Canada’s in-Canada work permit processing time has dropped by nearly a month, but applicants still face waits well above the immigration department’s service target.
As of June 10, 2026, foreign nationals in Canada applying for a new work permit or to extend an existing work permit can expect a processing time of 186 days, down from 212 days as of May 6, 2026, according to data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The June figure is the lowest reported in 2026 based on available data.
IRCC uses historical processing estimates for initial work permits and extensions. These estimates are based on how long it took the department to finalize 80% of applications in that category in the past.
Despite the improvement, processing times remain above IRCC’s aspirational service standard. The department aims to process 80% of in-Canada work permit applications within four months.
Foreign nationals in Canada who apply to extend their work permits before expiry may benefit from maintained status. Maintained status allows them to continue working under the conditions of their expired permit while their new application is processed, provided they remain in Canada.
In April 2026, Canada extended the validity period of work permit support letters from six months to one year to account for extended processing times.
Work permit support letters are issued to foreign nationals as documentation they can use to show maintained status to employers and other government agencies.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
