Latest IRCC Processing Times (February 2026 Update)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has posted updated processing-time estimates for February 2026. These timelines are not guarantees. IRCC says the numbers are based on how long it took to process 80% of applications in the recent past, and individual files can take longer depending on screening, document completeness, and workload.
Official IRCC processing times tool (check the latest anytime):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
Citizenship (updated monthly)
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Citizenship grant: 14 months (+1 month)
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Citizenship certificate (proof): 11 months (+1 month)
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Renunciation: 18 months (+7 months)
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Search of records: 16 months (+3 months)
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Resumption: not available
IRCC also notes that processing can be longer for applicants outside Canada or the U.S.
PR Card (updated weekly)
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New PR card: 61 days (−1 day)
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PR card renewal: 30 days (−1 day)
Family Sponsorship (updated monthly)
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Spouse/common-law outside Canada (non-Quebec): 15 months (+1)
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Spouse/common-law outside Canada (Quebec): 35 months (no change)
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Spouse/common-law inside Canada (non-Quebec): 21 months (no change)
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Spouse/common-law inside Canada (Quebec): 35 months (−1)
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Parents & grandparents (non-Quebec): 35 months (−2)
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Parents & grandparents (Quebec): 47 months (−1)
Humanitarian & Protected Persons (updated monthly)
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H&C (Quebec and outside Quebec): more than 10 years (no change)
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Protected persons in Canada (outside Quebec): ~17 months (no change)
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Protected persons in Canada (Quebec): ~112 months (+2)
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Dependents of protected persons (outside Quebec): ~37 months (no change)
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Dependents of protected persons (Quebec): ~119 months (+1)
Economic PR (updated monthly)
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CEC: 7 months (+1)
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FSWP: 7 months (no change)
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PNP (Express Entry): 7 months (no change)
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Non-Express Entry PNP: 13 months (−3)
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Quebec Skilled Worker: 11 months (no change)
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Quebec Business: 80 months (+1)
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Federal Self-Employed: more than 10 years (no change)
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Atlantic Immigration Program: 33 months (no change)
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Start-Up Visa: more than 10 years (no change)
Temporary residence (updated weekly) — selected countries
Visitor visa (outside Canada):
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India 78 days | U.S. 25 days | Nigeria 51 days | Pakistan 58 days | Philippines 18 days
Inside Canada: visitor visa 21 days | visitor record extension 209 days
Super visa:
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India 213 days | U.S. 205 days | Nigeria 46 days | Pakistan 124 days | Philippines 112 days
Study permits:
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India 4 weeks | U.S. 7 weeks | Nigeria 8 weeks | Pakistan 7 weeks | Philippines 5 weeks
Inside Canada: 8 weeks | extension: 93 days
Work permits:
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India 8 weeks | U.S. 10 weeks | Nigeria 9 weeks | Pakistan 30 weeks | Philippines 7 weeks
Inside Canada: 246 days | SAWP: 7 days | IEC: 2 weeks | eTA: ~5 minutes (up to 72 hours if extra screening)
Reality check
Processing times move often (weekly for temporary residence and PR cards; monthly for most PR and citizenship). Always confirm the latest figure before making travel, school, or job plans using the official tool:
How IRCC calculates processing times (official explanation):
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=068&top=3
Related Reading
- IRCC Reverses Bill C-3 Citizenship Surrender Letters: What to Do If You Got One
- Biometrics for Canada Immigration: The 10-Year Rule, Fees, and Where to Give Them
- New Canada Laws And Rules Coming In March 2026
Not sure how this affects your own eligibility? Get a personalized report on your CRS score and which Express Entry or PNP category actually fits your situation.
