Time

3-16 months

This means that from the day you submit your completed application, it could take around 9 months until it is fully processed.

Learn more about Canadian Citizenship processing times.

Canada Family Sponsorship Processing Time

Parent and Grandparent: 24 months

Canada Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time

10 months

The average processing time of a Canadian spousal sponsorship is approximately 10 months when your spouse is living in Canada. However, depending on specific circumstances like if your spouse is outside of Canada, it may take longer. 

Spouse/Common-Law Partner (Outside Canada): 10 months.

Spouse/Common-Law Partner (Inside Canada): 28 months

Learn more about Canadian Spousal Sponsorship.

Super Visa Processing Time

2-6 months

Most applications for a super visa are processed within 6 months and sometimes less. Processing times will vary depending on the visa office and the country you are applying from:

Learn more about Canadian Super Visas.

Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

2-6 months

When applying for a Canadian post-graduate work permit after your studies, you can expect to wait 5 to 6 months when applying online or 2 months when applying via paper. While waiting you are allowed to work if you applied for your PGWP before your student permit expired.

Learn more about Post-Graduate Work Permits.

Canada Temporary Residency Processing Times

Visitor Visa (Outside Canada):

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada): 40 days

Visitor Visa Extension: 125 days

Use the IRCC Processing Times tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take.

Common Questions About Canada Visa Processing Times

How long does it take for the Canadian visa to be approved?

This all depends on the visa type you are applying for, and if there are any current backlogs associated with that specific visa. See above for each visa type and processing time.

How often are processing times updated?

Most processing times are updated weekly.

These permanent resident programs have estimated processing times for new applications and are updated monthly:

The following programs show a commitment and are updated when new commitments are set:

When was the last time IRCC changed processing time estimations?

IRCC opted to generate processing time estimates based on the number of applications currently being processed rather than historical processing time data.

The following immigration categories have been changed by the modifications to the processing time estimation system:

What is the processing time for a Canadian passport?

The processing time for a passport application is determined by where and how the application is submitted, as well as the urgency of the request. The following are the processing times for passport applications submitted in Canada:

When applying for urgent or expedited service at a passport office, the application may be processed by the end of the following working day or may take up to nine business days.

If you are currently residing in the United States, you can apply by mail or in person at the nearest passport office or Service Canada location in Canada. For postal applications from the United States, the processing time is 20 business days.

All passport applications submitted outside Canada and the United States may take up to 20 business days. Applications made outside Canada may be submitted at the nearest Canadian government office abroad (i.e. embassy or consulate).

How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa After Biometrics Canada?

After you have submitted your biometrics to the IRCC with your visa application it should take around 8 weeks to receive your valid visa. Each case can vary so always discuss it with your immigration lawyer or consultant.

Do all Family Sponsorship applications have the same processing times?

No, the processing time for Family Sponsorship applications is determined by the family member being sponsored (spouse or common-law partner, dependent child, parents or grandparents, adopted child, or others) and his or her country of residency.

Why do certain application processing times fluctuate while others do not?

The quantity of applications submitted for each program determines processing timelines. If the quantity of applicants for a specific program remains constant, the processing durations remain constant.

However, some have a fluctuating number of applications throughout the year; in these circumstances, processing timeframes will fluctuate to reflect those fluctuations.

Find Out Canada Visa Processing Time From an Immigration Professional

Book a consultation today with an immigration professional! One of our Canadian immigration professionals will determine exactly how long it will take for you to receive your Canadian visa.

Use the IRCC Processing Times tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take.

BERLITA COLLADO Avatar

BERLITA COLLADO

I am so very thankful to the VISAPACE team for making it all come true and possible from my Open Work Permit to my Permanent Residence, you make it all happen .Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart , Thank you for being part of my achievements. Now I am now a Permanent Residence through the effort, power and knowledge of VISAPLACE LEGAL TEAM.
Sending you my best appreciation and thank you.

Berlie Collado

Shahrzad Sh Avatar

Shahrzad Sh

“I truly want to thank Mansi. Her patience and thoughtful advices made a big difference for me. Her recommendations were not only helpful but also gave me clearer insight. Words can’t fully express how grateful I am for her support.”

kevin geoffrey Avatar

kevin geoffrey

Visa place helped me with my daughter’s sponsorship 3 years ago. Last week I contacted them for some clarification on a different matter. It was about an issue which technically was a problem of CIC’s software glitch and had nothing to do with Visa Place.
Yet Reena Sandu was assigned for my case. she helped me with enthusiasm and showed no hesitation despite me being an ex-client from 3 years ago.
I was very happy that even after 3 years of finishing business, Visa Place were respectful of their clients. Special thanks again to Reena for her enthusiasm and support.

Nessie Leigh Ilarde Avatar

Nessie Leigh Ilarde

Thank you very much for helping me get my new visa! I appreciate Ms. Felicita and her colleagues for guiding us through the process making sure that everything is precise. Highly recommend your firm. Thanks again 🙂

parker ellis Avatar

parker ellis

Mansi Sanghvi has been nothing for of remarkable for me. I have been dealing with a visa, immigration issues , and any time I have to call her, she has been there to answer any questions. Has answers to every question and is there to HELP YOU. Truly could not recommend her more.

Domenico Orsi Avatar

Domenico Orsi

Bansuri was great help on the phone today. They were able to swiftly set up an appointment and facilitate all of my needs and questions.

Lincoln Godfrey Avatar

Lincoln Godfrey

Anis did a great job of listening to my situation and getting an attorney to talk to me right away, so I can cross the boarder without worrying about what they might ask me. He was kind and understanding and I look forward to working with him and his company in the future.