IRCC Processing Times Just Got Better for Many Countries — April 30, 2026
Canada's immigration department updated processing times on April 29, 2026. Work permit applicants from Pakistan now wait just 8 weeks — down from 16. Nigeria dropped from 13 to 7 weeks. Study permits improved too. Visitor visas, however, got slightly slower across the board.
Key Facts
- Work permits — biggest winner: Pakistan-based applicants saw the largest improvement — an 8-week drop from 16 weeks to 8 weeks. Nigeria fell from 13 weeks to 7 weeks.
- Study permits improved: Pakistan dropped 3 weeks (12 → 9 weeks), Nigeria dropped 2 weeks (7 → 5 weeks). India and the US moved in the opposite direction — slightly longer.
- Visitor visas got slightly slower: All countries saw a 1–5 day increase. Pakistan is now at 48 days. India at 27 days. The government's service standard is 14 days — most countries remain well above it.
- Super visas improved across the board: US-based super visa applicants saw the largest drop — from 164 days to 115 days, a 7-week improvement.
- In-Canada work permit target: IRCC's own service standard is 120 days for in-Canada submissions. Current time is 217 days — nearly double the target.
- Processing times ≠ service standards: IRCC's service standards haven't been updated since 2018–2019. Processing times are updated weekly and reflect actual current wait times.
Work Permit Processing Times — April 15 vs April 29, 2026
| Applying From | April 29 (Current) | April 15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (in-country) | 217 days | 240 days | ↓ 23 days better |
| India | 9 weeks | 8 weeks | ↑ 1 week slower |
| Pakistan | 8 weeks | 16 weeks | ↓ 8 weeks better |
| Nigeria | 7 weeks | 13 weeks | ↓ 6 weeks better |
| United States | 6 weeks | 7 weeks | ↓ 1 week better |
| Philippines | 7 weeks | 7 weeks | → No change |
Study Permit Processing Times — April 15 vs April 29, 2026
| Applying From | April 29 (Current) | April 15 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (in-country) | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | → No change |
| India | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | ↑ 1 week slower |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | 12 weeks | ↓ 3 weeks better |
| Nigeria | 5 weeks | 7 weeks | ↓ 2 weeks better |
| United States | 6 weeks | 4 weeks | ↑ 2 weeks slower |
| Philippines | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | ↓ 1 week better |
What This Means For You
If you are waiting on a work permit from Pakistan or Nigeria: This is encouraging news — your application may move faster than expected. That said, processing times change weekly, so do not make job start dates or travel bookings based solely on these estimates. Always check the IRCC online tool with your specific application details. If your application is past the service standard deadline, you can submit a webform to IRCC to follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IRCC processing times and service standards?
Processing times are weekly estimates of how long current applications are actually taking — based on real data. Service standards are internal targets IRCC set in 2018–2019 and rarely updates. If your application exceeds the processing time estimate, that is a signal to follow up with IRCC via their webform.
My work permit application is taking longer than the current estimate — what should I do?
First, verify your application is complete and no documents are outstanding by checking your IRCC online account. If everything looks correct and the processing time has passed, submit a webform through the IRCC website to request an update. You can also contact a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC) for help with complex cases.
Why did visitor visa processing times go up when other categories improved?
Visitor visa volumes are extremely high and fluctuate quickly based on seasonal travel demand. The current increases of 1–5 days are modest. The 14-day service standard remains the target, but IRCC consistently processes visitor visas from most countries in significantly more time than that benchmark.
Is your application past the estimated processing time? SettleFast can connect you with a regulated immigration consultant who can review your case and follow up with IRCC on your behalf.
Source: CIC News — April 30, 2026 · Rewritten in SettleFast voice.