Why the processing of Canada Permanent Residency Cards or family sponsorship applications for Canada are getting delayed

As of June 2025, processing time for permanent residency, and family sponsorship applications Immigration for Canada has increased tremendously. As the delays are now much longer than previous timelines, the frustration among the immigrants is growing and they are seeking for any options that could be available.

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1 What are the reasons for delays in processing the permanent residency cards or family sponsorship applications, whether the applicants have any option to get same expedited, are the top concerns amongst immigrants.

2 Why the processing time for permanent residency cards or family sponsorship application has increased?

3 Current Processing Times for Family sponsorship visa, Canadian Permanent Residency Card in June 2025

3.1 The timelines given above are average time taken for above categories and can be lesser where applications are complete and well supported, and on other hand even take higher in cases of applications that require additional verification.

4 Options for Immigration Applicants Facing Delays

4.1 About Post Author

4.1.1 Terry

What are the reasons for delays in processing the permanent residency cards or family sponsorship applications, whether the applicants have any option to get same expedited, are the top concerns amongst immigrants.

  Why the processing time for permanent residency cards or family sponsorship application has increased?

Many factors have led to the increased processing times for Canadian citizenship, PR cards, and family sponsorships, some of them are shared below:

1. Of late there has been surge in immigration applications across all categories, particularly for family sponsorships and economic immigration programs. Due to sudden surge in the application volume and no corresponding increase in capacity to process these applications, backlog has accumulated. This processing time has increased to as much as up to 48 months for few provinces. Moreover, some provinces have introduced additional requirements which have further contributed to delay in processing.
2.  Office of the Auditor General, vide its audit report in year 2022, revealed that IRCC’s inventory management practices are a significant cause of delays. There is abnormal delay in initiating the initial processing of these applications. This delay is highest in processing refugee applications, where the delay to initiate the processing is as long as up to 20 months.
3.  Incorrect application or the missing supporting documents in these applications is another leading issue that leads to delay in processing of the applications. In such cases IRCC has to request additional information to complete processing of the application.
4. Some applications require additional reviews and extensive security checks. This is especially for applications for family sponsorships or economic class programs. These delay account occur in approximately 10% of the applications and this too adds months to processing times.
5.  Due to the backlogs, often many supporting documents, such as medical exams, get expired which further adds to the delay, especially in family sponsorship programs. Asking for resubmission of these documents, verifying them post resubmission further adds to the delay.
6. In case of applications for Quebec, the delay occurs as it has special agreement with federal government, which results in longer processing times which can be as long as 36 months, especially in case of family sponsorship applications.
7.  At time of COVID-19 pandemic, significant backlogs had been created. Though, IRCC has made significant progress since 2022 to cut down the backlog, it is still struggling to meet desired processing time due to high ongoing applications volume.

Current Processing Times for Family sponsorship visa, Canadian Permanent Residency Card in June 2025

As per latest IRCC updates, the processing times for key categories of immigration applications as of June 5, 2025 are as follows:

1. Citizenship Grant time has increased to 10 months from previous 8 months time.
2. Citizenship Certificate has increased to 4 months from previous average time of 3 months.
3. New Permanent Residency Card issuance time has increased to 48 days from previous period of 35 days.
4. PR Card Renewal has increased to 12 days from earlier 10 days.
5. Spousal Sponsorship, from Outside Canada, Non-Quebec is now 10 months.
6. Spousal Sponsorship, applied Inside Canada, Quebec is now up to 38 months.
7. Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship, Quebec is now 48 months.

The timelines given above are average time taken for above categories and can be lesser where applications are complete and well supported, and on other hand even take higher in cases of applications that require additional verification.

Options for Immigration Applicants Facing Delays

To ensure that there is no lapse on part of the applicant that leads to delay in processing of the application, applicants are advised to follow following steps to improve their chances of getting applications processed faster

Ensure that applications are Complete in all aspects and all required documents are attached to avoid delays. Use IRCC’s checklist to double check that the application is complete in all aspects.

Monitor Application Status from the IRCC website regularly, to have real-time updates on processing times and application status and whether any query has been raised against the application. If so, ensure to reply the same promptly. Applicants who have submitted Citizenship applications around April 2025 are likely to get an Acknowledgment of Receipt soon.

Consider taking help of Immigration consultants to prepare error-free applications so that no delays occur due to missing documents or incorrect application.

Applying online, instead of make physical applications can reduce processing time and mailing delays.

Applicants may request for expedited Services for PR Cards in cases where urgent travel is required though approval is not guaranteed.

The increased processing times for Canadian citizenship, or issue of PR cards, and family sponsorship applications is majorly due to high number of application submitted, late initiation of applications for processing of these applications by IRCC. These delays are frustrating for applicants and applicants are advised to take proactive steps like submitting complete applications which are well supported.

About Post Author

Terry

Terry, a writer and immigration expert with 10+ years as a content creator and advocate, helps newcomers navigate Canada’s system. Collaborating with consultants and agencies, Terry decodes PR risks and job challenges in trusted blogs. A storyteller and maple syrup fan, Terry authored a popular guide for new Canadians.

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