Key numbers on Canadian immigration
Inside IRCC’s application processing system
Data as of May 31, 2026
We receive and process millions of applications each year for temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship.
Our annual Immigration Levels Plan sets how many newcomers Canada plans to welcome each year. We prioritize spaces in a way that supports our economy, communities, and humanitarian commitments.
Visitor visas, citizenship grants, asylum claims, and certain other application types are not included in the levels plan. These applications are processed based on demand and other requirements.
How do we manage applications?
This overview shows how many applications we’re managing, how they’re progressing, and what affects processing. We’re always receiving new applications, so the number of applications not yet finalized can increase.
About the data
Please note that values are rounded to the closest multiple of 5. The data is approximate and subject to change.
Temporary residence
Temporary residence
Data as of May 31, 2026These applications include students, workers, and visitors. They are new temporary residence applications only, not extensions.
Arrival targets are set in the Immigration Levels Plan—to sustainably manage how many students and workers arrive in Canada each year. To support tourism and the economy, there is no arrival target set for visitor visas.
Applications not yet finalized
404,070Spotlight on managing and processing applications
Study permits
Applications not yet finalized
31,665Most international students start school in the fall or winter, so the number of applications we receive goes up and down during the year. Students are encouraged to apply for a study permit as soon as they’re accepted to a Canadian designated learning institution so we can process their application before classes begin.
As part of Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy, we’ve launched 2-week processing for study permit applicants who want to study at the PhD level.
Work permits
Applications not yet finalized
35,040To help fill jobs where Canadian workers aren’t available or to help meet economic priorities, we process work permits faster in certain cases, including
- employers and skilled workers through the Global Skills Strategy
- special measures to allow certain workers to continue working in Quebec and to help the province prevent labour shortages
- 14-day work permit processing for up to 5,000 licensed doctors with job offers, nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program, allowing them to work while awaiting permanent residence
Visitor visas
Applications not yet finalized
337,365Visitor visa processing times depend on
- whether the application is complete
- how quickly biometrics and required documents are provided
- whether extra security screening is needed
- how many applications we receive from a given country
Find out more about our service standards and our performance
Permanent residence
Permanent residence
Data as of May 31, 2026Permanent residence targets are set in the Immigration Levels Plan for different categories.
Economic
These applications are for people seeking permanent residence based on their skills or work experience. This includes pathways such as Express Entry, federal business programs, and regional economic programs, including the Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Rural Community Immigration Pilot, and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
Applications not yet finalized
238,335- 75% are in processing
- 25% are waiting for space under yearly targets
Spotlight on managing and processing applications
Express Entry
We invite candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence in rounds throughout the year. The number of invitations depends on immigration targets.
From June 2025 to May 2026, about 79% of applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class received a decision within the 6-month service standard, and about 50% received a decision in 4 months or less.
Start-up Visa Program and Self-Employed Persons Program
To manage our program inventories responsibly, we aren’t accepting any new Start-up Visa Program applications, except from applicants who got a valid commitment from a designated organization in 2025 and haven’t applied yet. The Self-Employed Persons Program is also paused indefinitely. We’re continuing to process existing applications for both programs, but capacity is limited under the levels plan.
In-Canada Workers Initiative
We’re transitioning up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, to support people who are already in Canada with needed skills and experience. This initiative will help fill job gaps in smaller and rural communities across the country. These permanent residents are in addition to, not part of, the targets set in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Find out more about our service standards and our performance
Family
Family immigration includes reunification and international adoptions.
Applications not yet finalized
159,765- 60% are in processing
- 40% are waiting for space under yearly targets
Spotlight on managing and processing applications
Spouses, partners and children
From June 2025 to May 2026, we processed applications for spouses, partners and children submitted within and outside Canada (who want to live outside of Quebec) in about 14 months.
Parents and grandparents
Demand for this program is higher than the number of available spaces in the levels plan, which impacts processing times. We accept a limited number of applications through set rounds to meet targets. To support family reunification, we offer a super visa to eligible parents and grandparents.
International adoptions
International adoption timelines vary by country and situation. In Canada, families should expect the process to take at least two years, even when everything goes smoothly. This time is needed to make sure the adoption is legal and properly reviewed.
Processing times for family class applications destined for Quebec differ from the rest of Canada because Quebec sets its own immigration targets. When the number of applications received is higher than the space available, processing times are longer. We continue to work closely with Quebec.
Find out more about our service standards and our performance
Protection
This includes applications for permanent residence under these categories: protected persons in Canada, government-assisted refugees, privately sponsored refugees, and humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The data does not include special measures.
Applications not yet finalized
307,215- 54% are in processing
- 46% are waiting for space under yearly targets
Spotlight on managing and processing applications
Asylum
Canada’s asylum system protects people who are fleeing persecution, or risks to their life or safety in their home country. We have a legal responsibility to assess all claims we receive for eligibility so we do not have set targets in the levels plan. Through the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act we can provide faster protection for people in need and prevent misuse of the system as a shortcut to regular immigration pathways.
Protected persons in Canada
As part of a one-time initiative, we’re processing up to 115,000 additional permanent residence applications from protected persons and their in‑Canada dependants in 2026 and 2027. These individuals are already legally recognized as needing Canada’s protection and are contributing to and working in Canadian communities. Processing their applications provides certainty and stability without increasing pressures on housing or public services.
Special measures
Special measures
We put in place special measures to help people affected by conflicts, crises, natural disasters or other situations within and outside Canada.
These measures go beyond our regular programs to address the urgent needs of people facing extraordinary circumstances. Each crisis is different, so it can be hard to predict exact processing times.
What affects processing times:
- if the measures apply to people within or outside Canada
- the conditions of the country a person is applying from
- whether or not IRCC has a presence in the applicants’ country
- the ability of applicants to provide their biometrics
- the ability for applicants to travel to Canada on their own
- if the application needs additional security screening by partner agencies
Find out more information about the pathways we have in place for situations abroad and in Canada.
Citizenship
Citizenship
Data as of May 31, 2026There are two types of applications for Canadian citizenship.
Citizenship grant
This type of application is for permanent residents who are not yet citizens. To receive a grant of citizenship, they must apply, meet the eligibility requirements and take the citizenship oath at a citizenship ceremony.
Applications not yet finalized
326,365Proof of citizenship
This type of application is for citizens to replace or get a citizenship certificate.
Applications not yet finalized
82,020Spotlight on managing and processing applications
To make it easier for people to apply for citizenship and track their applications. We’ve:
- launched online application processes for people applying for a citizenship grant, proof of citizenship or a search of citizenship records
- created an online citizenship application tracker that shows application status and any required next steps
- made the electronic citizenship certificate available to more people
Find out more about our service standards and our performance
Support and resources
We’re continuing to look for better ways to communicate with applicants by providing them with timely, easy-to-understand updates so that they can make informed decisions while their application is being processed.
Check processing times
Find out how long it should take us to process an application
We set annual targets for international students, temporary workers, and permanent residents.
We publish key numbers on Canadian immigration each month.