New Canada Immigration Processing Times: June 2026 Update
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated immigration processing times as of June 24, 2026. The latest update shows major improvements in certain temporary and permanent residence categories, while several family sponsorship and citizenship streams continue to face long delays.
The biggest positive developments include faster inland work permits, a significant reduction in Atlantic Immigration Program processing times, and lower super visa timelines for many countries. However, citizenship certificate applications, visitor record extensions, and some spousal sponsorship streams remain slow.
IRCC processing times are based on the time it took to finalize 80% of applications in a specific category. Individual cases may take longer or shorter depending on document completeness, background checks, medical examinations, security reviews, and requests for additional information.
Key Highlights From the June 2026 Update
- Citizenship certificate processing time increased sharply to 15 months.
- Inland work permit processing dropped to 144 days.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program processing time fell by 12 months.
- Indian visitor visa processing declined to 22 days.
- Super visa processing for India dropped to 66 days.
- Spousal sponsorship processing times increased in several categories.
- Visitor record extensions remain high at 288 days.
- New PR cards are currently being processed in about 38 days.
Citizenship Processing Times
Citizenship certificate applications are the biggest concern in this update. The processing time increased from approximately three months earlier in the year to 15 months, while the number of applicants waiting rose significantly.
Application Type | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since May 2026 |
Citizenship Grant | Approximately 326,400 | 13 months | No change |
Citizenship Certificate | Approximately 82,000 | 15 months | Increased by 3 months |
Resumption of Citizenship | Not available | Not enough data | No change |
Renunciation of Citizenship | Not available | 7 months | No change |
Search of Citizenship Records | Not available | 17 months | No change |
IRCC is currently sending acknowledgement of receipt notices for citizenship applications submitted around February 16, 2026.
Applicants living outside Canada or the United States may experience longer citizenship certificate processing times.
Permanent Resident Card Processing Times
Permanent resident card processing remains relatively stable and has improved compared with earlier 2026 updates.
Application Type | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
New PR Card | 38 days | Improved by 1 day |
PR Card Renewal | 32 days | Increased by 1 day |
New PR cards are now being issued approximately 24 days faster than the January 2026 baseline.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times
Family sponsorship processing times increased in several categories during June. Inland spousal sponsorship applications, particularly those involving Quebec, remain among the slower family class streams.
Category | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since May 2026 |
Spouse/Common-Law Outside Canada, Non-Quebec | Approximately 51,300 | 16 months | No change |
Spouse/Common-Law Outside Canada, Quebec | Approximately 18,600 | 33 months | Increased by 1 month |
Spouse/Common-Law Inside Canada, Non-Quebec | Approximately 55,200 | 26 months | Increased by 1 month |
Spouse/Common-Law Inside Canada, Quebec | Approximately 13,100 | 32 months | Increased by 1 month |
Parents and Grandparents, Non-Quebec | Approximately 43,500 | 32 months | Improved by 1 month |
Parents and Grandparents, Quebec | Approximately 11,000 | 67 months | Increased by 1 month |
IRCC did not refresh the number of people waiting in these categories during this reporting cycle. The queue figures shown are based on the latest available IRCC data.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications
Humanitarian and Compassionate applications continue to face extremely long processing times. Applications in both Quebec and outside Quebec remain above 10 years in several categories.
Category | People Waiting | Processing Time |
H&C Outside Quebec | Approximately 53,000 | More than 10 years |
H&C in Quebec | Approximately 19,100 | More than 10 years |
Protected Persons Outside Quebec | Approximately 104,100 | About 15 months |
Protected Persons in Quebec | Approximately 39,000 | About 119 months |
Dependents of Protected Persons Outside Quebec | Approximately 59,300 | About 35 months |
Dependents of Protected Persons in Quebec | Approximately 21,500 | More than 10 years |
Protected person dependants outside Quebec experienced one of the largest increases, with processing time rising by approximately three months.
Canadian Passport Processing Times
Canadian passport processing times remain unchanged and continue to be among the most reliable government processing categories.
Application Type | Current Processing Time |
New Passport Application in Person in Canada | 10 business days |
New Passport Application by Mail in Canada | 20 business days |
Urgent Pickup | Next business day |
Express Pickup | 2 to 9 business days |
Passport Application From Outside Canada | 20 business days |
Permanent Residence Processing Times
Several economic immigration programs showed meaningful progress in June 2026. The Atlantic Immigration Program recorded the largest improvement, with processing time falling by 12 months.
Category | Processing Time | Change Since May 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class | 7 months | No change |
Federal Skilled Worker Program | 7 months | No change |
Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not enough data | No change |
PNP Through Express Entry | 6 months | Improved by 1 month |
Non-Express Entry PNP | 13 months | Improved by 1 month |
Quebec Skilled Worker Program | 11 months | No change |
Quebec Business Class | 76 months | Improved by 2 months |
Federal Self-Employed Program | More than 10 years | No change |
Atlantic Immigration Program | 26 months | Improved by 12 months |
Start-Up Visa Program | More than 10 years | No change |
The Atlantic Immigration Program remains an important option for eligible applicants seeking permanent residence through participating Atlantic provinces, although processing time can still vary depending on the application and supporting documents.
