IRCC Updates Immigration Processing Times for March 2026
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New IRCC processing times update for March 2026 shows revised timelines for citizenship, PR cards, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, & visitor visas. Some categories saw faster decisions, while others continue to face longer waiting times.
On March 11, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest update on application processing times. The new data reflects how long applicants may currently wait for decisions across various immigration and visa categories.
The update includes revised timelines for several major programs, including citizenship applications, work permits, family sponsorship, economic immigration pathways, and temporary visas. Keep reading the blog for the full list of visas and their processing times.
Latest IRCC Processing Time Revisions for March 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated processing timelines for several immigration and visa categories in March 2026. These revisions provide applicants with an updated estimate of how long different applications may currently take to be processed.
Citizenship Applications Processing Times
|
Application Type |
Applicants Waiting |
Processing Time (Mar 9, 2026) |
Change Since Feb 2026 |
|
Citizenship Grant |
320,300 (+7,300) |
13 months |
-1 month |
|
Citizenship Certificate |
50,900 (+3,000) |
10 months |
-1 month |
|
Resumption of Citizenship |
Data unavailable |
Not enough data |
No change |
|
Renunciation of Citizenship |
Data unavailable |
10 months |
-8 months |
|
Citizenship Records Search |
Data unavailable |
17 months |
+1 month |
Permanent Resident (PR) Card Processing Times
Application Type | Processing Time (Mar 11, 2026) | Change Since Last Week | Change Since Jan 21 |
New PR Card | 60 days | -1 day | -2 days |
PR Card Renewal | 27 days | -1 day | -4 days |
Also Read: Canada Implements New Work Experience Requirements for Express Entry Category-Based Draws
Family Sponsorship Application Timelines
Category | Applicants Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since Feb |
Spouse/Common-law (Outside Canada - non-Quebec) | 48,200 (+900) | 15 months | No change |
Spouse/Common-law (Outside Canada - Quebec) | 18,900 (-200) | 35 months | No change |
Spouse/Common-law (Inside Canada - non-Quebec) | 52,400 (-200) | 21 months | No change |
Spouse/Common-law (Inside Canada - Quebec) | 12,300 (+200) | 36 months | +1 month |
Parents/Grandparents (non-Quebec) | 46,600 (-1,700) | 34 months | -1 month |
Parents/Grandparents (Quebec) | 11,700 (-300) | 46 months | -1 month |
Humanitarian and Protected Persons Processing
Category | Applicants Waiting | Processing Time | Change since Feb |
H&C Outside Quebec | 50,500 (+700) | Over 10 years | No change |
H&C In Quebec | 18,500 (+400) | Over 10 years | No change |
Protected Persons (Outside Quebec) | 100,800 (+1,300) | 16 months | -1 month |
Protected Persons (In Quebec) | 37,100 (+100) | 112 months | No change |
Dependents of Protected Persons (Outside Quebec) | 57,000 (+1,600) | 39 months | +2 months |
Dependents of Protected Persons (In Quebec) | 21,100 (+300) | Over 10 years | No change |
Canadian Passport Processing Times
Application Type | Processing Time | Change Since Feb |
New Passport (In-person in Canada) | 10 business days | No change |
New Passport (Mail in Canada) | 20 business days | No change |
Urgent Pickup | Next business day | No change |
Express Pickup | 2-9 business days | No change |
Passport from Outside Canada | 20 business days | No change |
Permanent Residence Economic Class Processing Times
PR Program | Applicants Waiting | Processing Time | Change Since Jan |
44,300 (+10,100) | 7 months | No change | |
45,300 (+2,300) | 7 months | No change | |
Not available | Not enough data | No change | |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry | 13,000 (+600) | 7 months | No change |
Non-Express Entry PNP | 108,000 (-300) | 13 months | No change |
26,900 (+500) | 11 months | No change | |
Quebec Business Class | 3,900 | 80 months | No change |
Federal Self-Employed | 8,100 | Over 10 years | No change |
13,500 (-200) | 33 months | No change | |
45,900 (+300) | Over 10 years | No change |
Temporary Visa Processing Times
Visitor Visa Processing (Outside Canada)
|
Country |
Processing Time |
Change Last Week |
Change Since Jan |
|
India |
57 days |
-9 days |
-26 days |
|
United States |
17 days |
-2 days |
-8 days |
|
Nigeria |
53 days |
-2 days |
+13 days |
|
Pakistan |
49 days |
-2 days |
-7 days |
|
Philippines |
14 days |
-2 days |
-2 days |
|
Visitor visa (inside Canada) |
18 days |
-1 day |
+4 days |
|
Visitor record extension |
245 days |
+19 days |
+84 days |
Super Visa Processing Times
Country | Processing Time | Change Last Week | Change Since Jan |
India | 208 days | -2 days | -6 days |
United States | 207 days | No change | +20 days |
Nigeria | 44 days | No change | +6 days |
Pakistan | 132 days | -6 days | +8 days |
Philippines | 85 days | -5 days | -24 days |
Explore: Canada to Prioritize Three PR Occupation Categories Under Express Entry
Study Permit Processing Times
Country | Processing Time | Change Last Week | Change Since Jan |
India | 4 weeks | No change | No change |
United States | 5 weeks | -1 week | -2 weeks |
Nigeria | 8 weeks | No change | +1 week |
Pakistan | 15 weeks | No change | +10 weeks |
Philippines | 5 weeks | No change | No change |
Work Permit Processing Times
Country | Processing Time | Change Last Week | Change Since Jan |
India | 7 weeks | -1 week | -1 week |
United States | 9 weeks | No change | -1 week |
Nigeria | 13 weeks | No change | +4 weeks |
Pakistan | 30 weeks | No change | +10 weeks |
Philippines | 7 weeks | No change | +1 week |
Other TRV Visas
|
Program |
Current Processing Time |
Recent Changes |
|
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program |
7 days |
No change since last week; -3 days since Dec 31 |
|
International Experience Canada (IEC) |
2 weeks |
-6 weeks since Jan 28, 2026; -4 weeks since Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
5 minutes for most applicants; up to 72 hours if additional checks are required |
Varies based on screening requirements |
Make Your Move to Canada Hassle-free with GetGIS
The latest IRCC processing time updates for March 2026 highlight timelines across citizenship, PR, visas, and temporary programs, giving applicants a clearer idea of current waiting periods. Staying informed about these updates can help candidates better plan their Canada immigration journey. Make your move to Canada smoother with GetGIS. Connect with our expert consultants who will guide you through every step of the immigration process with confidence!
Also Read:
- 5 Major Canada Immigration Changes That Took Effect From January 1, 2026
- Canada Express Entry Draw Predictions and Expectations for 2026
- Latest Canada Express Entry Draw Records Lowest CRS, Invites 4,000 Candidates for PR
