Processing Times · Work permit (outside Canada) · Canada

Work permit processing time from Canada

How long IRCC currently expects a work permit application from Canada to take — the official estimate for this country, how it compares with the global average, and its recorded history.

Current IRCC estimate

16 weeks

For applications from Canada, recorded 23 Oct 2026

Global average — work permit

≈ 66 days (~9 weeks)

Average of the IRCC estimates IRCC publishes for 61 countries

Canada vs the world

46 days slower

Slower than the global average for this permit type

Estimates are IRCC's published figures for applications made from Canada (source data updated October 21, 2026; our snapshot 23 Oct 2026). They are not a guarantee for any individual application — always confirm on the official IRCC processing-times page.

Work permit processing time from Canada history

We record IRCC's published estimates every day so this page can chart the trend over time. History is still being collected — the first snapshot was recorded on 23 Oct 2026 (16 weeks), and the chart will appear here automatically as soon as the next daily snapshots are in.

Snapshot date	IRCC estimate	Days (approx.)
23 Oct 2026	16 weeks	~112

Other permits from Canada

Visitor visa from Canada

Not listed

IRCC publishes no visitor visa estimates for Canada

Study permit from Canada

7 weeks

Details & history →

Keep exploring

Nearby countries in the work permit index: Cambodia · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Caribbean Netherlands.

Already in Canada? See Work permit extension (inside Canada) instead. Planning to immigrate permanently? Calculate your CRS score and browse the Express Entry draw archive, or compare all IRCC processing times.