Canada launches personalized processing time estimates

Canada has launched personalized processing time estimates for work permit extensions and Post-Graduation Work Permit applications submitted from within the country. The update to the immigration department's processing times web page in late September 2026 gives applicants a clearer picture of their expected wait based on their specific place in the queue.

Applicants can now see an estimated remaining wait time in weeks. This estimate is based on the date the application was submitted. The page also shows the number of applicants ahead of the individual and the total number of applicants waiting for a decision. The feature is also available for those who have not yet applied, showing the projected wait time if they were to submit an application at that moment.

The change does not alter any eligibility requirements for a work permit or a PGWP. Processing times are estimates and can change based on application volume, complexity, and other factors.

Scope of the new estimates

The personalized estimates apply only to specific in-Canada applicants. They are available for individuals extending an existing work permit or applying to change the conditions of a current permit. They also apply to international student graduates in Canada who are submitting their first Post-Graduation Work Permit application.

The previous 'Work permit in Canada' option on the department's website remains active but now has a narrower scope. It applies only to non-PGWP applicants who are submitting their first work permit application from inside Canada.

Current applicant backlog

As of September 26, 2026, there were 202,900 applicants awaiting decisions on work permits and PGWPs. This backlog provides the context for the new personalized estimates, which calculate an individual's position within this total pool.

Applicants who submit a work permit extension application before their existing permit expires benefit from maintained status. This was previously known as implied status. Eligible applicants can continue working under the conditions of their existing permit while waiting for a decision, provided they remain in Canada.

In a related temporary measure, provincial nominees have an additional pathway. A measure introduced on June 9, 2026, allows eligible applicants to the base Provincial Nominee Program to apply for a bridging open work permit without first receiving an acknowledgement of receipt for their permanent residence application. This temporary measure is valid until December 31, 2026.

The launch of personalized processing times for work permits follows a similar initiative for citizenship and permanent residence applicants, which began in October 2025. Applicants can now check personalized processing time estimates on the immigration department's website to plan their next steps.