For many applicants in 2026, the Canadian immigration process takes about two months for a Study Permit, around six months for a federal Skilled Worker application through Express Entry, and approximately one year for Family Sponsorship. The above-mentioned processing times are estimated on the basis of average application processing times and should not be considered exact deadlines.
There are different processing times for every program due to the fact that each program has a unique process. Learning about the difference between Express Entry and PNP will help you understand the reason behind that.
If you are wondering what the Provincial Nominee Program is, it is a group of immigration programs that allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet regional economic and labour market needs.
The comparison below uses the latest processing information published by IRCC to provide a practical overview of the main immigration programs. The majority of immigration lawyers in Montreal employ these official standards as the basis of discussion regarding realistic timeframes with potential clients.
Program
Approximate processing time
Processing-time range/context
Data source
Study Permit
~2 months
Varies by application and location
IRCC
Skilled Worker / Express Entry
~6 months
Varies by program and application
IRCC
Family Sponsorship
~12 months*
Varies by category and destination
IRCC
*Processing times vary according to the applicant’s country of residence, application completeness, security screening, medical examinations, and IRCC workload.
Methodology
The processing times presented above are based on the most recent official information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2026. Official government figures have been used as the reference point. Individual applications may be completed faster or slower depending on their circumstances, supporting documentation, and the visa office responsible for processing the file.
What Affects Processing Times?
Two applicants can submit similar immigration applications on the same day and still receive decisions weeks or even months apart. Processing times published by IRCC are averages rather than guarantees because every file moves through several verification stages. While applicants cannot influence government workload, they can avoid many of the delays that commonly affect immigration cases.
The factors below have the greatest impact on processing times.
Application completeness
Incomplete application forms and failure to provide all necessary documents may cause significant delays. IRCC may pause processing until the required information is received. Engaging a competent immigration lawyer will assist in compiling the necessary information for your application and ensuring it does not fall through due to delays.
Seasonal application volumes
The processing period changes throughout the year depending on the number of applications, which should be considered at a particular moment in time. Normally, demand increases before the start of a new study intake season and following the announcement of immigration policies.
Policy and program updates
Modifications of the rules, conditions of eligibility, and nominations can change the processing times. This is why questions like Express Entry vs. PNP: which is faster do not have a clear answer.
Applicants also frequently ask: What is a CRS score for Express Entry? This is the point-based system that is used to rank the candidates for Express Entry. Having a high CRS score could help one get an Invitation to Apply, but it does not necessarily reduce the processing time by IRCC after the submission of the permanent residence application.
When it comes to candidates with special circumstances, past refusals, or complicated supporting documents, it could be beneficial to speak to a lawyer in Montreal, Canada.
FAQ
No. The processing times provided are just estimates based on the existing statistics for processing times.
No. Hiring a lawyer will not speed up your process, but they can assist in avoiding any delays by dealing with missing documents and errors.
Citizens of Canada and permanent residents can sponsor eligible relatives such as their spouse, common-law partner, dependent children and, in some cases, their parents and grandparents.
For many applicants in 2026, the Canadian immigration process takes about two months for a Study Permit, around six months for a federal Skilled Worker application through Express Entry, and approximately one year for Family Sponsorship. The above-mentioned processing times are estimated on the basis of average application processing times and should not be considered exact deadlines.
There are different processing times for every program due to the fact that each program has a unique process. Learning about the difference between Express Entry and PNP will help you understand the reason behind that.
If you are wondering what the Provincial Nominee Program is, it is a group of immigration programs that allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet regional economic and labour market needs.
The comparison below uses the latest processing information published by IRCC to provide a practical overview of the main immigration programs. The majority of immigration lawyers in Montreal employ these official standards as the basis of discussion regarding realistic timeframes with potential clients.
*Processing times vary according to the applicant’s country of residence, application completeness, security screening, medical examinations, and IRCC workload.
Methodology
The processing times presented above are based on the most recent official information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2026. Official government figures have been used as the reference point. Individual applications may be completed faster or slower depending on their circumstances, supporting documentation, and the visa office responsible for processing the file.
What Affects Processing Times?
Two applicants can submit similar immigration applications on the same day and still receive decisions weeks or even months apart. Processing times published by IRCC are averages rather than guarantees because every file moves through several verification stages. While applicants cannot influence government workload, they can avoid many of the delays that commonly affect immigration cases.
The factors below have the greatest impact on processing times.
Incomplete application forms and failure to provide all necessary documents may cause significant delays. IRCC may pause processing until the required information is received. Engaging a competent immigration lawyer will assist in compiling the necessary information for your application and ensuring it does not fall through due to delays.
The processing period changes throughout the year depending on the number of applications, which should be considered at a particular moment in time. Normally, demand increases before the start of a new study intake season and following the announcement of immigration policies.
Modifications of the rules, conditions of eligibility, and nominations can change the processing times. This is why questions like Express Entry vs. PNP: which is faster do not have a clear answer.
Applicants also frequently ask: What is a CRS score for Express Entry? This is the point-based system that is used to rank the candidates for Express Entry. Having a high CRS score could help one get an Invitation to Apply, but it does not necessarily reduce the processing time by IRCC after the submission of the permanent residence application.
When it comes to candidates with special circumstances, past refusals, or complicated supporting documents, it could be beneficial to speak to a lawyer in Montreal, Canada.
FAQ
No. The processing times provided are just estimates based on the existing statistics for processing times.
No. Hiring a lawyer will not speed up your process, but they can assist in avoiding any delays by dealing with missing documents and errors.
Citizens of Canada and permanent residents can sponsor eligible relatives such as their spouse, common-law partner, dependent children and, in some cases, their parents and grandparents.
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