Canada’s immigration landscape continues to shift, and this week brought another major update. On November 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time report, offering fresh insights into how long newcomers, families, international students, and skilled workers can expect to wait.
These numbers shape real lives — from parents aching to reunite with children to international graduates hoping to turn their studies into a future in Canada. And as the immigration system evolves, staying updated has never been more important.
For four years, we’ve tracked these changes closely, helping applicants understand the real timelines behind PR cards, work permits, visas, Express Entry, and citizenship.
This year, IRCC redesigned its processing tool to reflect real-world timelines based on 80% of applications, offering a more transparent and realistic look into the system.
Below is your comprehensive, easy-to-read breakdown of all major processing streams, including comparison tables, backlogs, and significant changes for November 2025.
1.1 Citizenship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
The road to Canadian citizenship can be long, emotional, and deeply meaningful. Thousands of families wait each month for an AOR, test invitation, interview, or oath ceremony.
Citizenship Processing Summary – November 2025
| Application Type | People Waiting | Processing Time (Nov 6, 2025) | Change Since October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Grant | ~290,700 ⬆ +7,000 | 13 months | No change |
| Citizenship Certificate | ~39,000 ⬆ +3,600 | 9 months | ⬆ +1 month |
| Resumption of Citizenship | Not available | Not enough data | No change |
| Renunciation | Not available | 22 months | ⬆ +12 months |
| Search of Records | Not available | 13 months | No change |
➡ Note: Citizenship certificates requested outside Canada or the U.S. may experience longer delays.
Latest AOR Issued: Applications submitted around July 28, 2025.
1.2 Permanent Resident Card Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
Whether you’re a new permanent resident or renewing your PR card for travel, every day counts.
PR Card Timelines – November 19, 2025
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change Since Oct 29 |
|---|---|---|
| New PR Card | 58 days | ⬇ -5 days |
| PR Card Renewal | 30 days | No change |
Renewals remain stable while new cards see gradual improvement.
1.3 Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
Family reunification remains one of the most emotional pillars of Canadian immigration — and also one of the slowest.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times – November 2025
| Category | People Waiting | Processing Time | Monthly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse/CL (Outside Canada, non-Quebec) | ~45,200 ⬇ -700 | 14 months | ⬇ -1 month |
| Spouse/CL (Outside Canada, Quebec) | ~20,100 ⬇ -200 | 37 months | ⬇ -2 months |
| Spouse/CL (Inside Canada, non-Quebec) | ~49,900 ⬆ +400 | 20 months | ⬇ -2 months |
| Spouse/CL (Inside Canada, Quebec) | ~12,200 ⬆ +100 | 37 months | ⬇ -2 months |
| Parents/Grandparents (non-Quebec) | ~47,100 ⬆ +5,600 | 42 months | ⬆ +16 months |
| Parents/Grandparents (Quebec) | ~12,900 ⬆ +1,100 | 50 months | ⬆ +6 months |
Parent and grandparent sponsorships continue to face the longest delays, especially in Quebec, where provincial approval adds extra processing time.
1.4 Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) + Protected Persons Streams
These applications represent the most vulnerable applicants — survivors, refugees, and people seeking safety.
H&C + Protected Persons Processing – November 2025
| Category | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| H&C (Outside Quebec) | ~49,300 ⬇ -100 | 10+ years | No change |
| H&C (Quebec) | ~17,000 ⬆ +300 | 10+ years | No change |
| Protected Persons (Outside Quebec) | ~141,300 ⬆ +4,200 | ~100 months | ⬆ +1 month |
| Protected Persons (Quebec) | ~54,900 ⬆ +1,200 | ~106 months | ⬆ +2 months |
| Dependents | Not available | 50 months | No change |
The humanitarian backlog continues to grow, with some applications exceeding a decade.
1.5 Canadian Passport Processing Times
Canadian passports remain one of the most stable services.
