Applicants for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship now have access to more personalized and transparent application timelines, Maple News reports. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its application processing tool to provide individual estimates based on the applicant’s submission date and queue position, offering increased clarity and accountability in the immigration system.
Previously, the tool only displayed average processing times for each application category, which could often feel vague or outdated. Now, applicants can enter whether they’ve already applied and the date they submitted their application. Based on this information, the updated tool will display the estimated remaining processing time, how many people are ahead in the line, and the total number of applicants still waiting for a decision.
For those who haven’t applied yet, the tool reveals the current processing time if they were to apply today and the total number of people in the application queue. This helps prospective applicants better plan their timelines and expectations before committing to the process.
For example, someone who applied under the Atlantic Immigration Program in May 2025 would see a personalized projection with data like an estimated remaining wait of 26 months, around 9,500 applications ahead of them, and a total queue of 13,100. In contrast, a new applicant may see an estimated timeline of 37 months based on current volumes.
This tailored insight is currently available for several major immigration pathways, including economic immigration programs such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class), the Provincial Nominee Program, the Start-up Visa Program, and self-employed and Quebec business classes. Several family sponsorship streams, including spouses, common-law partners (inside and outside Canada), and parents and grandparents, are also supported.
Applicants for citizenship grants and certificates (proof of citizenship) can use the tool as well, along with those submitting applications under humanitarian and compassionate grounds or refugee status (in Canada). However, not all application types are included in this update. Sponsorships for dependent or adopted children, as well as applications to replace or amend documents, are currently excluded.
This IRCC enhancement reflects ongoing efforts to modernize Canada’s immigration system and increase transparency for applicants navigating often complex and lengthy pathways to residency or citizenship. By offering real-time, individualized insights, the government aims to improve the applicant experience and reduce uncertainty for newcomers.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on future updates to Canada’s immigration processes and digital services.