Your Guide to Canadian Immigration Wait Times – Focus on Express Entry
If you’re planning to move to Canada in 2025, you’ve probably heard about the Express Entry system — Canada’s fastest and most popular way to immigrate as a skilled worker. This April, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its newest processing times update, and it comes with some big changes that could affect your plans.
In this blog post, we break down the latest data, show you what to expect, and explain how these changes impact your Express Entry journey. Whether you’re applying from outside Canada or already here, this is everything you need to know about IRCC processing times as of April 30, 2025.
✈️ What Is the Express Entry System?
Express Entry is an online immigration application system that selects skilled workers to become permanent residents of Canada. It includes three programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
It also processes candidates nominated by a province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those with the highest scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
📊 What’s New This April? — IRCC Processing Times
IRCC’s April 2025 update introduces improvements in some areas and delays in others. These updates use real-time processing estimates based on how long it took to process 80% of applications. Here’s a quick overview of Express Entry and related categories:
| Category | Processing Time | Change From March 2025 |
| Express Entry – PNP | 6 months | ⬇️ Faster by 1 month |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 6 months | ⬆️ Slower by 1 month |
| Quebec Business Class | 72 months (6 years) | ⬆️ Slower by 6 months |
| Start-Up Visa | 40 months | No change |
🚦 What Do These Processing Times Mean for You?
The 6-month standard for most Express Entry categories still holds — but there are changes worth noting.
✅ Improved Express Entry PNP Times
Applicants nominated by provinces under Express Entry PNP now enjoy faster processing. In April, IRCC reduced the average processing time from 7 to 6 months. This is great news for those applying through Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and other provinces.
Tip: If your CRS score is below the usual draw cutoff, getting a provincial nomination could add 600 CRS points, making your profile more competitive and speeding up your processing.
⚠️ FSWP Sees a Delay
If you applied through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, expect an average wait of 6 months — a one-month increase from March.
🛂 PR Card & Citizenship Processing: Slight Gains
📬 PR Cards
- New PR Cards: 19 days (1-day increase)
- Renewals: 10 days (1-day increase)
🇨🇦 Citizenship Applications
- Citizenship Grant: 8 months (1-month faster)
- Citizenship Certificate: 3 months (faster by 1 month)
- Renunciation: Now 8 months (2-month improvement)
This shows IRCC is improving internal systems and reducing wait times — especially for applicants already living in Canada.
🤝 Need Professional Support?
If you feel overwhelmed by these timelines and changing policies, don’t stress — you’re not alone. As a Johannesburg-based immigration firm specializing in Francophone and skilled worker immigration, we help clients:
- Improve their Express Entry profiles
- Apply strategically through provincial programs
- Navigate complex cases (e.g., inadmissibility, documentation gaps)
- Track processing updates and prepare proactively
📞 Contact us for a personalized consultation.
🔚 Final Thoughts: Stay Informed, Stay Prepared
Canada continues to welcome skilled immigrants, and the Express Entry system remains one of the most efficient pathways to permanent residency. But processing times fluctuate, and delays in document gathering or incomplete applications can easily extend your timeline.
That’s why staying informed — and staying prepared — is key to success.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult the official IRCC website or a regulated immigration consultant before making application decisions.
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