The latest IRCC processing times February 2026 update has been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, showing important shifts across citizenship, permanent residency, family sponsorship, work permits, study permits, and visitor visas.
These new figures reflect real timelines experienced by 80 percent of applicants rather than internal targets. This method offers a more realistic view of how long applications are actually taking in 2026.
If you are planning to apply for Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, a study permit, or a work permit, this detailed guide explains everything you need to know about current IRCC processing times, backlogs, and trends.
IRCC now publishes estimates based on how long it took to process 80 percent of finalized applications in each category. This replaced the older service standard model that often underestimated real waiting periods.
Key factors that affect processing times include:
Permanent residence and citizenship categories are updated monthly. Temporary resident applications such as visitor visas, study permits, and work permits are updated weekly.
Land more interviews with a pro resume, start building for free! https://www.hirecade.com/resume-builder
Citizenship applications saw noticeable increases this month.
Citizenship grant applications now take approximately 14 months, up one month from January 2026. The backlog has grown to around 313,000 applicants, an increase of 7,600 people.
IRCC is currently issuing acknowledgments of receipt for citizenship applications submitted around October 8, 2025.
| Application Type | People Waiting (Change) | Processing Time (Feb 12, 2026) | Change Since January |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship grant | ~313,000 (+7,600) | 14 months | +1 month |
| Citizenship certificate | ~47,900 (+5,500) | 11 months | +1 month |
| Resumption of citizenship | Not available | Not available | No change |
| Renunciation of citizenship | Not available | 18 months | +7 months |
| Search of citizenship records | Not available | 16 months | +3 months |
Applicants outside Canada or the United States may experience longer timelines.
February often sees a surge in submissions after the holiday slowdown. Many applicants who delayed filing in December and January complete their paperwork in late winter, which contributes to queue growth.
Permanent Resident card processing remains one of the more stable and efficient areas of IRCC operations.
| Application Type | Processing Time (Feb 24, 2026) | Change Since Last Week | Change Since Jan 21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New PR card | 61 days | -1 day | -1 day |
| PR card renewal | 29 days | -1 day | -2 days |
Processing is moving gradually faster, especially for renewals.
Family sponsorship results are mixed this month.
Spousal sponsorship outside Canada in non Quebec provinces now takes 15 months, one month longer than January. The queue has grown to about 47,300 applicants.
Quebec continues to experience significantly longer timelines due to its separate selection system.
| Category | People Waiting (Change) | Processing Time | Change Since January |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse outside Canada non Quebec | ~47,300 (+1,600) | 15 months | +1 month |
| Spouse outside Canada Quebec | ~19,100 (-200) | 35 months | No change |
| Spouse inside Canada non Quebec | ~52,600 (+500) | 21 months | No change |
| Spouse inside Canada Quebec | ~12,100 (+100) | 35 months | -1 month |
| Parents and grandparents non Quebec | ~48,300 (-2,000) | 35 months | -2 months |
| Parents and grandparents Quebec | ~12,000 (-400) | 47 months | -1 month |
Under the Canada Quebec Accord, Quebec conducts its own immigration selection process. Applications require provincial approval before federal finalization, adding a second review layer that increases timelines.
Humanitarian and compassionate applications remain the slowest category in Canada’s immigration system.
Both inside and outside Quebec, H and C applications show processing times of more than 10 years.
| Category | People Waiting | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| H and C outside Quebec | ~49,800 (+900) | More than 10 years | No change |
| H and C Quebec | ~18,100 (+300) | More than 10 years | No change |
| Protected persons outside Quebec | ~99,500 (+3,600) | About 17 months | No change |
| Protected persons Quebec | ~37,000 (+700) | About 112 months | +2 months |
| Dependents outside Quebec | ~55,400 (+1,300) | About 37 months | No change |
| Dependents Quebec | ~20,800 (+400) | About 119 months | +1 month |
Applicants in these streams should consider alternative pathways where possible.
Canadian passport services remain stable across all categories.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| New passport in person | 10 business days | No change |
| New passport by mail | 20 business days | No change |
| Urgent pickup | Next business day | No change |
| Express pickup | 2 to 9 business days | No change |
| Outside Canada | 20 business days | No change |
Passport services remain predictable compared to immigration streams.
Economic immigration programs show growing queues but mostly stable timelines.
The Canadian Experience Class increased to seven months. The backlog grew significantly.
| Program | People Waiting (Change) | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | ~34,200 (+8,800) | 7 months | +1 month |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | ~43,000 (+8,400) | 7 months | No change |
| PNP Express Entry | ~12,400 (+1,600) | 7 months | No change |
| Non Express Entry PNP | ~108,300 (+5,700) | 13 months | -3 months |
| Quebec Skilled Worker | ~26,400 (-300) | 11 months | No change |
| Quebec Business Class | ~3,900 (-100) | 80 months | +1 month |
| Federal Self Employed | ~8,100 (-100) | More than 10 years | No change |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | ~13,700 (+100) | 33 months | No change |
| Start Up Visa | ~45,600 (+400) | More than 10 years | No change |
Temporary visa timelines vary by country and are updated weekly.
| Country | Processing Time | Change Since Last Week |
|---|---|---|
| India | 71 days | -7 days |
| United States | 23 days | -2 days |
| Nigeria | 56 days | -1 day |
| Pakistan | 53 days | -3 days |
| Philippines | 18 days | -1 day |
Visitor visa inside Canada takes 19 days. Visitor record extensions now take 218 days.
| Country | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| India | 210 days |
| United States | 205 days |
| Nigeria | 47 days |
| Pakistan | 136 days |
| Philippines | 100 days |
Indian and American applicants face the longest super visa delays.
| Country | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| India | 4 weeks |
| United States | 6 weeks |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks |
| Pakistan | 15 weeks |
| Philippines | 5 weeks |
Study permit extensions take 89 days. Applications inside Canada take 9 weeks.
| Country | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| India | 8 weeks |
| United States | 10 weeks |
| Nigeria | 11 weeks |
| Pakistan | 30 weeks |
| Philippines | 7 weeks |
Work permit extensions inside Canada now take 256 days.
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program processes in 8 days. International Experience Canada applications take 2 weeks.
Electronic Travel Authorization applications are typically approved within minutes, though additional screening can take up to 72 hours.
Several important patterns emerge from this update:
February typically brings higher submission volumes after the holiday season. This seasonal effect contributes to temporary queue increases.
No. Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Around 20 percent of applications exceed the posted timeframe.
Delays can result from:
There is no general expedited option. However, you can reduce delays by:
In urgent humanitarian cases, applicants may submit a web form request explaining the situation.
The February 2026 update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada highlights a system adjusting to rising demand.
While passport and PR card services remain stable, citizenship and economic immigration backlogs are growing. At the same time, parents and grandparents sponsorship and some provincial programs are showing modest improvement.
Applicants should monitor weekly and monthly updates, submit accurate applications, and plan realistically based on current wait times.
For the most current IRCC processing times in 2026, check official updates regularly and ensure your immigration strategy aligns with evolving timelines.
Staying informed is the best way to navigate Canada’s immigration system successfully.
