Latest IRCC Processing Times – September 2025 Update

Published: September 11, 2025 (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its most recent update on application processing times as of September 10, 2025. These timelines cover a wide range of applications, including temporary visas, permanent residence programs, citizenship, passports, and family sponsorships.

It is important to remember that the times shown are averages based on 80% of finalized cases. They are not guarantees, as delays may still occur due to incomplete files, seasonal application surges, or additional background verifications.

1. Citizenship Applications

The road to Canadian citizenship continues to fluctuate slightly:

📌 Note: Applicants who applied before July 7, 2025, should expect to receive their Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) soon.

2. Permanent Resident (PR) Cards

PR cards remain essential for newcomers and permanent residents renewing their status.

3. Family Sponsorship (Monthly Updates)

Processing times for sponsorship applications show both improvements and delays depending on the stream.

4. Passport Services

IRCC continues to maintain stable timelines for Canadian passports:

• In-person applications: 10 business days

• Mailed applications (within Canada): 20 business days

• Urgent pick-up: Next business day

• Express pick-up: 2–9 business days

• Applications mailed from outside Canada: 20 business days

5. Permanent Residency Programs

Processing times for popular PR pathways show some significant variations:

Observation: Express Entry programs such as CEC and FSWP remain the fastest options, while Quebec and business immigration streams continue to face longer waits.

6. Temporary Resident Visas & Permits

Visitor Visas (Overseas)

Processing varies significantly by country:

• India: 63 days (+9)

• USA: 24 days (no change)

• Nigeria: 31 days (-5)

• Pakistan: 48 days (+1)

• Philippines: 19 days (-1)

Visitor Visa (Inside Canada)

• 13 days (reduced by 2 days)

Visitor Record Extension

• 170 days (reduced by 10 days)

Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents)

• India: 139 days (no change)

• USA: 89 days (+2)

• Nigeria: 55 days (-2)

• Pakistan: 112 days (-14)

• Philippines: 71 days (-3)

Study Permits

• India: 4 weeks (+1)

• USA: 10 weeks (no change)

• Nigeria: 8 weeks (+2)

• Pakistan: 9 weeks (no change)

• Philippines: 6 weeks (-1)

• Inside Canada:

  • Initial study permit: 6 weeks (no change)

  • Extension: 163 days (-10 days)

Work Permits

• India: 8 weeks (no change)

• USA: 3 weeks (-1)

• Nigeria: 22 weeks (+12)

• Pakistan: 12 weeks (+5)

• Philippines: 6 weeks (no change)

• Inside Canada (new & extensions): 190 days (-3 days)

Other Temporary Visas

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): 70 days (+17)

• International Experience Canada (IEC): 5 weeks (no change)

• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes to 72 hours (no change)

Key Takeaways

• Express Entry remains one of the quickest pathways for skilled immigrants.

• Quebec and business streams continue to face long waits, especially Start-Up Visa (53 months) and Federal Self-Employed (61 months).

• Family sponsorship times have improved in many categories, particularly for in-Canada applications.

• Study and work permits are experiencing mixed changes depending on the applicant’s country of origin.

• Over 901,000 applications were still pending as of August 2025, which continues to affect processing efficiency.

These timelines are estimates only. Each case may differ based on complexity, completeness of documents, and IRCC’s workload. Applicants are encouraged to stay updated and prepare thoroughly to avoid unnecessary delays.

This Canada Immigration Weekly Update is based on official IRCC releases and verified event listings.

Stay informed by checking IRCC and provincial updates regularly. For personalized advice, consult a licensed immigration professional.
📎 For the latest Express Entry results, visit: https://ghasedak.ca/express-entry/express-entry-draws/