August 12, 2026
Canada has updated its immigration processing-time estimates for several permanent residence (PR) and citizenship applications. The latest figures, updated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on August 10, 2026, show mixed changes across different immigration programs.
For many applicants, the update brings encouraging news. Processing time for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry has decreased from seven months to six months, while the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has also seen a reduction in estimated processing time.
However, not every category has improved. The processing time for non-Express Entry, or base, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications increased from 12 to 13 months. Several other programs, including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Quebec immigration programs and spousal sponsorship, have remained unchanged.
IRCC regularly updates its processing-time tool to help applicants understand how long their applications may take. However, these estimates are not guaranteed deadlines, and actual processing can vary depending on the individual application.
Express Entry remains one of Canada’s major pathways for skilled workers seeking permanent residence. It manages applications under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
According to the latest August 10 update, CEC applicants continue to have an estimated processing time of six months. The FSWP processing time, meanwhile, has improved from seven months in July to six months in August.
| Express Entry Program | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 months | 6 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 6 months | 7 months |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | Not available | Not available |
IRCC does not currently publish a processing-time estimate for the Federal Skilled Trades Program because there is not enough data to provide a reliable figure.
The service standard for Express Entry applications is six months.
The number of applications waiting for assessment has also declined for CEC and FSWP:
The reduction in the FSWP processing estimate is particularly relevant for skilled workers outside Canada who are considering Express Entry. However, applicants should remember that processing time is separate from the time required to become eligible, enter the Express Entry pool and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
IRCC uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank Express Entry candidates, and the minimum CRS score can change from one invitation round to another.
The latest update presents a mixed picture for Provincial Nominee Program applicants.
Applicants nominated through an Express Entry-linked, or enhanced, PNP continue to face an estimated processing time of seven months. However, the processing time for non-Express Entry, or base, PNP applications increased by one month.
| PNP Category | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Express Entry-linked PNP | 7 months | 7 months |
| Non-Express Entry PNP | 13 months | 12 months |
The service standard is six months for enhanced PNP applications and 11 months for base PNP applications.
Despite the longer estimate for base PNP applications, IRCC reduced the number of applications in its inventory:
This shows why a reduction in the application inventory does not necessarily result in an immediate reduction in the published processing time. IRCC’s estimates also consider factors such as the number of applications being processed and available processing capacity.
Applicants planning to settle in Quebec continue to face significantly different processing timelines depending on their immigration program.
The estimated processing time for Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) remains at 11 months. The Quebec Business Class (QBC) estimate also remains extremely long at 75 months.
| Quebec Immigration Program | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) | 11 months | 11 months |
| Quebec Business Class (QBC) | 75 months | 75 months |
The service standard for PSTQ applications is six months, while no published service standard is available for Quebec Business Class applications.
IRCC’s inventory figures show:
Although the PSTQ inventory has decreased, the published processing estimate has not changed. This highlights the fact that processing-time estimates do not necessarily move in direct proportion to the number of applications waiting in the queue.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) continues to have a lengthy processing time.
As of August 10, the estimated processing time remained 26 months, unchanged from July.
| Program | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 26 months | 26 months |
The official service standard for the AIP is 11 months.
IRCC’s AIP inventory stood at approximately 12,100 applications, which represents a reduction of 200 applications compared with the previous update.
Despite this reduction, the estimated processing time has not yet improved.
Some of Canada’s economic immigration programs continue to experience exceptionally long processing times.
Both the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program and the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program currently have estimated processing times of more than 10 years.
| Program | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Start-Up Visa | 10+ years | 10+ years |
| Federal Self-Employed Persons Program | 10+ years | 10+ years |
The Start-Up Visa inventory increased slightly to approximately 47,600 applications, while the Self-Employed Persons Program inventory remained around 8,000 applications.
These timelines make these programs considerably different from faster economic immigration pathways such as Express Entry.
Canada’s family sponsorship programs also saw limited movement in the latest update.
For applicants sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner outside Quebec, the estimated processing time remains 17 months. For applicants sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner from inside Canada, the estimate remains 27 months.
