Latest IRCC Processing Time As of May 2023: What to Expect

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the federal agency responsible for processing applications for immigration, citizenship, and other immigration-related services. Processing times vary depending on the type of application, the volume of applications received, and other factors. As of May 2023, here’s what applicants can expect regarding the latest IRCC processing times.

Below are the updated processing times for various Canadian immigration programs as of May 26, 2023:

1. Permanent Residency (PR) cards & Citizenship:
   • Citizenship grant: 21 months
   • Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship): 11 months
   • Resumption of citizenship: 30 months
   • Renunciation of Citizenship: 14 months
   • Search of citizenship records: 15 months
   • New PR card: 34 days
   • PR card renewals: 89 days​¹​
2. Family Sponsorship:
   • Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada: 16 months
   • Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada: 14 months
   • Parents or Grandparents PR: 25 months​¹​
3. Canadian Passport:
   • In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services): 10 business days
   • In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre): 20 business days
   • In-Canada Urgent pick-up: By the end of next business day
   • In-Canada Express pick-up: 2-9 business days
   • Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada: 20 business days​¹​
4. Permanent Residency Economic Class:
   • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 4 months
   • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 26 months
   • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 10 months
   • Non-Express Entry PNP: 19 months
   • Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 21 months
   • Quebec Business Class entrepreneurs (Quebec) investors (Quebec) self-employed persons (Quebec): 68 months
   • Federal Self-Employed: 45 months
   • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 5 months
   • Start-Up Visa: 35 months​¹​
5. Temporary Resident Visas:
   • Visitor visa outside Canada (varies by country):
     • India: 29 Days
     • Nigeria: 779 Days
     • United States: 23 Days
     • Pakistan: 773 Days
     • Philippines: 28 Days
     • UAE: 709 Days
     • Bangladesh: 100 Days
     • Sri Lanka: 84 Days
     • United Kingdom: 336 Days​¹​

Please keep in mind that these processing times are based on the processing times of 80% of applicants, so the processing time for your specific application may be longer or shorter than stated. Also, these times are subject to change as they are updated regularly

1. Express Entry

Express Entry is the system that manages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. As of May 2023, the average processing time for Express Entry applications is six months. This timeframe starts from the date an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, not from the time they entered the Express Entry pool.

2. Family Sponsorship

Processing times for family sponsorship applications, which include spousal, partner, child, and parental sponsorship, can vary. As of May 2023, the average processing time for spousal and partner sponsorship applications is 12 months. For child and parental sponsorship applications, the processing time is approximately 20 to 24 months.

3. Study Permit

The processing time for study permits can vary based on the country of residence of the applicant. As of May 2023, the average processing time for study permit applications is approximately two months. It’s crucial for prospective students to apply as early as possible to avoid potential delays.

4. Work Permit

Temporary work permits also vary in processing time based on the type of work permit and the applicant’s country of residence. Generally, the average processing time as of May 2023 is approximately one to three months.

5. Visitor Visa

As of May 2023, the processing time for visitor visa applications, which include tourist visas and super visas, is approximately two to four weeks. However, processing times can be longer for applicants from certain countries.

6. Citizenship Applications

Citizenship application processing times start from the date IRCC receives the application and ends when a decision is made. As of May 2023, the estimated processing time for routine citizenship applications is approximately 12 months.

In conclusion, it’s essential to remember that these processing times are estimates and can vary based on individual circumstances and IRCC’s workload. To ensure a smooth application process, ensure all forms are correctly filled out and all necessary supporting documents are included.