If you’re navigating the world of Canadian immigration, you’ll want to hear about the latest changes from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As of April 1, 2025, IRCC has rolled out updated processing times for visas, permanent residency (PR), and citizenship applications, signaling faster timelines for many applicants. These adjustments could have a significant impact on your immigration journey, whether you’re applying for a visa, renewing your PR card, or pursuing citizenship.
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Let’s dive into the details of these new processing times, what they mean for your plans, and how they compare to previous updates.
New IRCC Processing Times – What’s Changed?
For over four years, Immigration News Canada (INC) has kept track of IRCC’s ever-evolving processing times. Thanks to real-time data updates since 2022, the agency’s new tools now provide more accurate estimates for applicants. The new processing times are refreshed monthly for citizenship, permanent residency, and family sponsorships, while PR card renewals and temporary visas are updated weekly.
These estimates are based on the processing of 80% of cases, considering application surges and IRCC’s capacity to handle them. However, keep in mind that these are only estimates, not guarantees – your individual wait time might vary.
Key Takeaways:
- IRCC now offers monthly updates for citizenship, PR, and family sponsorships, and weekly updates for temporary resident visas and PR card renewals.
- Processing times reflect real-time data, providing a more reliable estimate.
- The update focuses on a variety of application types, including family reunification, work permits, student visas, and more.
Breakdown of April 2025 IRCC Processing Times
1. Citizenship and PR Cards
One of the most notable updates is the faster processing for citizenship applications and PR card renewals. Here’s a look at how the current timelines compare to those from March 2025:
| Application Type | Current Time (April 2025) | Previous Time (March 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Grant | 8 months | 9 months | Reduces by 1 month |
| Citizenship Certificate | 3 months | 4 months | Reduces by 1 month |
| PR Card Renewal | 11 days | 14 days | Reduces by 3 days |
Interestingly, citizenship renunciation and search of citizenship records also saw improvements, reducing by 1 and 2 months, respectively. However, the PR card renewal process now takes just 11 days, down from 14, making it a great improvement for those seeking to renew their cards.
2. Family Sponsorships
There were fewer changes in family sponsorship processing times, but it’s important to note that the timeline for Parents/Grandparents PR applications in Quebec has seen an uptick. Here’s the updated breakdown:
| Application Type | Current Time (April 2025) | Previous Time (March 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Common-Law (Outside Canada, Non-Quebec) | 11 months | 11 months | No Change |
| Spouse/Common-Law (Inside Canada, Quebec) | 36 months | 35 months | Increases by 1 month |
| Parents/Grandparents PR (Quebec) | 48 months | 48 months | No Change |
If you’re applying under the Spouse/Common-Law category from inside Quebec, expect an additional month’s wait compared to last month.
3. Permanent Residency (PR) Applications
The PR process continues to see varying updates across different programs. For example:
| Application Type | Current Time (April 2025) | Previous Time (March 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 5 months | 5 months | No Change |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 6 months | 5 months | Increases by 1 month |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 6 months | 7 months | Reduces by 1 month |
Applications under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) now take slightly longer, while Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry has reduced by 1 month, making it a faster option for many.
4. Temporary Resident Visas (Visitor & Work Permits)
IRCC has also reduced the processing times for several Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs). Here are some highlights:
| Country | Current Time (April 2025) | Previous Time (March 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (Visitor Visa) | 28 days | 61 days | Reduces by 33 days |
| United States (Visitor Visa) | 16 days | 19 days | Reduces by 3 days |
| Philippines (Work Permit) | 5 weeks | 5 weeks | No Change |
Indian applicants for Visitor Visas will experience a significantly faster processing time, dropping from 61 days to just 28 days. Similarly, Work Permits for Philippine nationals remain steady at 5 weeks.
Canadian Passport Processing Times
For those looking to get their hands on a Canadian passport, the processing times have remained consistent across different application methods:
| Application Type | Current Time (April 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| In-Canada New Passport (In-Person) | 10 business days | No Change |
| In-Canada New Passport (Mail) | 20 business days | No Change |
In-Canada applicants for urgent or express passport services will also see no change, maintaining a solid and predictable timeline.
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Why These Updates Matter
For anyone navigating the Canadian immigration process, these updated processing times are a game-changer. Whether you’re applying for citizenship, planning a family sponsorship, or working through the PR process, knowing exactly where you stand in the queue is crucial.
IRCC’s new approach to real-time updates allows applicants to stay ahead of the curve. Keep in mind that while these processing times are estimates, they’re still based on solid data and reflect current processing capacity.
Stay Updated
Immigration News Canada will continue to track these updates and keep you informed of any changes. To stay on top of the latest news and updates for Canadian immigration, be sure to bookmark this page or subscribe to our newsletter.
Planning your move to Canada? This update is your essential guide for understanding the latest IRCC timelines for all visa and immigration-related applications in 2025.