What changed since October 29
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) refreshed its weekly processing times on November 4, 2026. After the large swings of late October, this week's changes for Iran are small. The visitor visa is down from 79 to 76 days and the work permit from 59 to 57 weeks. The study permit went up by one week, from 30 to 31. The super visa is unchanged at 231 days.
PR cards moved in the other direction. A first card for a new permanent resident shows 29 days (was 28), and a renewal or replacement shows 46 days (was 43). On October 14 it was 38 days.
Applications from Iran and PR cards
| Application | November 4, 2026 | October 29, 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa, applying from Iran | 76 days | 79 days | 3 days shorter |
| Study permit, applying from Iran | 31 weeks | 30 weeks | 1 week longer |
| Work permit, applying from Iran | 57 weeks | 59 weeks | 2 weeks shorter |
| Parent and grandparent super visa, applying from Iran | 231 days | 231 days | No change |
| First PR card for new permanent residents | 29 days | 28 days | 1 day longer |
| PR card renewal or replacement | 46 days | 43 days | 3 days longer |
The temporary residence figures are for applications submitted from outside Canada and depend on the country you apply from; the ones above are for Iran. IRCC updates them weekly.
Express Entry, family sponsorship, citizenship and protected persons
IRCC updates its estimates for permanent residence and citizenship once a month. The current set is still the one dated October 9, 2026, so nothing in this table has changed since our last report.
| Application | Estimated processing time (October 9, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class | About 6 months |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program | About 7 months |
| Express Entry: Provincial Nominee Program | About 7 months |
| Spousal sponsorship, inside Canada (outside Quebec) | About 26 months |
| Spousal sponsorship, outside Canada (outside Quebec) | About 18 months |
| Citizenship grant | About 12 months |
| Permanent residence for protected persons (outside Quebec) | About 13 months |
Applications destined for Quebec have separate, longer figures on IRCC's page.
What this means for you
For students in Iran, the picture is the same as last week. Thirty-one weeks counted from early November runs into June 2027. A new application filed now is unlikely to be decided in time for a January start and may not be decided in time for May. If you hold an admission for one of those terms, ask your school about deferral before you pay a deposit you may not get back.
If your PR card expires soon and you plan to travel, apply early. The renewal figure has gone up in each of our last two reports. A permanent resident who is outside Canada without a valid card needs a permanent resident travel document to return by plane or another commercial carrier.
These figures are not a promise for any one file. IRCC says they are not a maximum or a guarantee, and a request for more documents or an interview adds time. If you have already applied, do not send a second application. If your file has passed the posted time, our guide to what you can do walks through the options.