Canada faces visa delays ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facing mounting visa processing delays months before Canada hosts 13 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, according to a report by Buffalo Toronto Public Media. The agency is managing higher application volumes after cutting 20% of its staff, raising concerns about longer wait times as more than 20 million international visitors are expected. As per the report, officials say the strain comes as IRCC works to return to pre-pandemic operations while reducing costs.

According to the latest IRCC processing timetable, federal skilled worker applications have increased by one month. New permanent resident card applications show a one-week rise. Super visa applications from countries including India and the United States have recorded increases ranging from 17 to 110 days.

Processing times stretch across categories

Rick Lamanna, partner at Fragomen Immigration Law, told Buffalo Toronto Public Media that several application types have seen sharp increases.


“We saw massive jumps in certain application types. One, for example, was spousal sponsorship," he said. "Those jumped almost double — in some cases, tripled. Another one is work permit extensions. Those processing times are unfortunately accurate, and they’re over 200 calendar days.”

Citizenship applications officially remain at 13 months, according to IRCC’s published data. However, citizenship certificates now show a 10-month timeline, up one month from December. Lamanna noted that some applicants have been told of at least a three-month increase in citizenship processing, though this change does not appear in the latest timetable.

World Cup demand adds pressure

Canada typically processes close to one million visas annually. With millions expected to travel for the World Cup, demand for temporary resident visas and electronic travel authorizations could place additional pressure on the system.

Processing times may affect travellers from five participating countries playing matches in Canada, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Panama.

"Ivory Coast, right now, is listed at 292 days. Senegal, 203 days, this is to get a visitor visa to Canada," Lamanna said. "I'm very interested to see when these folks are able to come into Canada, if they're if they have yet to apply for their visa. Because the schedule for the World Cup was only released in the beginning of December."

Security and screening concerns

Observers have also raised concerns about security screening, potential misrepresentation in FIFA-related travel scams and a possible increase in fraudulent asylum claims.

Lamanna said IRCC may prioritise applications linked to the tournament but added there is no official guidance confirming this approach.

"Yes, the intake is very, very high. My guess is that they'll try to sort through these applications for people who have identified as coming for the World Cup and will approve those," he said. "But again, nothing online that says specifically that they'll do that, and perhaps they're doing it because they don't want to have people trying to game the system with fraudulent, you know, proof of tickets."

He added, "IRCC, I think, is doing what it can to try to alleviate some of these things, but frankly, I think they're going to be here for a while, the increased processing times."

According to Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the Canada Border Services Agency said it is working with government partners and host cities to manage the expected influx of travellers.

“To address the expected large volume of travelers, the CBSA collaborates in advance with all event authorities regarding the admissibility requirements for travelers and goods entering Canada. The CBSA is working closely with its Government of Canada partners, including the Department of Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Global Affairs Canada as well as the host cities and the FIFA in the safety and security planning for this international event. We are also collaborating with border security partners in the United States and Mexico to coordinate our respective operational approaches.”