Nigerians applying to travel to Canada face longer waits for several temporary residence applications, according to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
As of September 16, 2026, the estimated processing time for a Canadian study permit from Nigeria rose to 10 weeks, up from nine weeks the previous week.
The estimated wait for a visitor visa from Nigeria also increased, from 84 days on September 9 to 87 days on September 16. The processing time for Nigerian work permit applications remained unchanged at 10 weeks.
IRCC, Canada’s federal immigration department, stresses that its published processing-time estimates are not guarantees or maximum timelines.
According to the agency, actual processing can vary depending on how complete an application is, the volume of applications received, verification requirements and whether additional checks are needed.
Study Permit Waits Lengthen For Nigerians
The updated figures matter most for Nigerians planning to begin studies in Canada this academic cycle. IRCC’s September 16 estimate put Nigerian study permit processing at 10 weeks, compared with nine weeks a week earlier.
By comparison, estimates for applicants from other countries remained unchanged: five weeks for India, seven weeks for Pakistan, six weeks for the United States and five weeks for the Philippines.
IRCC advises prospective international students to apply as soon as they receive their letter of acceptance, since processing times can vary by application and location.
Canada requires most international students to obtain a study permit before arrival, generally supported by a letter of acceptance from their designated learning institution and, where applicable, a provincial or territorial attestation letter.
Visitor Visa Wait Also Climbs
The processing estimate for Canadian visitor visa applications from Nigeria increased by three days in the same update, moving from 84 days to 87 days between September 9 and September 16.
That compares with 29 days for applicants from India, 75 days from Pakistan, 16 days from the United States and 21 days from the Philippines.
IRCC says visitor visa processing times depend on factors including whether an application is complete, how quickly biometrics and supporting documents are submitted, and whether an application requires additional security checks.
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