IRCC processing times: personalized estimates for work permit extensions

What changed in the tool

On IRCC’s Check processing times page, “Work permit extension in Canada” is now a separate option from “Work permit in Canada.” The page shows a modified date of September 24, 2026. IRCC has not published a news release that we found, so we describe this as a tool update.

For this option, the tool asks “Have you already applied?” If you choose “Yes,” a date picker opens. You enter your application date, and the tool shows an estimate for your case.

IRCC’s result page says this category includes new post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), bridging open work permits and changes of conditions on a work permit. It says the figures are updated weekly.

The numbers in IRCC’s data

IRCC’s weekly processing data was last updated on September 26, 2026. It shows the following.

The same data has examples of personalized results for work permit extensions:

• An application from week 1 of July 2026: “5 weeks left” and “About 87,100 people ahead of you.”
• An application from week 3 of September 2026: “11 weeks left” and “About 202,700 people ahead of you.”

Some older application dates, such as week 1 of January 2026, show “We need more time to process your application” instead of a number of weeks.

These figures change every week. Check the tool for the current numbers. Do not rely on the figures above after this date.

How to use the tool

1. Open the IRCC Check processing times page.
2. Under work permits from inside Canada, choose “Work permit extension in Canada.”
3. Answer “Have you already applied?”
4. If you answer yes, choose your application date.
5. Read the estimate. If you have not applied, the tool shows the current processing time instead.

What this means for you

• You applied to extend your work permit in Canada: use your application date in the tool. Plan around the estimate, but remember it is not a promise.
• You applied for a first PGWP or a bridging open work permit: IRCC says these are in the same category. Use the same option.
• You applied for a study permit extension: the tool has the same personalized feature for that category.
• Your result says “We need more time”: IRCC does not give a number of weeks for that date. Check your IRCC account for updates.

Workers who applied online before their permit expired may also have a letter that shows they can keep working. Read our post on the IRCC proof-of-work letter.

What to do next

1. Check your estimate in the IRCC tool.
2. Check again later, because IRCC updates the data weekly.
3. Use the estimate to plan your job, lease and travel, and keep a margin for delays.
4. Read our guide on work permits and our processing times page.

Frequently asked questions

Does “Work permit extension in Canada” include the PGWP?

IRCC says the category includes new post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), bridging open work permits and changes of conditions.

Is the estimate a guarantee?

No. It is an estimate that IRCC updates weekly.

What does “We need more time to process your application” mean?

For some older application dates, the tool shows this message instead of a number of weeks.

Does the tool work for study permit extensions?

Yes. IRCC’s data has the same feature for study permit extensions in Canada.

Sources

• IRCC: Check processing times (modified September 24, 2026)
• IRCC: Work permit extension processing time result (date modified September 17, 2026)
• IRCC: Weekly processing time data (JSON) (last updated September 26, 2026)