Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Oct. 9 processing times update shows that timelines for permanent residence (PR) and citizenship applications have held steady over the past month.
Applicants in Canada awaiting decisions on their PR applications may be eligible to apply for Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs).
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A BOWP applicant who remains in Canada can benefit from maintained status, which authorizes them to work under the conditions of their existing work permit until a decision is made on their application for the BOWP.
PR: economic immigration
Express Entry
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 months | 6 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 7 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | N/A* | N/A* |
*IRCC does not publish processing times for FSTP applications, citing “not enough data.”
IRCC service standard: Six months across all Express Entry programs.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
Provincial Nominee Program
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Through Express Entry (enhanced) | 7 months | 7 months |
| Non-Express Entry (base) | 13 months | 13 months |
Service standard: Six months for enhanced PNP applications; 11 months for base PNP applications.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
Under a temporary measure in effect since June 9, 2026, many base PNP applicants no longer need to wait for an AOR for their PR application before applying for a BOWP.
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Quebec immigration
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) | 11 months | 11 months |
| Quebec Business Class (QBC) | 75 months | 75 months |
Service standard: Six months for PSTQ applicants, unpublished for QBC applications.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
- PSTQ: 20,500 (+100).
- QBC: 3,600 (-100).
Atlantic Immigration Program
| Current (October 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|
| 26 months | 26 months |
Service standard: 11 months for AIP submissions.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment: 11,500 (-300).
Other economic programs
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Start-Up Visa (SUV) | 10+ years | 10+ years |
| Federal Self-Employed Persons Program (FSEPP) | 10+ years | 10+ years |
Service standards are not available for the above programs.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
PR: family sponsorship
Outside Quebec
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada | 26 months | 26 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada | 18 months | 18 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) | 28 months | 28 months |
Service standard: 12 months for sponsorship of a spouse/common-law partner outside Quebec; IRCC does not publish standards for other application types.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
- Partner living in Canada: 55,600 (+900).
- Partner living outside Canada: 65,600 (+6,000).
- Parents and Grandparents: 35,600 (-1,900).
Within Quebec
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada | 32 months | 32 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada | 33 months | 33 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program | 63 months | 63 months |
IRCC does not provide published service standards for those intending to settle within Quebec.
Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:
- Partner living in Canada: 14,500 (+300)
- Partner living outside Canada: 19,400 (+200).
- Parents and Grandparents: 10,300 (unchanged).
Citizenship
| Application type | Current (Oct. 9) | Previous (Sept. 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship grant | 12 months | 12 months |
| Renunciation of citizenship | 4 months | 4 months |
| Search of citizenship records | 19 months | 18 months |
IRCC’s citizenship grant inventory stood at 322,700 applications as of Oct. 9, down 4,400 applications since Sept. 3.
For the latest information on proof of citizenship certificate processing times, see our dedicated coverage.
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