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- IRCC’s September 2, 2026 update shows lower wait times for several temporary residence applications, including work permits from Pakistan and study permits from India.
- Applicants in the United States are currently seeing estimated waits of 2 weeks for work permits, 5 weeks for study permits and 20 days for visitor visas.
- Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Complete applications, fast biometrics and prompt responses to IRCC requests can help avoid unnecessary delays.
What changed in IRCC’s latest processing-time update?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated its temporary residence estimates on September 2, 2026. The latest figures cover visitor visas, study permits, work permits and super visas.
The update was mixed rather than uniformly faster. Some applicants saw meaningful declines, while others faced longer waits. The largest improvements included a one-week drop for work permit applications from Pakistan, a two-week drop for study permit applications from India, and a 23-day drop for super visa applications from Pakistan.
There were also increases. Work permit wait times rose by two weeks for applicants in the Philippines and one week for applicants in India. Study permit applications submitted from inside Canada increased by one week.
IRCC’s temporary residence estimates can change weekly, so the number shown on September 2 may not be the number displayed when you submit an application. The next update was expected around September 9, 2026, but no later figure had been officially confirmed as of September 5.
Current processing times for applicants in Canada and the United States
For readers in Canada and the United States, these are the most useful figures from the September 2 update:
| Application type | Applying from Canada | Applying from the United States | Change from August 26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | 113 days | 2 weeks | Canada decreased by 2 days; U.S. unchanged |
| Study permit | 8 weeks | 5 weeks | Canada increased by 1 week; U.S. unchanged |
| Visitor visa | 11 days | 20 days | Canada decreased by 1 day; U.S. decreased by 1 day |
| Super visa | Not available because applications must be submitted from outside Canada | 116 days | U.S. decreased by 7 days |
“Applying from Canada” generally refers to an application submitted from inside Canada, such as a study permit extension, a work permit application or an in-Canada visitor visa application. It does not mean that every Canadian citizen or permanent resident needs one of these documents.
For applicants in the United States
Applicants submitting from the United States currently have some of the shorter estimates listed by IRCC: approximately 2 weeks for a work permit, 5 weeks for a study permit and 20 days for a visitor visa.
These estimates apply to the application type and location selected in IRCC’s processing-time tool. They are not a promise that every application will be finalized within that period. A medical exam, additional security screening, missing documents or a request for an interview can extend the timeline.
For applicants already in Canada
In-Canada work permit applications were estimated at 113 days, or just over three and a half months. That was a small improvement from the previous estimate of 115 days, but it remains close to IRCC’s 120-day service standard for in-Canada initial applications and extensions.
Study permit applications from inside Canada were estimated at 8 weeks, up from 7 weeks. Visitor visa applications submitted in Canada were estimated at 11 days. IRCC does not list a service standard for in-Canada visitor visa applications.
Other notable country-specific changes
The latest update shows why applicants should avoid relying on a general “Canada visa processing time.” IRCC’s estimate can vary substantially depending on where the application is submitted.
| Application type | Country | September 2 estimate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | India | 10 weeks | Increased by 1 week |
| Work permit | Pakistan | 7 weeks | Decreased by 1 week |
| Work permit | Philippines | 7 weeks | Increased by 2 weeks |
| Study permit | India | 5 weeks | Decreased by 2 weeks |
| Study permit | Pakistan | 7 weeks | Unchanged |
| Study permit | Philippines | 4 weeks | Unchanged |
| Visitor visa | India | 31 days | Decreased by 1 day |
| Visitor visa | Pakistan | 78 days | Increased by 1 day |
| Visitor visa | Philippines | 18 days | Decreased by 2 days |
Super visa estimates also moved in several locations. The September 2 figures were 66 days for India, 139 days for Pakistan, 52 days for Nigeria, 116 days for the United States and 93 days for the Philippines. Pakistan and the Philippines saw the biggest reductions in that group.
How IRCC calculates temporary residence processing times
IRCC’s processing-time tool is designed to give applicants a realistic estimate, but the figure is not a deadline or maximum. Depending on the application category, IRCC uses either historical data or a forward-looking estimate based on inventory, processing capacity and expected application volume.
Temporary residence estimates generally reflect the time needed to process a complete application. The timeline can include biometrics, but applicants still need to allow time to book an appointment and provide fingerprints and a photo when required.
Processing can take longer when an application is incomplete, the information is difficult to verify, additional documents are requested, background checks are needed or the case is considered complex. Calling IRCC does not speed up an application.
What applicants should do now
- Use the official processing-time tool for your exact application. Select visitor visa, study permit, work permit or super visa, then choose the country or location where you are applying.
- Submit a complete application. Check that forms are current, fees are paid and supporting documents are readable and consistent.
- Give biometrics quickly if IRCC requests them. Delaying a biometrics appointment can add time beyond the published estimate.
- Monitor your IRCC account and email. Respond to document requests, medical instructions or interview notices by the deadline provided.
- Do not book non-refundable travel based only on the estimate. IRCC says processing times are not guarantees, and approval is separate from the time needed to receive a passport or travel document.
If your application has already exceeded the normal processing time, check the application status in your IRCC secure account first. You can use the IRCC web form for important updates or certain application-specific questions, but agents generally cannot provide a more precise completion date than the information already available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are IRCC processing times guaranteed?
A. No. IRCC describes them as estimates, not deadlines or maximums. An application can take longer if it is incomplete, requires additional checks or involves a request for documents, an interview or a medical exam.
Q. Does the processing time include biometrics?
A. IRCC’s estimate can include the time needed to provide biometrics, but applicants must still schedule and attend the biometrics appointment. Waiting to complete biometrics can delay the overall application.
Q. Can I apply for a Canadian super visa from inside Canada?
A. No. Super visa applications must be submitted from outside Canada. The September 2 estimate for applicants in the United States was 116 days.
Q. What should I do if my application is past the published processing time?
A. Check your IRCC secure account and confirm that no message or document request was missed. If the application is beyond the normal processing time, use the IRCC web form when appropriate. Contacting IRCC does not guarantee faster processing.
