Canada Updates Visa and Permit Processing Times
Immigration department revises work permit, study permit and visitor visa wait estimates for several countries as of November 12, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Canada
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its processing time estimates for work permits, study permits, visitor visas and super visas as of November 12, 2026. Work permit waits rose by one week to 10 weeks for applicants from Pakistan and the Philippines, while study permit waits for applicants from Pakistan fell to four weeks.
Why it matters
The changes affect applicants from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nigeria and the US, and they shift how long people in Canada and abroad may wait before travelling, working or studying. Because the estimates are calculated from historical data and forward-looking assessments of inventory and resources, they can move again as application volumes change.
IRCC publishes these figures as processing time estimates rather than guarantees, and the department calculates historical times using the time taken to finalize 80% of previously processed applications. Current work permit service standards are 120 days for applications from within Canada and 60 days for applications from outside Canada.
The players
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
The federal department responsible for immigration, refugee protection and citizenship programs, which publishes the processing time estimates for temporary residence applications.
The details
Work permit processing for applicants from Pakistan and the Philippines increased by one week to 10 weeks, while Indian work permit processing remained at 10 weeks. Study permit processing for applicants applying from within Canada fell to six weeks, and the Philippine work permit estimate is at its highest level in more than five months.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: Previous IRCC processing time estimates were published for comparison.
November 12, 2026: IRCC updated its processing time estimates for temporary residence applications.
November 18, 2026: The next processing time update is anticipated.
Travel Outlook
IRCC calculates these estimates from the time taken to finalize 80% of previously processed applications, so the November 12, 2026 revisions reflect that established method. Waits for visitor visas and work permits can therefore shift quickly for specific countries even when the overall method stays the same.
Visitors from India should now plan for a 34-day wait for a visitor visa, while Pakistani applicants can expect 57 days for a visitor visa and 91 days for a super visa. Work permit applicants from Pakistan and the Philippines should allow about 10 weeks before a decision, and study permit applicants applying from within Canada should expect six weeks.
The takeaway
Applicants should check the current IRCC estimates for their country and application type before making travel, work or study commitments. Because these times change with inventory and resources, early planning gives the most room to adjust.
What happens next
IRCC is expected to publish its next processing time update around November 18, 2026, which may revise the current estimates for work permits, study permits and visitor visas.
Further reading
For broader context on entry requirements and planning, browse our Canada travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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