Canada updates IRCC processing times for family sponsorship, work permits and visas

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 03, 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its latest processing-time estimates, showing varying wait times for family sponsorship, work permits, study permits, visitor visas and permanent resident cards.

For spousal and common-law sponsorship outside Quebec, applicants with a spouse or partner living inside Canada face an estimated 27-month processing time, while those sponsoring a spouse or partner living outside Canada face an estimated 17 months. The figures were unchanged in IRCC’s latest monthly update.

Applicants in Quebec face longer waits, with processing estimated at 32 months for inland spousal sponsorship and 33 months for outside-Canada applications.

For temporary residence applications, the latest August 26 update showed work permits filed inside Canada, including extensions, taking about 115 days, down from 117 days the previous week.

For applications submitted from the Philippines, estimated processing times are currently:

• Work permit: 5 weeks
• Study permit: 4 weeks
• Visitor visa: 20 days
• Super visa: 104 days

Study permit applications filed from inside Canada are estimated at seven weeks, while study permit extensions take around 64 days. Visitor visa applications submitted from inside Canada currently take around 12 days.

Meanwhile, both new permanent resident cards and PR card renewals are estimated at 40 days.

IRCC cautions that published processing times are estimates rather than guarantees. 

Actual waiting periods can vary depending on the type and completeness of an application, the number of applications being processed and whether additional information or verification is required.