IRCC processing times: what to expect and what slows an application down
IRCC publishes processing times for every application type, and they change weekly. We check them on the day we plan your file, so your travel, job start or permit expiry is timed around reality, not hope.
Processing times by application type
What drives the timeline for each service we offer.
| Application | What affects the time | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa (TRV) | Country of residence, biometrics appointment, visa office workload | Visitor visa |
| Super Visa | Country, medical exam results, insurance documents | Super Visa |
| Study permit | Country, PAL, intake season peaks | Study permit |
| Work permit | Inside or outside Canada, LMIA or exempt, medicals | Work permits |
| Spousal sponsorship | Inland or outland, visa office, relationship evidence quality | Spousal sponsorship |
| Express Entry PR | Completeness after ITA, background checks; service standard about six months | Express Entry |
| Provincial nomination | Provincial stage plus federal stage; base streams take longer | PNP |
| PR card | Renewal or new card, residency questions, urgent processing requests | PR card |
| Citizenship | Test and oath scheduling, residence questionnaires | Citizenship |
What delays an application
- Missing documents, unsigned forms or unpaid fees
- Requests for more information that sit unanswered
- Late biometrics or medical exams
- Inconsistent dates, names or addresses between forms
- Security or criminality checks, which IRCC doesn't explain
- Unreported changes: new address, marriage, birth, new job
What Star Immigration can and can't do
No one can make IRCC decide faster. What we control is everything that causes avoidable delay: a complete file, consistent forms, quick answers to IRCC requests, and well-timed extensions so you keep maintained status while you wait.
For PR cards and some other applications, IRCC accepts urgent processing requests with proof. We prepare those when they apply.
Plan your timeline with a licensed consultant
Book a consultation and we'll check current processing times for your application type.