Canada Immigration Processing Times Update January 2026
As of January 14, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released the latest processing times for various application categories. These estimates are derived from the actual timelines encountered by 80% of applicants, a shift from the previous target-based method that did not accurately represent real waiting periods.
Key Points:
-
- Permanent residency and citizenship processing times are refreshed on a monthly basis.
-
- Temporary resident applications, including visitor visas, work permits, and study permits, along with PR card applications, are updated weekly.
Processing times for Canadian citizenship applications have been updated as of January 2026. Currently, the acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) for citizenship applications submitted around October 6, 2025, is being issued by the IRCC.
For Citizenship grants, the processing time remains steady at 13 months, while Citizenship certificates have increased to 10 months. This change can be significant for individuals requiring proof of citizenship for various purposes.
When it comes to Permanent Resident Card processing times, both new card applications and renewals have seen a slight increase. New PR cards now take 59 days, up by 4 days, while PR card renewals take 35 days, up by 1 day.
Processing times for different categories of immigration applications have also been provided. For spouse/common-law applications, both inside and outside Canada (Quebec and non-Quebec), processing times have remained relatively stable. However, Quebec sponsorship files tend to take longer due to additional provincial approval requirements.
Humanitarian and Compassionate and Protected Persons applications continue to have some of the longest waiting times, with estimates of more than 10 years in some cases. There have been improvements in processing times for Protected persons outside Quebec, while Quebec estimates remain lengthy.
Canadian Passport processing times have remained stable, with no changes reported in the processing times for various types of passport applications.
Under the Economic Class, processing times for different programs have seen some changes. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has improved to 6 months, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have both increased to 7 months. Despite improvements, some programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and Start-Up Visa still have processing times of “more than 10 years.”
Temporary Visa processing times, including Visitor Visas, Super Visas, Study Permits, and Work Permits, have also been updated. There have been fluctuations in processing times for different countries, with some seeing increases and others seeing decreases.
It’s important to note that processing times can change quickly due to various factors such as application volumes, staffing changes, security screenings, and policy adjustments. Applicants are advised to submit complete documentation, avoid gaps in their history, and stay updated on processing times to minimize delays.
In conclusion, the latest processing time update shows a mixed picture, with some programs improving while others are experiencing longer processing times. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead, submit complete documentation, and stay informed about updates in their application category.
