Nigerians seeking to study, visit or work in Canada are facing longer estimated processing times following the latest temporary residence processing-time update by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Canadian immigration department updated its processing-time estimates on Aug. 5, with increases recorded in several temporary residence categories for Nigerian applicants.
The estimated processing time for study permits increased from six weeks to seven weeks between July 28 and Aug. 5.
The waiting period for Canadian visitor visas also rose from 64 days to 68 days.
However, the estimated processing time for Nigerians applying for work permits remained unchanged at seven weeks.
There was also a slight increase in the estimated processing time for super visa applications from Nigeria, which rose from 41 days to 43 days.
Under the latest estimates, Nigerian applicants should expect a processing period of seven weeks for work permits, seven weeks for study permits, 68 days for visitor visas and 43 days for super visas.
The changes were not limited to Nigerian applicants, as IRCC also recorded significant adjustments for applicants from other countries.
Work permit processing for applicants from Pakistan recorded one of the largest increases, rising from 11 weeks to 25 weeks, an increase of 14 weeks.
Study permit processing for applicants from the Philippines increased by one week, while super visa processing for Philippine applicants rose from 73 days to 100 days.
Some applicants, however, experienced shorter estimated waiting periods.
The largest reduction among the featured categories was recorded for super visa applications from Pakistan, which fell from 196 days to 185 days.
IRCC cautioned that its processing times were estimates and should not be regarded as guarantees of when applications would be completed.
The department said actual processing periods could vary depending on factors including the complexity of an application, the number of applications awaiting processing, available resources and whether immigration officials required additional information or documents.
IRCC updates its temporary residence processing-time estimates weekly, meaning the figures for Nigerian applicants could change in the next update.
The next update is expected around Aug. 12, 2026.
