Canada’s immigration department has released a new snapshot of application processing timelines, revealing a clear divide in how different temporary resident categories are being handled in early 2026.
While some visitor visa applicants are benefiting from quicker approvals, others, particularly work permit and super visa applicants, are encountering longer and less predictable waits. Study permits, meanwhile, continue to show relative consistency compared to other streams.
This update reflects IRCC’s current workload, application inventory, and regional demand patterns.
Also Read How IRCC Calculates Processing Times
Visitor Visa Decisions: Faster Movement, But Not Everywhere
Visitor visa applications have seen selective improvements rather than across-the-board acceleration. The most noticeable gain is for applicants applying from India, who are now receiving decisions considerably sooner than before.
Other regions, however, have seen modest slowdowns, indicating that processing speed continues to vary by visa office and country of residence.
Visitor Visa Processing Snapshot
| Application Location | Latest Estimate | Previous Estimate |
| Canada | 21 days | 17 days |
| India | 83 days | 99 days |
| Pakistan | 56 days | 57 days |
| Nigeria | 40 days | 36 days |
| United States | 25 days | 27 days |
IRCC continues to aim for a 14-day service target for visitor visa applications submitted outside Canada, though timelines for in-Canada submissions are not bound by a formal standard.
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Work Permits: Growing Backlogs and Regional Spikes
Work permit processing shows the most strain in the latest update. Applicants applying from within Canada are now facing extended waits well beyond earlier estimates, while overseas applicants from certain countries are seeing sudden increases.
Pakistan and the United States stand out as regions where processing times have risen sharply in a short period.
Current Work Permit Timelines
| Application Location | Latest Estimate | Previous Estimate |
| Canada | 241 days | 220 days |
| India | 8 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Pakistan | 20 weeks | 13 weeks |
| Nigeria | 9 weeks | 11 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks | 7 weeks |
IRCC’s internal goal is to complete most in-Canada work permit applications within 120 days, while applications submitted from abroad typically follow a 60-day benchmark, excluding International Experience Canada permits.
Study Permits: Predictability Continues Despite Minor Shifts
Compared to other temporary visa categories, study permits remain the most reliable in terms of processing speed. Changes across regions were minimal, with most countries experiencing either no change or a one-week variation.
This stability suggests that international student applications continue to be processed with relative priority.
Study Permit Processing Overview
| Application Location | Latest Estimate | Previous Estimate |
| Canada | 7 weeks | 7 weeks |
| India | 4 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Pakistan | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Nigeria | 7 weeks | 6 weeks |
| United States | 7 weeks | 6 weeks |
For study permits, IRCC maintains a 60-day target for overseas applications and 120 days for in-Canada applications and extensions.
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Super Visas: Sudden Delays for U.S.-Based Applicants
Super visa processing experienced mixed changes globally, but applications filed from the United States saw the most dramatic shift. Processing timelines for U.S.-based applicants more than doubled, signaling either a surge in submissions or internal reallocation of resources.
Applicants from other countries saw only marginal changes, with some regions posting slight improvements.
Super Visa Processing Timelines
| Application Location | Latest Estimate | Previous Estimate |
| India | 214 days | 206 days |
| Pakistan | 126 days | 133 days |
| Nigeria | 38 days | 41 days |
| United States | 187 days | 93 days |
The standard service target for super visas remains 112 days, and applications must be submitted from outside Canada.
Why IRCC Processing Times Change So Frequently
IRCC updates its processing estimates regularly based on application volume, staffing capacity, and historical performance. These timelines reflect how long it may take to finalize most applications submitted at present, but they are not fixed guarantees.
Processing time calculations take into account:
- Past approval trends
- Current inventory levels
- Expected monthly decisions
- Case complexity and security checks
Only certain permanent residence and citizenship programs use forward-looking processing estimates. Temporary resident applications rely primarily on historical performance data.
What Applicants Should Take Away From This Update
Applicants planning short-term travel to Canada may find improved timelines, depending on where they apply from. International students can expect relative consistency, while foreign workers and families applying under the super visa program should prepare for longer waits and possible fluctuations.
As IRCC continues to balance demand across programs, early preparation, accurate documentation, and realistic timelines remain essential for all applicants.
