Receiving a decision on a work permit application from within Canada is experiencing extended delays once again.

According to the most recent government update, the average processing time for inland work permits has now reached 259 days, nearly nine months for many individuals. This timeline has been steadily increasing since the conclusion of 2025, with each subsequent update lengthening the processing period.

For temporary foreign workers currently residing in Canada, these prolonged delays can introduce uncertainty regarding their employment status, travel arrangements, and future immigration endeavors.

The mounting pressure is largely attributed to the high volume of applications. A significant number of workers who arrived in recent years are now seeking permit renewals simultaneously. Furthermore, policy modifications and heightened compliance verifications have added complexity to the application review process.

Individuals who submit their extension applications before their current permits expire are typically permitted to continue working under the existing conditions while awaiting a decision.

As of now, no new initiatives have been announced to alleviate the backlog, indicating that lengthy processing times may persist throughout much of 2026.