Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its latest application processing time update, showing notable improvements across several immigration streams as of January 2026.
One of the most significant updates is the four-month reduction in processing times for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), a key pathway for skilled workers moving to Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Meanwhile, the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) for applicants outside Quebec saw processing time shortened by three months, marking a welcomed change for families waiting to reunite.
Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) also showed improvement. Despite 11,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in December 2025, CEC processing time dropped from seven to six months, aligning with IRCC’s goal of completing Express Entry applications within its six-month service standard. On the other hand, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) saw a slight increase in processing time, now averaging seven months compared to six previously.
However, not all news is positive. Processing times for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications submitted outside of the Express Entry stream and dependent child sponsorship applications within Canada both increased by three months. Work permit processing has also seen delays, likely due to growing volumes and complex case assessments.
IRCC’s processing estimates are dynamic and reflect the expected duration for newly submitted applications at the time they are checked. Fluctuations typically depend on application volumes, staffing capacity, and policy changes.
Data for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) remains unavailable due to insufficient submissions, a trend that IRCC has consistently noted in previous updates.
Overall, these developments highlight IRCC’s efforts to address backlogs and improve client service for immigration pathways that support Canada’s economic, demographic, and regional goals. Applicants are encouraged to monitor processing updates regularly as timelines are subject to change.
As always, Maple News will continue to provide the latest insights and updates on Canada’s immigration trends and policies.