The biggest improvement among the family sponsorship categories was for the Parents and Grandparents Program.
| Application Type | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Spouse/Common-law partner inside Canada | 27 months | 27 months |
| Spouse/Common-law partner outside Canada | 17 months | 17 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program | 29 months | 30 months |
The PGP estimate has therefore improved by one month.
IRCC’s inventory figures include:
Processing times are considerably longer for some family sponsorship applicants intending to settle in Quebec.
| Application Type | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Spouse/Common-law partner inside Canada | 32 months | 32 months |
| Spouse/Common-law partner outside Canada | 33 months | 33 months |
| Parents and Grandparents Program | 64 months | 65 months |
The PGP estimate for applicants settling in Quebec improved from 65 months to 64 months.
The inventory figures were:
The latest update shows that most citizenship processing estimates have remained stable.
A citizenship grant continues to have an estimated processing time of 12 months, which is also IRCC’s service standard for this category.
The biggest improvement was recorded for applications to renounce Canadian citizenship.
| Citizenship Application | August 10, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Citizenship grant | 12 months | 12 months |
| Renunciation of citizenship | 4 months | 7 months |
| Search of citizenship records | 17 months | 17 months |
The estimated processing time for citizenship renunciation decreased by three months, from seven months to four months.
As of August 10, IRCC had approximately 328,200 citizenship grant applications in its inventory, an increase of about 2,000 applications compared with the July update.
Applicants can also use IRCC’s application status tools to monitor their applications and receive updates.
It is important for applicants to understand that a processing time is an estimate, not a guarantee.
IRCC explains that processing times can depend on several factors, including the number of applications in its inventory, available processing capacity and the complexity of an individual application. An incomplete application or a request for additional documents can also affect how long a case takes.
IRCC uses different approaches to calculate processing estimates. Historical estimates can be based on how long it took to finalize around 80% of applications of a particular type, while forward-looking estimates can consider the current inventory and projected processing capacity.
This means two applicants applying under the same immigration program may not necessarily receive decisions at exactly the same time.
Processing times and service standards are related but are not the same thing.
Processing time is an estimate of how long an application may take to be finalized. It can change as IRCC receives new applications, processes existing files and adjusts its capacity.
A service standard, on the other hand, is a target that IRCC aims to meet for certain types of applications under normal circumstances.
Therefore, an applicant should not treat a published processing time as a guaranteed deadline for receiving a decision.
IRCC’s official processing-time tool is updated regularly and should be checked for the latest estimate before making decisions based on an immigration timeline.
The August 2026 update provides a mixed outlook for applicants.
Express Entry candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program have seen an improvement from seven to six months, bringing the estimate in line with the Canadian Experience Class. The Parents and Grandparents Program has also improved slightly for applicants both outside and within Quebec.
At the same time, base PNP processing increased to 13 months, while the Atlantic Immigration Program remains at 26 months. Quebec Business Class and some other programs continue to have exceptionally long estimated timelines.
For prospective immigrants, processing time should therefore be considered alongside eligibility requirements, CRS scores, provincial nomination opportunities, document preparation and the specific immigration pathway being pursued.
Applicants should also avoid making travel, employment or financial decisions solely on the basis of a published processing estimate.
Canada’s latest processing-time update shows that immigration timelines continue to vary significantly between programs. While some applicants are seeing shorter waits, others continue to face lengthy queues.
For Express Entry candidates, the reduction in the FSWP estimate to six months is a positive development. Family sponsorship applicants under the Parents and Grandparents Program have also seen modest improvements. However, applicants under base PNP, AIP, Quebec Business Class, Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons programs should be prepared for substantially longer processing periods.
IRCC’s processing-time estimates can change from month to month, so applicants should regularly check the official processing-time tool for the latest information.
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, understanding the current processing timeline is only one part of the process. Your eligibility, immigration program, CRS score, work experience, education, language ability and documentation can all affect your pathway to permanent residence.
Oasis Visas can help prospective applicants understand their Canadian immigration options and identify suitable pathways based on their individual profile.
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