Recent updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show improvements in processing times for various types of applications. Notably, wait times for the Atlantic Immigration Program and Parent and Grandparent Program have decreased, while other programs have seen increases.

For instance, the wait time for Atlantic Immigration Program submissions has decreased by four months, and Parent and Grandparent Program applications outside Quebec have seen a three-month reduction in processing time. On the other hand, processing times for the Provincial Nominee Program (non-Express Entry) and dependent child sponsorship within Canada have increased by three months.

This article analyzes the changes in processing times across different application types since the previous update in December 2025. The data is based on IRCC’s latest processing information, providing insights into the current status of various immigration programs.

Permanent Residence Applications

Express Entry

Despite issuing 11,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in December 2025, the processing times for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry program have decreased. Here is a summary of the current processing times compared to December 12, 2025:

Application Type	Current Processing Time	Processing Time as of December 12, 2025
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	6 months	7 months
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)	7 months	6 months
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)	N/A*	N/A*

*Due to insufficient data, IRCC has not published processing times for the FSTP for several months.

Service Standards: The service standard for all Express Entry programs is six months.

Overall, the recent updates in processing times reflect changes in various immigration programs, impacting applicants differently based on the program they are applying for.