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| New Passport (In-person) | 10 business days | No change |
| Mail Application | 20 days | No change |
| Urgent Pick-Up | Next business day | No change |
| Express Pick-Up | 2–9 days | No change |
| Outside Canada | 20 days | No change |
1.6 Economic Class PR – Express Entry, PNP & Business Immigration
Express Entry streams remain faster than business immigration, which continues to face extreme delays.
Economic Class Processing – November 2025
| Program | People Waiting | Timeline | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEC | ~19,800 ⬆ +1,900 | 7 months | ⬆ +1 month |
| FSWP | ~24,500 ⬆ +700 | 6 months | No change |
| FSTP | Not available | Not enough data | No change |
| PNP Express Entry | ~10,700 ⬇ -800 | 6 months | ⬇ -1 month |
| Non-EE PNP | ~96,000 ⬆ +1,300 | 16 months | No change |
| Quebec Skilled Worker | ~26,400 ⬆ +1,600 | 11 months | No change |
| Quebec Business | ~4,100 | 84 months | No change |
| Federal Self-Employed | ~8,500 ⬇ -100 | 10+ years | No change |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | ~13,300 ⬆ +200 | 37 months | No change |
| Start-Up Visa | ~43,800 ⬆ +600 | 10+ years | No change |
Key Insight: Business immigration — SUV, Self-Employed, Quebec Business — now shows some of the longest delays in Canadian immigration history.
1.7 Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) Processing Times
Visitor Visa Processing (Outside Canada)
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 106 days | ⬆ +20 days |
| USA | 35 days | ⬇ -3 days |
| Nigeria | 26 days | ⬇ -4 days |
| Pakistan | 85 days | ⬆ +29 days |
| Philippines | 21 days | ⬇ -3 days |
TRV Inside Canada: 18 days (⬇ -1 day)
Visitor Record Extension: 200 days (⬆ +18 days)
1.8 Super Visa Processing Times (Parents & Grandparents)
| Country | Days | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 171 days | ⬆ +3 |
| USA | 58 days | ⬇ -18 |
| Nigeria | 49 days | ⬇ -2 |
| Pakistan | 202 days | ⬇ -1 |
| Philippines | 122 days | ⬆ +45 |
1.9 Study Permit Processing Times
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 4 weeks | ⬇ -1 week |
| USA | 4 weeks | ⬇ -1 week |
| Nigeria | 7 weeks | ⬇ -1 week |
| Pakistan | 7 weeks | ⬇ -3 weeks |
| Philippines | 4 weeks | ⬇ -1 week |
Inside Canada: 12 weeks (⬆ +1 week)
Study Permit Extension: 157 days (⬆ -11 days)
1.10 Work Permit Processing Times
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 10 weeks | No change |
| USA | 6 weeks | ⬆ +2 |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | ⬇ -2 |
| Pakistan | 8 weeks | ⬆ +2 |
| Philippines | 6 weeks | No change |
Inside Canada Work Permits: 229 days (⬆ +3)
SAWP: 10 days (⬇ -49 days)
IEC: 5 weeks (⬇ -1 week)
eTA: 5 minutes to 72 hours
What This Update Means for Applicants
The IRCC November 2025 update paints a mixed and emotionally charged picture:
Some economic programs remain stable
Citizenship and CEC wait times have increased
Business immigration is facing decade-long backlogs
Quebec remains slower due to dual processing
Visitor visas are fluctuating widely by country
With increasing immigration demand and system pressure, applicants should:
✔ Prepare complete applications
✔ Stay updated weekly and monthly
✔ Be flexible with timelines
✔ Avoid last-minute submissions
In today’s climate, being informed isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often are IRCC processing times updated?
Monthly: PR & Citizenship
Weekly: TRVs, PR cards, extensions, work and study permits
2. Are IRCC estimates guaranteed?
No — these are averages, not guarantees.
3. Why are Quebec applications slower?
They require additional provincial approval on top of federal processing.
4. What are the latest citizenship processing times?
Citizenship grant: 13 months
Certificate: 9 months
