IRCC publishes service standards indicating expected processing times for temporary residence applications. However, these are estimates and actual times can vary based on application details and processing locations.
Service Standards Summary
Work Permits
- Outside Canada (excluding IEC): 60 days
- Extensions in Canada: 120 days
- International Experience Canada (IEC) applications: 56 days or less
Economic Assessments
LMIA or work permit exemptions: 14 days
Study Permits
- New applications from outside Canada: 60 days
- Applications within Canada (new and extensions): 120 days
Visitor Visas and eTAs
- Visitor visas from outside Canada: 14 days
- Super visas from outside Canada: 112 days
- eTAs: Immediate approval or further steps within 72 hours
2022/2023 Performance
- Work permits: 61% processed on time outside Canada; 30% for extensions in Canada.
- IEC work permits achieved 100% on-time processing.
- Study permits: 59% processed on time outside Canada; 84% for extensions.
- Visitor and super visas: 23% and 67% respectively met service standards.
- eTAs: 89% met the 5-minute standard; 76% within 72 hours.
Note
Actual processing times may exceed these estimates due to various factors, including application completeness and processing capacity. Service standards only apply to complete applications that include all required information and supporting documents. Also, processing time does not include the time it takes to send an application between a visa application centre and IRCC’s office, or the time it takes an applicant to submit biometrics.
