Work permit wait times are on the rise, latest IRCC data shows
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated its processing time estimates on May 26, revealing increases across several work permit streams and modest shifts in other temporary residence categories. Nigeria-based work permit applications now face a four-week jump to 16 weeks, while India saw a one-week increase to 10 weeks, as reported by CIC News.
The changes mark a reversal from recent trends, with work permit timelines climbing in key source countries even as in-Canada applications saw a modest five-day improvement to 201 days. Both figures remain well above IRCC's service standard of 120 days for in-Canada work permit extensions and 60 days for applications submitted from outside Canada. The May 26 update follows the previous refresh on May 20, giving applicants a week-over-week snapshot of how processing capacity is shifting.
For work permits, Nigeria experienced the sharpest deterioration, jumping from 12 weeks to 16 weeks. India climbed from nine weeks to 10, while Pakistan, the United States, and the Philippines held steady at six weeks, five weeks, and eight weeks respectively. In-Canada work permit applications dropped from 206 days to 201 days, though the timeline still exceeds the 120-day standard by more than two months. Study permit processing showed minimal movement, with the Philippines declining one week to four weeks and all other countries unchanged. Visitor visa timelines edged upward for most applicants: in-Canada submissions rose nine days to 25 days, while Pakistan saw a one-day decline to 49 days. Super visas improved across most streams, with U.S.-based applications dropping nine days to 106 days.
"Processing times are estimates, not guarantees," the department notes, explaining that actual timelines depend on application volumes, staffing capacity, and case complexity.
The increases affect several applicant groups disproportionately. Nigerian nationals applying for work permits now face a four-month wait, complicating employer-driven hiring timelines for companies relying on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Indian applicants, already navigating a competitive job market, see their wait extend to 10 weeks. In-Canada work permit holders seeking extensions remain in limbo for more than six months on average, a timeline that can disrupt employment continuity when permits expire before renewals arrive. Study permit applicants from the Philippines gained a week, but those from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the United States continue to wait four to seven weeks. Visitor visa applicants applying from within Canada now face a 25-day wait, up from 16 days a week earlier.
Applicants should check the IRCC processing times tool for their specific country and application type before submitting. Those with pending applications can monitor their status through the IRCC online account portal. If a work permit is nearing expiry and the extension remains in process, applicants may qualify for maintained status, allowing continued work while the decision is pending. For urgent cases, applicants can submit a web form explaining the circumstances, though IRCC does not guarantee expedited processing.
Source: CIC News — published 2026-05-28.