Family Sponsorship Processing Times: What IRCC Shows Now
IRCC shows about 18 months for a spouse or partner applying from outside Canada and about 26 months from inside Canada. Parents and grandparents files take about 28 months, and dependent children abroad about 41 months. Figures are from IRCC data updated 3 September 2026.
since 1991
How long does family sponsorship take?
IRCC shows about 18 months for a spouse or partner outside Canada and about 26 months for one inside Canada, both outside Quebec. Parents and grandparents files take about 28 months, and the program is paused for new applications. Dependent children abroad wait about 41 months.
How does IRCC work out these times?
IRCC shows how long it took to process 80% of that type of application in the past. The tool updates monthly. It is a guide, not a promise.
What changes your time
- Documents: a complete file moves faster
- Proof of relationship: weak evidence brings extra requests
- Checks: medical, police and security checks take time
- Country: some visa offices work faster than others
- Quebec: a provincial undertaking adds a step
- Replies: slow answers to IRCC add weeks
Where does your time go?
Some of it you control. Some of it you do not.
Time you control
- Gathering proof of your relationship before you apply
- Booking your medical exam when IRCC asks
- Ordering police certificates early
- Answering IRCC requests fast
Time you do not control
- The IRCC queue for your route
- Background and security checks
- The Quebec undertaking stage
- The visa office that handles your file
See our outland guide, inland vs outland and the cost breakdown.
Current IRCC times by route
IRCC lists these as of its data update on 3 September 2026. The people waiting figure shows the size of the queue. Source: IRCC.
Spouse, outside Canada
About 18 months. About 62,600 people waiting.
Spouse, inside Canada
About 26 months. About 54,700 people waiting.
Spouse, Quebec
Outside Canada: about 33 months, 19,200 waiting. Inside Canada: about 32 months, 14,200 waiting.
About 28 months, 37,500 waiting. Quebec: about 63 months, 10,300 waiting. New forms are paused.
About 41 months, 60,900 waiting. Quebec: more than 10 years, 22,600 waiting.
Want help planning your timeline?
We pick your route, check your evidence and plan your documents so you lose no time.
Rules to know before you plan around a processing time
Not a promise
IRCC says your application may take longer than the time shown. Treat the number as a guide.
Inside and outside differ
Spouses inside Canada and outside Canada wait in different queues, so check the right line.
People waiting
IRCC also lists how many people are waiting. A big queue explains a long time.
Quebec adds a step
Quebec sponsors also need an undertaking from the province, and IRCC waits for it before it decides.
Monthly refresh
IRCC updates permanent residence times monthly. A number you saw last month can change.
Check the update date
This page shows the IRCC data update of 3 September 2026. We recheck it every month.
Related pages
These pages cover spousal sponsorship, work permits and parents.
How to plan your timeline
Five actions help you plan with the right numbers.
Pick your route
Choose outland or inland sponsorship, or the Super Visa for parents while sponsorship is paused.
Read the IRCC time
Find your route in the table on this page.
Add the Quebec step
If you live in Quebec, add the time your province takes to approve your undertaking.
Prepare your documents
Collect proof of your relationship, police certificates and your medical exam details before you apply.
Check again each month
IRCC updates the numbers monthly. Check before you plan travel, a wedding or a job change.
Want your timeline checked?
We review your route and your evidence, then give you a plan.
How a family application moves, step by step
Six steps from your application to landing.
Submit a complete application
The sponsor and the sponsored person send forms, proof of relationship and fees together. IRCC returns an incomplete file.
Get your acknowledgement of receipt
IRCC confirms it received a complete file. After this, a spouse inside Canada can apply for an open work permit.
Give biometrics
IRCC asks the sponsored person for fingerprints and a photo. Do it as soon as you get the letter.
Medical and police
Book the medical exam and order police certificates when IRCC asks for them.
IRCC reviews your file
This is the time IRCC shows in its tool. An officer checks your relationship and your documents.
Decision and landing
If approved, you receive your confirmation of permanent residence and plan your arrival.
Five mistakes when you read processing times
These mistakes lead to bad plans.
Treating it as a promise
IRCC says the time is not a maximum or a guarantee.
Picking inland or outland by time alone
The faster line is not always right. Travel, appeal rights and your status matter too.
Forgetting Quebec
A Quebec sponsor needs a provincial undertaking before IRCC can decide.
Sending an incomplete file
IRCC returns incomplete applications. You lose the time and start again.
Using old numbers
Blog posts and social media often show old times. Use the latest IRCC update.
Want a second set of eyes?
We review your evidence and your file before you apply.
Processing time facts at a glance
Key figures from IRCC, data updated 3 September 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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Processing time FAQs
How long does spousal sponsorship take?
IRCC shows about 18 months for a spouse or partner outside Canada and about 26 months for one inside Canada, both outside Quebec. Quebec files show about 33 and 32 months. These are IRCC figures from 3 September 2026.
Is outland faster than inland?
Yes, right now. Outland is about 8 months faster, and it also gives you appeal rights and freedom to travel. Inland gives access to an open work permit after the acknowledgement of receipt. Read our inland vs outland guide.
How long does the parents and grandparents program take?
IRCC shows about 28 months for existing files outside Quebec and about 63 months in Quebec. IRCC is not taking new interest to sponsor forms, so new sponsors cannot join the queue right now.
How long does it take to sponsor a dependent child?
IRCC shows about 41 months for dependent children abroad outside Quebec and more than 10 years for Quebec. Check the IRCC tool for your own country before you plan. Read our guide to sponsoring a child or relative.
How long does a Super Visa take?
It depends on the country. IRCC data updated 1 October 2026 shows about 65 days for India, 100 days for Pakistan, 97 days for the Philippines and 83 days for China. Check the IRCC tool for your parent’s country. See our Super Visa page.
Does Quebec take longer?
Yes. IRCC shows about 33 months outside Canada and about 32 months inside Canada for Quebec spouses. Quebec also reviews the sponsor’s undertaking before IRCC decides.
Can my spouse work while we wait?
A spouse inside Canada can apply for an open work permit once the sponsorship application has an acknowledgement of receipt. See our spousal open work permit guide.
Why do blog posts show different times?
Many blogs show old numbers. IRCC updates its tool monthly, so a figure from a few months ago can be wrong. This page uses the IRCC data of 3 September 2026.
How often does this page update?
We recheck it every month after IRCC updates its tool. The date shown on the page is the date of the IRCC data.