Indian travellers applying for Canadian visas are now experiencing longer processing times, according to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The average wait for a visitor visa from India has reached 99 days, the highest among major applicant countries. Those applying for super visas — meant for parents and grandparents — face an even longer delay of around 169 days.

IRCC Introduces Real-Time Processing Data

The IRCC recently revamped its processing time tool to reflect real-time data for 80% of applications, replacing outdated target timelines. This change aims to provide a more accurate picture for people planning to study, work, or reunite with family in Canada. While temporary visa and permit processing times are updated weekly, permanent residence and citizenship timelines are refreshed monthly. Actual processing durations depend on factors such as where the application is submitted, background checks, and IRCC’s workload.

Citizenship and PR Card Delays Continue

Over 290,000 applicants are currently waiting for citizenship decisions, with an average processing time of 13 months. Citizenship certificates take around nine months, while requests to renounce citizenship can now stretch up to 22 months. For permanent residents, PR card renewals are processed in about 29 days, and new PR cards take roughly two months, marking slight improvements from earlier updates.

Family Sponsorship Applications Facing Long Waits

Family reunification remains one of the slowest visa categories.
  • Spousal sponsorships filed outside Canada now take 14 months, while those submitted inland take about 20 months.
  • In Quebec, both types extend up to 37 months due to additional provincial steps.
  • Parents and grandparents are facing even longer delays — up to 42 months in most provinces and 50 months in Quebec.

Humanitarian and Refugee Cases Still Lagging

Applications under humanitarian and compassionate grounds continue to face severe delays, often taking over a decade to process. Similarly, protected person cases — including refugees and asylum seekers — can take between 100 and 106 months, depending on the province.

Mixed Progress in Economic Immigration

Economic and skilled immigration programs show varying timelines:
  • Canadian Experience Class: 7 months (up from 6)
  • Federal Skilled Worker: 6 months (unchanged)
  • Provincial Nominee (Express Entry): 6 months
  • Quebec Skilled Worker: 11 months
  • Atlantic Immigration Program: 37 months
  • Start-Up Visa & Self-Employed Program: Over 10 years

Study and Work Permit Updates

For Indian students, study permit processing has slightly improved to 4 weeks, down from 5 weeks previously. Applicants already inside Canada face longer waits — around 12 weeks for processing or 169 days for extensions. Work permit applications from India hold steady at 10 weeks, while in-Canada extensions now take an average of 227 days. Seasonal agricultural workers see faster results with 15-day processing, whereas International Experience Canada applications take about six weeks.

Temporary Visa Wait Times (By Country)

Visitor Visa Processing (Outside Canada):

  • India: 99 days
  • U.S.: 36 days
  • Nigeria: 27 days
  • Pakistan: 59 days
  • Philippines: 21 days

Super Visa Processing:

  • India: 169 days
  • U.S.: 58 days
  • Pakistan: 200 days
  • Nigeria: 50 days
  • Philippines: 102 days

Passport and eTA Timelines

Passport services continue to run smoothly:
  • In-person applications: 10 business days
  • Mail applications: 20 business days
  • Urgent pick-up: Next working day
  • Express pick-up: 2–9 business days
For Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), most requests are approved within minutes, though some may take up to 72 hours if additional screening is required.

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