Wait times plateau for permanent residence and citizenship applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Oct. 9 processing times update shows that timelines for permanent residence (PR) and citizenship applications have held steady over the past month.

Applicants in Canada awaiting decisions on their PR applications may be eligible to apply for Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs).

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A BOWP applicant who remains in Canada can benefit from maintained status, which authorizes them to work under the conditions of their existing work permit until a decision is made on their application for the BOWP.

*IRCC does not publish processing times for FSTP applications, citing “not enough data.”

IRCC service standard: Six months across all Express Entry programs.

Applications in inventory awaiting assessment:

Service standard: Six months for enhanced PNP applications; 11 months for base PNP applications.

Under a temporary measure in effect since June 9, 2026, many base PNP applicants no longer need to wait for an AOR for their PR application before applying for a BOWP.

Service standard: Six months for PSTQ applicants, unpublished for QBC applications.

Service standard: 11 months for AIP submissions.

Service standards are not available for the above programs.

Service standard: 12 months for sponsorship of a spouse/common-law partner outside Quebec; IRCC does not publish standards for other application types.

IRCC does not provide published service standards for those intending to settle within Quebec.

IRCC’s citizenship grant inventory stood at 322,700 applications as of Oct. 9, down 4,400 applications since Sept. 3.

For the latest information on proof of citizenship certificate processing times, see our dedicated coverage.