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New Updated IRCC Processing Times As Of February 28

Last Updated On 1 March 2023, 11:02 AM EST (Toronto Time)


This page covers the most recent official IRCC processing times as of February 28, 2023, as well as a comparison to the prior week’s processing timings.

Please read the following information carefully to understand what these processing times represent.

In 2022, the IRCC modified their processing tool to provide precise information on typical processing times rather than just service standard times.

The goal of these processing timeframes is to provide potential immigrants or visa applicants to Canada an indication of how long it may take for a decision to be reached on their application.

These times are based on data collected over the previous 6 months for 80% of the applications that have previously been finalized and are designed to offer updated weekly processing timeframes.

This does not indicate that your application will be processed in the same amount of time.

Because this processing update represents an average of the processing times for 80% of the applications, it may take longer or shorter than the time shown.

Keep in mind that the processing time begins when IRCC receives the application and ends when the immigration officer determines whether to accept or refuse the application.

We have been monitoring and comparing the processing times that the IRCC officially publishes on a weekly basis for more than a year.

IRCC Processing Times for Citizenship & PR cards

Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
Citizenship grant23 monthsNo Change
Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)14 monthsNo Change
Resumption of citizenship24 monthsNo Change
Renunciation of Citizenship15 monthsNo Change
Search of citizenship records16 monthsNo Change
New PR card39 days– 1 Day
PR card renewals71 daysNo Change

The IRCC is now sending acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letters or emails to paper and online citizenship applicants who filed their applications during the week of January 12, 2023.

IRCC Processing Time for Family Sponsorship

Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada16 monthsNo Change
Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada14 monthsNo Change
Parents or Grandparents PR39 monthsNo Change

According to the most recent official IRCC statistics, the Canadian immigration backlog has nearly reached 1 million.

Moreover, 969,900 applications were being handled in accordance with IRCC service standard timeframes. As of January 31, 2023, IRCC was processing approximately 2 million applications.

Processing time for Canadian Passport 

Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services)10 business daysNo Change
In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre)20 business daysNo Change
In-Canda Urgent pick-upBy the end of next business dayNo Change
In-Canada Express pick-up2-9 business daysNo Change
Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada20 business daysNo Change

IRCC Processing time for Economic Class

Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)16 monthsNo Change
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)31 monthsNo Change
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)70 monthsNo Change
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry11 monthsNo Change
Non-Express Entry PNP21 monthsNo Change
Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW)19 monthsNo Change
Quebec Business Class67 monthsNo Change
Federal Self-Employed42 monthsNo Change
Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)23 monthsNo Change
Start-Up Visa33 monthsNo Change

Processing Time for Temporary Residence Application 

Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
Visitor visa outside CanadaVaries by country
India: 70 Days
Nigeria: 330 Days
United States: 24 Days
Pakistan: 183 Days
Philippines: 33 Days
UAE: 318 Days
Bangladesh: 203 Days
Sri Lanka: 132 Days
United Kingdom: 35 Days
– 15 Days for India
+ 13 Days for Nigeria
– 3 Days for United States
– 3 Days for Pakistan
– 5 Days for Philippines
+ 2 Days for UAE
– 1 Day for Bangladesh
+ 22 Days for Sri Lanka
– 174 Days for UK
Visitor visa inside CanadaOnline: 13 days
Paper-Based: 32 days
– 1 Day for online
+ 5 Days for paper-based
Parents or Grandparents Super VisaVaries by country
India: 134 Days
Nigeria: 396 Days
United States: 125 Days
Pakistan: 416 Days
Philippines: 228 Days
UAE: 314 Days
Bangladesh: 249 Days
Sri Lanka: 280 Days
United Kingdom: 168 Days
+ 2 Days for India
No Change for Nigeria
– 139 Days for United States
– 12 Days for Pakistan
+ 18 Days for Philippines
+ 28 Days for UAE
+ 4 Days for Bangladesh
No Change for Sri Lanka
+ 5 Days for UK
Study Permit Outside Canada10 WeeksNo Change
Visitor Extension (Visitor Record)Online: 175 days
Paper-Based: 95 days
– 7 Days (Online)
+ 8 Days for Paper-Based
Study Permit Inside Canada4 Weeks– 1 Week
Study Permit ExtensionOnline: 118 Days
Paper-Based: 113 Days
– 16 Days (Online)
+ 2 Days (Paper-Based)
Work Permit Outside Canada*Varies by country
India: 8 Weeks
Nigeria: 27 Weeks
United States: 16 Weeks
Pakistan: 43 Weeks
Philippines: 14 Weeks
UAE: 36 Weeks
Bangladesh: 31 Weeks
Sri Lanka: 22 Weeks
United Kingdom: 12 Weeks
No Change for India
– 25 Weeks for Nigeria
No Change for United States
+ 3 Weeks for Pakistan
No Change for Philippines
– 3 Weeks for UAE
– 1 Week for Bangladesh
– 2 Weeks for Sri Lanka
+ 1 Week for UK
Work Permit Inside CanadaOnline: 158 Days
Paper-Based: 58 Days
– 1 Day (Online)
– 2 Days for paper-based
International Experience Canada (Current Season)2 WeeksNo Change
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP)22 DaysNo Change
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)5 minutesNo Change
*Applications for the critical job positions are currently being prioritized. Your processing time can be longer than indicated above if you are not applying for a position in a critical occupation.
Source: IRCC

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