canada visa processing time 2025

Factors Affecting Processing Times

Understanding the processing times for Canadian visas is crucial for anyone planning to visit, study, work, or immigrate to Canada in 2025. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly updates its processing times, reflecting real-time data to provide applicants with realistic expectations. These timelines are estimates and can vary based on several factors.

Several factors influence how long it takes to process a Canadian visa application. These include:

• Type of Application: Different visa categories have varying requirements and processing procedures.
• Completeness of Application: Incomplete applications or missing documents can lead to delays.
• Country of Residence: Processing times can vary depending on the applicant's country of residence.
• Application Volume: High application volumes, especially during peak seasons, can increase processing times.
• Verification of Information: The ease with which IRCC can verify the information provided also affects processing times.
• Security and Background Checks: Thorough security and background checks can extend processing times.

The following processing times are based on the most recent updates available as of June 16, 2025, and are subject to change. It's important to consult the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date information.

Processing Times for Different Visa Categories (as of June 2025)

Citizenship Applications

Permanent Resident (PR) Cards

• Citizenship Grant: 10 months
• Citizenship Certificate: 5 months
• Renunciation of Citizenship: 7 months
• Search of Citizenship Records: 15 months
• Citizenship for adopted persons: 7 months

Family sponsorship timelines vary based on the region and application type, with Quebec often experiencing longer processing times due to provincial requirements.

Family Sponsorship

• New PR Card: 49 days
• PR Card Renewal or Replacing: 14 days

Canadian Passport Processing

• Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner living outside Canada (Outside Quebec): 37 months
• Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada (Outside Quebec): 11 months
• Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner living outside Canada (In Quebec): 34 months
• Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada (In Quebec): 38 months
• Parents or grandparents (Outside Quebec): 36 months
• Parents or grandparents (In Quebec): 48 months

Economic Class PR Programs

• New Passport (In-Person): 10 business days
• New Passport Applications mailed from abroad: 20 business days
• Urgent Pick-Up: By the end of the next business day
• Express Pick-Up: 2–9 business days
• Regular Passport (Mailed from Outside Canada): 20 business days

Temporary Resident Visas

• Atlantic Immigration Program: 12 months
• Canadian experience class (Online via Express Entry): 5 months 
• Provincial nominees (Online via Express Entry): 8 months
• Provincial nominees: 19 months
• Skilled workers (federal)- Online via Express Entry: 6 months
• Skilled trades (federal)- Online via Express Entry: Not enough data
• Self-employed persons (federal): 53 months
• Skilled workers (Quebec): 9 months
• Start-up visa: 43 months
• Quebec business class (Includes entrepreneurs, investors, self-employed persons): Not enough data

Processing times for temporary resident visas vary by country and visa type.

Applicants can take several steps to potentially expedite their visa applications:

Tips to Reduce Processing Times

• Visitor Visa (from outside Canada)
  • India: 21 days
  • United Arab Emirates(UAE): 35 days
  • United States: 19 days
  • Nigeria: 83 days
  • Pakistan: 30 days
  • Philippines: 31 days
  • Singapore: 39 days
• Visitor Visa (Inside Canada): 23 days
• Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents)
  • India: 78 days
  • United Arab Emirates: 240 days
  • United States: 93 days
  • Nigeria: 61 days
  • Pakistan: 171 days
  • Philippines: 112 days
• Study Permit (Outside Canada)
  • India: 5 weeks
  • United Arab Emirates: 9 weeks
  • United States: 6 weeks
  • Nigeria: 5 weeks
  • Pakistan: 11 weeks
  • Philippines: 16 weeks
• Work Permit (Outside Canada)
  • India: 12 weeks
  • United Arab Emirates: 9 weeks
  • United States: 7 weeks
  • Nigeria: 16 weeks
  • Pakistan: 5 weeks
  • Philippines: 6 weeks
  • Saudi Arabia: 7 weeks
• Work Permit (Inside Canada): 225 days
• Other Temporary Visas
  • Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): 36 days
  • International Experience Canada (IEC): 5 weeks
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes

• Submit a Complete Application: Ensure all required forms, documents, and fees are included.
• Apply Online: Online applications are often processed faster than paper-based applications.
• Respond Promptly: Respond quickly to any requests for information from IRCC.
• Apply During Off-Peak Seasons: Avoid applying during peak travel seasons or around academic start dates.
• Use Official Resources: Utilize the IRCC website for guidance and document checklists.