Canada study permit wait rises to 7 weeks for Indians; work permits remain at 11 weeks

Indian students applying to study in Canada are facing a longer estimated wait for study permits, while work permit processing times remain unchanged, according to the latest figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 14.

The estimated processing time for study permits submitted from India increased to seven weeks from six weeks in the October 7 update. For Indian applicants seeking work permits, the estimate remained at 11 weeks. Visitor visa processing improved slightly, falling from 30 days to 29 days, while super visa processing for parents and grandparents increased from 74 days to 77 days.

For Indians planning to travel, study or work in Canada, these figures provide an indication of how long applications may take. They are estimates, however, and do not guarantee when an individual application will be decided. IRCC is expected to publish its next update on or around October 21.


Also read: Canada updates and personalise work permit processing time, what does it mean for Indians?

Work permits for Indians remain unchanged

The estimated processing time for work permit applications submitted from India remained unchanged at 11 weeks.

Where the application is submitted from	October 14	October 7
India	11 weeks	11 weeks
Canada	15 weeks	14 weeks
Pakistan	9 weeks	8 weeks
Nigeria	10 weeks	10 weeks
US	6 weeks	6 weeks
Philippines	8 weeks	7 weeks

For Indians applying from India, there was no change in the estimated wait. However, Indian workers already in Canada who need to extend their permits should consider the separate processing estimate for extensions, which currently stands at 13 weeks.

IRCC's service standard is 60 days for work permit applications submitted from outside Canada. For initial applications and extensions submitted from within Canada, the standard is 120 days. These are departmental targets, not guarantees for individual applicants.

Indian students face a one-week increase

Study permit processing estimates for applicants from India rose from six weeks to seven weeks. This means Indian students applying from India should account for the longer estimate when planning their travel and course commencement.

Also read:Canada study: What Indian students prioritise when choosing universities?

Where the application is submitted from	October 14	October 7
India	7 weeks	6 weeks
Canada	7 weeks	8 weeks
Pakistan	8 weeks	7 weeks
Nigeria	10 weeks	10 weeks
US	5 weeks	6 weeks
Philippines	6 weeks	5 weeks

The estimate for applicants from Pakistan rose to eight weeks, its longest in more than four months. Meanwhile, estimates fell by one week for applicants applying from within Canada and the US.

IRCC's service standard is 60 days for study permit applications submitted from outside Canada. For initial applications and extensions submitted from within Canada, it is 120 days.

The seven-week estimate should not be treated as a deadline. Students may need additional time if IRCC requests documents or further verification.

Visitor visa waits improve slightly for Indians

The estimated processing time for visitor visa applications submitted from India fell by one day, from 30 days to 29 days.

Where the application is submitted from	October 14	October 7
India	29 days	30 days
Canada	12 days	11 days
Pakistan	65 days	71 days
Nigeria	103 days	100 days
US	18 days	18 days
Philippines	24 days	25 days

For Indians planning a holiday or a family visit to Canada, the latest estimate indicates a small improvement. It does not mean every application will be decided within 29 days.

The estimate for Pakistan fell by six days, while Nigeria's increased by three days. The US estimate remained unchanged. IRCC's service standard for visitor visas submitted from outside Canada is 14 days; no standard is listed for applications submitted from within Canada.

Super visas for Indian parents and grandparents take longer

The estimated processing time for super visas from India increased to 77 days from 74 days. The super visa allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods.

Where the application is submitted from	October 14	October 7
India	77 days	74 days
Pakistan	105 days	101 days
Nigeria	35 days	37 days
US	68 days	66 days
Philippines	103 days	90 days

For Indian families planning to bring parents or grandparents to Canada, the latest estimate means allowing more time for the application process. Super visa applications can only be submitted from outside Canada.

Pakistan's estimate increased to 105 days, while the Philippines recorded a rise from 90 days to 103 days. Nigeria was the only country in the table where the estimate decreased, falling from 37 days to 35 days. The service standard for super visas is 112 days.

Indians already in Canada face long extension waits

Indian nationals who are already in Canada and need to maintain their temporary status should also account for processing times for extensions and visitor records.

IRCC's latest figures show:

• Visitor record: 357 days.
• Study permit extension: Eight weeks, with 27,700 applications in the queue.
• Work permit extension: 13 weeks, with 205,400 applications in the queue.

The work permit extension category also includes new post-graduation work permits, bridging open work permits and applications to change work permit conditions.

The 357-day visitor record estimate is particularly important for people seeking to extend their stay as visitors. Those applying to extend study or work permits should also plan rather than waiting until the last moment. The figures are category-wide estimates, not individual timelines or confirmation of a person's immigration status.

Why actual waiting times can differ

IRCC's processing times are estimates of how long newly submitted applications may take to receive a decision. Depending on the category, they are based on the time taken to finalise 80 per cent of applications in the past or on the number of applications awaiting decisions and the resources available to process them.

Service standards are separate operational targets for finalising 80 per cent of applications under normal circumstances. IRCC's temporary residence service standards were last updated in 2018–2019.

Actual processing times can vary because of application complexity, pending applications, processing capacity, requests for additional documents and verification requirements. An application can therefore take less or more time than the published estimate. IRCC generally updates temporary residence processing estimates weekly, while permanent residence and citizenship figures are usually revised monthly.

From January to July 2026, IRCC processed 1,832,065 temporary residence applications. More than 394,000 applications remained outstanding as of July 31.