Express Entry Processing Time: What to Expect in 2025

Understanding how long Express Entry takes — from ITA to landing — helps you plan your move to Canada. While IRCC targets six months for 80% of complete applications, several factors can shorten or extend your timeline. In 2025, processing times have stabilized significantly compared to the pandemic era, but individual circumstances still create considerable variation in how quickly applications are finalized.

IRCC's Processing Time Target

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains a stated service standard to process 80% of complete Express Entry applications within six months of the date an application is submitted — not from the date you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is an important distinction that many applicants overlook. The six-month clock starts ticking when you click "submit" on your complete application, not when you first receive your invitation.

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, IRCC has generally met this target for straightforward applications without complications. The department has invested heavily in digital infrastructure and increased staffing levels at key processing centers in Ottawa, Sydney (Nova Scotia), and Centralized Intake Office locations. As a result, many applicants with clean backgrounds and complete documentation receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) in as little as two to four months from submission.

However, applications involving more complex backgrounds — including extensive international travel history, previous immigration refusals, medical conditions requiring assessment, or security screening triggers — may extend well beyond the six-month standard. Some applicants in 2025 have reported timelines of eight to twelve months for particularly complex cases, though these remain the exception rather than the rule.

It's worth noting that IRCC publishes updated processing time estimates on their official website, broken down by program stream. As of early 2025, the posted processing time for Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades programs remains at six months for most applicants. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications through Express Entry typically follow similar timelines once the provincial nomination is secured.

The Full Timeline Breakdown

ITA to Application Submission: 60 Days

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, you have exactly 60 calendar days to prepare and submit your complete application. This is a fixed, non-negotiable window — IRCC does not grant extensions except in extraordinary circumstances with documented proof (such as a medical emergency). You control this phase entirely by how efficiently you gather and upload your documents.

During this 60-day period, you must collect police certificates from every country where you've lived for six months or more since age 18, obtain updated reference letters from employers, complete your medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician, and prepare all supporting documents including proof of funds, language test results, and educational credential assessments. Many applicants underestimate how long it takes to obtain police certificates from certain countries — some jurisdictions require four to eight weeks for processing, so it's critical to begin this process immediately upon receiving your ITA.

Application Submission to Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)

After you submit your application and pay the required fees (currently $1,365 CAD for the principal applicant, plus $1,365 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $230 per dependent child), IRCC typically issues an Acknowledgement of Receipt within 1-5 business days. In 2025, most applicants report receiving their AOR within 24-48 hours due to improved automated systems.

The AOR is a critical milestone because it confirms IRCC has received your complete application, assigns your unique application number (beginning with the letter "E" for Express Entry), and officially starts the processing clock for the six-month service standard. Your AOR email will include your application number, which you'll use for all future correspondence and status checks.

Biometrics Collection and Processing

Most Express Entry applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photo) unless they are exempt due to age or previous biometrics collection within the past ten years. After receiving your AOR, IRCC will send a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL), typically within one to two weeks, instructing you to visit a designated Service Canada location (if you're in Canada) or a Visa Application Centre (if you're outside Canada) within 30 days.

In 2025, biometrics appointments are generally available within a few days in major Canadian cities, though rural areas may require more advance booking. Once you provide your biometrics, the results are typically transmitted to IRCC within 24-48 hours. The actual clearance process — where IRCC reviews your biometrics against criminal and immigration databases — usually takes 2-4 weeks. Applicants with no criminal history or immigration violations typically clear this stage quickly.

Medical Examination Processing

Your medical examination must be completed by an IRCC-approved panel physician. The exam includes a physical examination, chest X-ray (for applicants 11 years and older), and blood and urine tests if indicated. Panel physicians upload results directly to IRCC's eMedical system, usually within 24-48 hours of your appointment.

IRCC's medical officers typically review straightforward medical results within 2-3 weeks. However, if your chest X-ray shows any abnormalities — even old, healed lesions — you may be required to undergo additional testing, including sputum cultures for tuberculosis. This is particularly common for applicants from countries with high TB prevalence, including India, China, Philippines, Pakistan, and many African nations. Additional TB screening can add 8-12 weeks to your processing time while cultures are grown and analyzed.

Other medical conditions that may trigger extended review include uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease requiring dialysis, or any condition that might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on Canadian health or social services. Medical inadmissibility is a complex area, and applicants with significant health conditions should consider consulting an immigration lawyer before applying.

Background Checks: Criminality and Security

Background checks represent the most variable component of Express Entry processing times. IRCC conducts two distinct types of checks: criminality screening and security screening.

Criminality checks verify whether you have a criminal record in Canada or any country where you've lived. For most applicants from Western countries with integrated law enforcement databases (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, European Union nations), criminality checks clear within days to a few weeks. IRCC has direct access to many international criminal databases through information-sharing agreements.

However, applicants from countries without robust database integration may experience longer waits while IRCC verifies the authenticity of police certificates and cross-references information. Any discrepancies between your declared travel history and passport stamps, or any indication of criminal history (including arrests without convictions in some cases), will trigger a more detailed review by an IRCC officer.

