By M Kabir
ISLAMABAD: Canada has released updated processing times for temporary residence applications, with work permit wait times for Pakistani applicants remaining unchanged at six weeks.
The latest figures, comparing data from May 26 with the previous update issued on May 20, indicate stability in key immigration categories for applicants from Pakistan. Despite changes recorded for several countries, Pakistan’s work permit timeline has stayed the same, maintaining its position among countries with comparatively shorter processing periods.
According to the updated figures, Pakistani applicants seeking work permits from outside Canada can currently expect processing times of around six weeks. This places Pakistan ahead of countries such as India and Nigeria, where work permit processing times have increased. India’s work permit wait time rose to 10 weeks from nine weeks, while Nigeria experienced a more significant increase, with waiting periods extending to 16 weeks from 12 weeks.
The data also showed no changes in study permit processing times for Pakistan. Applicants from Pakistan applying for study permits continue to face an estimated waiting period of seven weeks, unchanged from the previous update. Study permit processing times for other countries remained mixed, with applicants from India and the Philippines continuing to experience relatively shorter wait times.
While major categories remained stable, slight improvements were observed in visitor visa and super visa processing times for Pakistan. Visitor visa processing time decreased marginally from 50 days to 49 days, offering a small reduction in waiting periods for travelers planning short-term visits to Canada.
Similarly, super visa processing time for Pakistani applicants improved slightly, decreasing from 75 days to 74 days. The super visa program, designed mainly for parents and grandparents wishing to stay with family members in Canada for extended periods, continues to remain an important immigration pathway for many families.
Canada’s updated figures also show differences in processing times depending on where applications are submitted. Work permit applications submitted from within Canada currently face much longer waiting periods, with processing times standing at over 200 days.
Canadian authorities have also published service standards for different categories. For work permits and study permits submitted from outside Canada, the service standard remains 60 days, while visitor visa applications submitted outside Canada carry a service standard of 14 days. Super visa applications currently have a service standard of 112 days.
The updated processing timelines provide applicants with a clearer picture of expected waiting periods as Canada continues to manage immigration demand and application volumes across multiple categories.
