IMMIGRATION PROCESSING DELAYS SURGE IN CANADA: TEMPORARY RESIDENTS FACE EXTENDED WAIT TIMES IN 2025
Canada’s immigration system is under increasing pressure in 2025, with significant delays now affecting temporary residents across the country. According to newly released data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), processing times for various temporary residence applications have reached critical levels, highlighting operational backlogs and raising concerns among applicants and immigration professionals alike.
The current average wait times are:
Visitor visa extensions: 169 days
Study permit extensions: 234 days
Work permit extensions: 237 days
These delays are attributed in part to a wave of federal public sector job cuts, with 3,300 positions eliminated in January 2025 as part of government-wide cost-saving measures. The reduction in IRCC personnel has coincided with an ever-growing volume of applications and a more complex operational landscape—particularly as provinces introduce new immigration pathways and program changes requiring additional administrative support.
The impact of these extended processing times is particularly acute for temporary residents, including international students, foreign workers, and visitors already in Canada. Many face challenges in renewing their legal status, continuing employment, or maintaining enrollment at academic institutions while waiting for decisions. The prolonged uncertainty also affects Canadian employers who rely on foreign talent to address labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality.
Immigration lawyers and consultants are calling for urgent federal action, including additional staffing, improved digital infrastructure, and greater transparency on processing timelines. Without intervention, experts warn that the current delays could jeopardize Canada's reputation as a reliable destination for international talent and temporary migration.
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