IRCC's New Tool for Immigration Applicants | Canada Immigration Updates

Forward-looking processing times are now available for several applications, including

• Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry),
• Provincial Nominees Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry),
• Federal Skilled Workers (Express Entry),
• Quebec Skilled Workers, citizenship grants,
• Citizenship certificates (proof of citizenship),
• Spouses or common-law partners living inside Canada, as well as those living outside Canada, and for parents or grandparents.

Forward-looking processing times estimate the waiting period for clients applying today before a final decision is made on their application (or before taking the oath of citizenship, for citizenship grant applicants).

These estimates will be updated monthly to provide clients with realistic and up-to-date information, enabling them to plan their travel and life arrangements based on an accurate timeline.

For other application types, backward-looking processing times will continue to be used. These are calculated based on IRCC's processing times for 80% of applications in the past 6 months for permanent residence programs, and 8 or 16 weeks for temporary residence programs.

For those who have already applied, the new forward-looking times may indicate estimates that are less than the time already spent waiting. This is because the tool reflects the expected waiting period for someone submitting a new application today, starting from the end of the queue.

However, applications will still be processed in the order received, and in most cases, applicants will not wait longer than the new forward-looking processing time for a final decision. Reapplying will only place the application at the end of the queue, resulting in longer processing times.