According to Maple News, Canada’s immigration department has rolled out an encouraging update on processing times for a variety of immigration applications. The latest figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) point to quicker decision-making for several key programs, including study permits and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
This December update brings particularly good news for prospective international students and individuals sponsoring their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. These application categories have shown a noticeable improvement in processing speed compared to November 2025.
Notably, study permits—essential for international students planning to attend designated learning institutions in Canada—are being processed significantly faster, alleviating long-standing concerns about delays. Similarly, the PGP pathway has seen a drop in wait times, suggesting IRCC is ramping up efforts to reunite families more swiftly.
However, not all categories have seen progress. Processing times for dependent child sponsorship applications have increased sharply, now taking up to four months longer than before. This surge adds pressure for families hoping to bring children to Canada under this pathway.
In the realm of permanent residence, Express Entry applications remain stable. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) continues to be processed in about seven months, unchanged from the previous month. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) holds steady at six months, aligning with IRCC’s standard for Express Entry streams. However, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) lacks updated data, with IRCC citing insufficient information to publish reliable figures.
As of now, approximately 21,700 applicants await a decision under the CEC stream, while around 27,600 are in line for the FSWP. These numbers underscore the ongoing pressure on Express Entry systems despite efforts to maintain timely processing.
Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC’s updates in the coming months, especially as Canada pushes forward with ambitious immigration targets. These processing time adjustments reflect IRCC’s strategy to streamline key application streams while managing increased demand across programs.