This page is updated monthly with the latest Canadian citizenship processing times. Bookmark it to track current timelines. CitizenPass makes mastering this easy — read on, then start practicing for free.
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Last updated: June 2025
Current Processing Times by Stage
| Processing Stage | Current Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application submission to AOR | 4-8 weeks |
| AOR to test invitation | 8-14 months |
| Test to ceremony (if passed) | 2-6 months |
| Total: Application to citizenship | 12-24 months |
Processing Times by Province (Approximate)
| Province/Region | Application to Test | Test to Ceremony | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 12-18 months | 3-6 months | 15-24 months |
| British Columbia | 11-16 months | 3-5 months | 14-21 months |
| Quebec | 10-14 months | 2-5 months | 12-19 months |
| Alberta | 9-13 months | 2-4 months | 11-17 months |
| Manitoba | 8-12 months | 2-4 months | 10-16 months |
| Saskatchewan | 8-12 months | 2-4 months | 10-16 months |
| Atlantic Canada | 8-12 months | 2-4 months | 10-16 months |
| Northern Territories | 8-12 months | 2-4 months | 10-16 months |
Note: These are estimates based on reported experiences and IRCC data. Individual cases may vary.
Monthly Trend
June 2025 Update
- Overall processing has improved slightly from early 2025
- Ontario remains the longest wait
- Prairie provinces and Atlantic Canada continue to have shorter timelines
- IRCC has increased ceremony frequency to clear backlogs
Historical Comparison
| Year | Average Total Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 2019 (pre-COVID) | 12-15 months |
| 2020 | 18-24+ months |
| 2021 | 24-36+ months |
| 2022 | 18-30 months |
| 2023 | 15-24 months |
| 2024 | 13-22 months |
| 2025 | 12-24 months |
The trend is moving toward pre-pandemic levels, but high immigration volumes keep processing times elevated.
CitizenPass Pro Tip: We monitor IRCC announcements daily and update our question bank immediately. With CitizenPass, you are always studying the most current and accurate material.
Factors That Affect Your Processing Time
Factors That Speed Things Up:
- Complete application with all required documents
- Clean background check
- Clear residency evidence
- Tax returns filed on time
- Simple case with no complications
- Living in a lower-volume province
Factors That Slow Things Down:
- Missing or incomplete documents
- Complex immigration history
- Security screening delays
- Name changes requiring verification
- Previous visa refusals
- Living in Ontario or BC (higher volume)
- IRCC requests for additional information
How to Check Your Status
Online:
- Visit the IRCC website
- Go to "Check your application status"
- Enter your UCI number and date of birth
- View your current processing stage
By Phone:
- IRCC Call Centre: 1-888-242-2100
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm local time
- Have your UCI number ready
What to Do While Waiting
The waiting period is your opportunity to prepare:
Start Studying Now
Do not wait for your test invitation. The best-prepared applicants start studying months before their test date.
Use CitizenPass
- Create your free account
- Start with the 80+ lessons covering all 12 chapters
- Take practice tests weekly
- Track your progress over time
- By the time your test date arrives, you will be fully prepared
Stay Organized
- Keep copies of all submitted documents
- Track your travel in and out of Canada
- Continue filing tax returns
- Update IRCC if your address changes
- Check your status monthly
Pass Your Citizenship Test — With CitizenPass
Thousands of newcomers have used CitizenPass to pass their citizenship test on the first attempt. Here is what you get — completely free to start:
- 600+ Practice Questions — Same format as the real IRCC test, with detailed explanations for every answer
- AI-Powered Coach — Identifies your weak areas and builds a personalized study plan just for you
- 80+ Bite-Sized Lessons — All 12 Discover Canada chapters, broken into 10-minute study sessions
- Real-Time Progress Tracking — See exactly when you are ready to pass
- Bilingual Support — Study in English or French, switch anytime
- Mobile + Desktop — Available on iOS, Android, and web — study anywhere
CitizenPass users score an average of 18/20 on their first attempt — well above the 15/20 passing score.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1Why do processing times vary by province?
Provinces with higher immigration volumes (Ontario, BC, Quebec) have larger backlogs. Smaller provinces with fewer applications tend to have shorter processing times.
2How can I check my application status?
Log into the IRCC online portal using your UCI number and date of birth. You can see your current processing stage and any requests for additional documentation.
3Does COVID still affect processing times?
While the worst of the pandemic-era backlogs have cleared, IRCC is still working through elevated volumes. Processing times have improved from 2021-2022 peaks but remain longer than pre-pandemic levels.