Work permit wait times rise as study permit processing times fall
On Nov. 13, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released updated processing time estimates for work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and super visas, reflecting figures as of Nov. 12, 2026.
Some of the more pronounced changes in the immigration department's latest update were:
- Work permits: Up one week for applicants in Pakistan and the Philippines.
- Study permits: Down two weeks for applicants in Canada and one week for those in Pakistan.
- Super visas: Down 10 days for applicants in Pakistan.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation
This article compares IRCC’s temporary residence processing times as of Nov. 12 with those published on Nov. 4.
The department’s next update is anticipated around Nov. 18.
Work permits
Work permit processing times for Pakistan-based applicants rose by one week to the slowest since late August, while those in the Philippines saw the same increase push waits to a level not seen in more than five months.
| Applying from: | Current (Nov. 12) | Previous (Nov. 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 16 weeks | 16 weeks |
| India | 10 weeks | 10 weeks |
| Pakistan | 10 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Nigeria | 10 weeks | 10 weeks |
| United States | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Philippines | 10 weeks | 9 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120 days.
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days.
Study permits
Study permit processing times dropped by two weeks for applicants from inside Canada and by one week for Pakistan, bringing both to their fastest pace in more than four months.
| Applying from: | Current (Nov. 12) | Previous (Nov. 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 6 weeks | 8 weeks |
| India | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Pakistan | 4 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Nigeria | 11 weeks | 11 weeks |
| United States | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions (initial and extensions): 120 days.
- Outside Canada submissions: 60 days.
Visitor visas
While applicants from India saw a modest two-day increase in visitor visa processing times, estimates declined for those from Nigeria and Pakistan, with the latter reaching their lowest level since early August.
| Applying from: | Current (Nov. 12) | Previous (Nov. 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 12 days | 12 days |
| India | 34 days | 32 days |
| Pakistan | 57 days | 58 days |
| Nigeria | 100 days | 103 days |
| United States | 18 days | 18 days |
| Philippines | 24 days | 24 days |
Service standard:
- In-Canada submissions: N/A.
- Outside Canada submissions: 14 days.
Visitor visa extensions: Between Nov. 4 to Nov. 12, the processing time for visitor visa extensions from within Canada declined from 310 days to 304 days.
Super visas
Super visa processing times fell by 10 days for Pakistan and five days each for applicants applying from Nigeria and the Philippines but rose slightly for those based in India and the U.S.
| *Applying from: | Current (Nov. 12) | Previous (Nov. 4) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 87 days | 85 days |
| Pakistan | 91 days | 101 days |
| Nigeria | 28 days | 33 days |
| United States | 78 days | 75 days |
| Philippines | 104 days | 109 days |
Service standard: 112 days.
*Super visa applications can only be submitted from outside Canada.
Understanding IRCC’s processing times and service standards
To help applicants understand expected processing timelines, IRCC publishes both processing time estimates and service standards, each serving a different purpose.
Processing times estimate the period applicants may wait for a decision after submitting an application. They are not intended as guarantees, nor do they reflect maximum wait times.
These estimates are calculated in one of two ways:
- Historical processing times: Draw on the time needed to finalize 80% of applications processed previously.
- Forward-looking processing times: Take into account the department’s existing application inventory and the resources available to process outstanding files.
Service standards, by contrast, represent IRCC’s operational targets, indicating how long the department aims to take to process 80% of applications under normal circumstances.
Actual wait times can vary from both measures due to application complexity, processing backlogs, available resources, additional documentation requirements, and verification procedures.
Processing time estimates are generally updated weekly for temporary residence applications and monthly for permanent residence and citizenship. Service standards are updated less often, with temporary residence standards last revised in 2018–2019.
During the January–August 2026 period, IRCC finalized 2,076,745 temporary residence applications. A further 365,425 applications remained in its processing inventory as of Aug. 31.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