Visitor Visa Processing Times Outside Canada
Visitor visa processing times improved for applicants from India, Pakistan, and several other countries.
Country | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
India | 22 days | Improved by 2 days |
United States | 31 days | No change |
Nigeria | 54 days | Increased by 1 day |
Pakistan | 43 days | No change |
Philippines | 17 days | No change |
Indian visitor visa processing is now approximately 60 days faster than the January 2026 baseline.
Visitor visa applications submitted from inside Canada are currently taking approximately 42 days.
Visitor Record Extension Processing Time
Visitor record extensions remain one of the slower temporary residence categories.
Current visitor record extension processing time is approximately 288 days.
Although this is 10 days lower than the previous week, it remains significantly higher than earlier 2026 processing times. Applicants seeking to extend their visitor status should apply well before their current status expires.
Super Visa Processing Times
Super visa processing improved significantly in June, particularly for applicants from India.
Country | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
India | 66 days | Improved by 44 days |
United States | 104 days | Increased by 3 days |
Nigeria | 34 days | Improved by 1 day |
Pakistan | 95 days | Increased by 11 days |
Philippines | 42 days | Increased by 1 day |
The super visa processing time for India is now approximately 188 days lower than the January 2026 baseline.
Study Permit Processing Times
Study permit processing times remain broadly stable across major applicant countries.
Country | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
India | 4 weeks | Improved by 1 week |
United States | 5 weeks | No change |
Nigeria | 5 weeks | Improved by 1 week |
Pakistan | 6 weeks | No change |
Philippines | 4 weeks | No change |
Study permit applications submitted from inside Canada are currently taking approximately six weeks.
Study permit extension applications are taking around 71 days, which is four days higher than the prior week.
Work Permit Processing Times
Work permit processing times vary considerably depending on the applicant’s country of residence and whether the application is made from inside or outside Canada.
Country | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
India | 9 weeks | No change |
United States | 4 weeks | No change |
Nigeria | 9 weeks | Improved by 7 weeks |
Pakistan | 5 weeks | No change |
Philippines | 8 weeks | No change |
Inland work permit applications, including initial applications and extensions, are now taking approximately 144 days.
This is one of the most significant positive trends in the June 2026 update. Inland work permit processing is now 27 days faster than the previous week and substantially faster than earlier updates in 2026.
Other Work Permit Categories
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is currently taking approximately 26 days.
International Experience Canada work permits are taking approximately five weeks.
Electronic Travel Authorization approvals are generally issued within a few minutes for most applicants. However, applications requiring additional review may take up to 72 hours.
What Applicants Should Do
Applicants should avoid relying only on estimated processing times. Every immigration file is different, and delays can occur where IRCC requests additional documents, biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates, background checks, or clarification of information.
To reduce the risk of delay:
- Submit complete and accurate documents at the time of application.
- Check your IRCC account and email regularly.
- Respond quickly to requests for additional information.
- Keep passports, biometrics, police certificates, and medical examinations current where required.
- Apply well before planned travel, school start dates, work start dates, or expiry of temporary status.
- Use the IRCC web form when your application has passed the published processing time.
Final Thoughts
The June 2026 IRCC processing update shows meaningful progress in inland work permits, super visas, visitor visas for India, Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Atlantic Immigration Program.
However, applicants in citizenship certificate, family sponsorship, humanitarian, visitor record extension, Start-Up Visa, and federal self-employed categories should expect longer wait times.
Canadian immigration processing times can change weekly or monthly depending on application volume, staffing levels, security screening requirements, and internal IRCC priorities. Applicants should monitor official IRCC updates regularly and ensure that their applications remain complete and up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did IRCC Not Update the Number of People Waiting in Some Categories?
IRCC does not always update queue figures for every category during each reporting cycle. Processing time estimates may still be updated even when the number of pending applications remains based on previously released figures.
Does IRCC Process Applications in the Order They Are Received?
IRCC generally processes applications in the order they are received. However, complete applications may move faster, while files requiring background checks, medical reviews, security screening, or additional documents may take longer.
Can I Request That My Application Be Moved to Another IRCC Office?
Applicants generally cannot request a direct transfer to another IRCC office. IRCC assigns files internally based on workload, application type, country of residence, and operational requirements.
Do Processing Times Include Mailing Time?
Published IRCC processing times usually measure the period from receipt of the application to the final decision. They may not include mailing time for passports, visa counterfoils, confirmation of permanent residence documents, or other physical correspondence.
Can a New Immigration Policy Affect My Pending Application?
In many cases, applications are assessed under the rules in place when they were submitted. However, certain legislative, admissibility, security, or program-related changes may affect pending applications. IRCC normally communicates significant changes through applicant portals, email, or official notices.
Last modified: June 28, 2026
