Update – Making Sense of IRCC Processing Times
The following is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1.
This information is current as of October 21, 2025.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is the government department responsible for receiving and processing all applications related to travel, immigration and citizenship to Canada. As part of the processing of these applications, on their website, IRCC provides a tool to search estimated timelines on how long it takes for a decision to be made. These timelines are commonly referred to as ‘IRCC Processing Times’.
Recently the Government has updated how this tool works. This has led to a number of news organizations reporting sudden and drastic increases to the times for some programs.
Below we provide some quick facts to better understand what processing times are, how IRCC determines them and how this has changed recently, and why the posted timelines do not always match your experiences.
Fact 1: Processing times are application ‘category’ and ‘type’ specific
- IRCC lists processing times based on the category and type of Immigration or Citizenship application.
- Examples of Categories: Temporary Residence, Permanent Residence, Citizenship, Travel Documents, Amendments, etc.
- Examples of ‘Types’: In-Canada versus outside of Canada Sponsorships, initial Work Permits versus extensions, Visitor Visas versus eTAs, etc.
- But, IRCC does not publish the processing times for some application types, for example Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs).
- Some application categories and types will have only one processing time listed for all applicants, and some will have different processing times depending on what country a person is applying from.
Fact 2: Posted processing times are an ‘estimation/average’
- The posted processing times reflect how long it takes IRCC to process most of that application category and type. It is an average, not an exact number.
- Previously, the posted times were calculated based on how long it took IRCC to process roughly 80 percent of applications, within a specific program, in the 6 months before the date someone did a search.
- Posted processing times would vary and change over time. IRCC usually updated the posted times on a weekly or monthly basis.
- The applicable processing times for an application was what is posted at the time an application was submitted.
Update: Processing Times and Queue Numbers
- The updated tool now takes into account more information and is forward-looking. Processing times are now based on:
- if there is an applicable yearly quota (approval limit) for a program,
- the number of applications that have already been submitted and are awaiting a decision, and
- if there are any operational priorities or IRCC staff capacity limits that affect how many applications can be processed.
- These changes, particularly the consideration of how many applications are already in process and if there are limits on how many applications can be accepted within a year, are why some programs have seen huge increases to how long applications are taking. The new numbers are a more realistic wait-time.
- The tool now also works in two ways: it can show what the estimated processing time will be for someone who has not made an application yet, and it can provide an estimate of how much longer someone who has already applied will have to wait.
Fact 3: Processing times are not a binding on IRCC
- Even with the updated tool, the posted processing times are not a deadline for IRCC to respond by. It is not uncommon for a decision on an application to take longer than the posted time.
- Each individual application is different, and every application will be different in how long it takes for IRCC to make a decision.
- This means, even if two people apply for the same thing, on the same day, there will very likely be a difference in how long it takes for each of them to get a decision.
While processing times can be a helpful tool to understand how long an application will take, it is important to remember that they are not exact and do not guarantee your application will take the same amount of time. The most important thing to do is make sure you are always paying attention to the communication channels IRCC may use to contact you, respond to any requests within their deadlines, and if you have questions or concerns about an application to contact your representative or local legal clinic for assistance.
To check processing times, please see the IRCC webpage: Check current IRCC processing times – Canada.ca
For more information about IRCC Applications and Processing Times, please visit the IRCC Website or please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext.1.