Security screening is conducted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This process checks whether you pose a security risk to Canada, including ties to organizations involved in terrorism, espionage, subversion, or serious criminality. Security screening timelines vary dramatically based on your background.

In 2025, applicants with straightforward backgrounds — limited international travel, residence primarily in low-risk countries, no military service, and no connections to regions of security concern — typically clear security screening within 4-8 weeks. However, applicants who have lived in, traveled extensively to, or have family connections in countries designated as higher security risk may wait 6-12 months or longer for comprehensive security screening.

It's important to understand that extended security screening is not an indication that IRCC suspects you of wrongdoing — it is simply standard procedure for certain profiles. IRCC cannot expedite security screening, as it is conducted by separate security agencies with their own protocols and timelines.

Passport Request (PPR) to COPR

The Passport Request is the most exciting milestone in your Express Entry journey — it means your application has been approved in principle and IRCC is ready to issue your Confirmation of Permanent Residence. When you receive your PPR email, you'll be instructed to either mail your passport to a designated IRCC office (for applicants outside Canada or those with passports from certain countries) or submit passport copies and photos digitally through your online account (for many applicants already in Canada).

In 2025, IRCC has expanded digital passport submission options significantly, reducing processing times. For digital submissions, many applicants receive their COPR document within 1-2 weeks. For physical passport submissions, processing typically takes 2-4 weeks, plus mailing time in both directions. Your passport will be returned with a counterfoil (visa sticker) and your COPR document, which includes your photo, personal details, and the expiry date by which you must land in Canada.

Landing and PR Card Application

You must make your first landing in Canada (or confirm your permanent residence if you're already in Canada) before your COPR expiry date. The expiry date is typically one year from the date of your medical examination or the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first. This means if your medical exam was completed in January 2025, your COPR will likely expire in January 2026.

During your landing appointment (at a port of entry if arriving from abroad, or at a local IRCC office if you're already in Canada), an officer will verify your identity, confirm the information on your COPR, and officially grant you permanent resident status. The officer will sign your COPR, and you'll sign it as well. At this point, you are officially a permanent resident of Canada.

Your PR card application is automatically initiated during the landing process. The officer will confirm your Canadian mailing address where your PR card will be sent. In 2025, most applicants receive their PR card within 4-8 weeks of landing, though IRCC's official processing time remains up to 77 days. You can check your PR card application status through your IRCC online account.

What Causes Delays?

Incomplete Applications

Incomplete applications are the single most common cause of processing delays, and they are entirely within your control to prevent. Missing documents, documents that don't fully satisfy IRCC's requirements, or documents in languages other than English or French without certified translations will result in IRCC issuing an additional document request (ADR).

When IRCC issues an ADR, your application processing is effectively paused until you provide the requested documents. You typically have 30 days to respond to an ADR, and once you submit the additional documents, it may take several weeks before an officer reviews them and resumes processing your application. This can easily add 6-10 weeks to your overall timeline.

Common reasons for ADRs in 2025 include: employment reference letters that don't include all required information (job title, duties, hours worked per week, salary, employment dates), police certificates that have expired (they must be less than six months old when you submit your application), proof of funds that doesn't clearly show the required amount available for at least six months, or educational documents that don't match the information in your Educational Credential Assessment.

Medical Holds and Additional Testing

If your medical examination reveals a condition that requires further assessment, your application will be placed on hold pending additional tests or a medical review by IRCC's health branch. The most common trigger for medical holds is abnormal chest X-rays, which may indicate current or past tuberculosis infection.

For applicants from countries with high TB prevalence, IRCC may require sputum culture tests even if your chest X-ray shows only minor abnormalities or old, healed lesions. Sputum cultures must be grown in a laboratory over 8-12 weeks to definitively rule out active TB infection. During this period, your application remains on hold, and there is nothing you can do to expedite the process.

Other conditions that may trigger medical holds include: uncontrolled diabetes with complications, severe cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, certain mental health conditions, or any communicable disease of public health significance. IRCC's medical officers assess whether your condition might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on Canadian health or social services (defined as costs exceeding approximately $24,000 CAD over five years, or services that would deprive Canadian citizens or permanent residents of timely services).

Criminality Screening Issues

Any prior criminal history — including arrests without convictions in some cases — triggers a more detailed review by IRCC officers. Even minor offenses from many years ago must be disclosed on your application. Failure to disclose criminal history, even if you believe it's minor or irrelevant, constitutes misrepresentation and can result in your application being refused and a five-year ban on applying to Canada.

If you have criminal history, IRCC will assess whether you are criminally inadmissible to Canada. Factors considered include the severity of the offense, how long ago it occurred, whether you completed your sentence and any probation, and whether you have been rehabilitated. For some offenses, you may be deemed rehabilitated if at least five or ten years have passed since you completed your sentence. For more serious offenses, you may need to apply for criminal rehabilitation before you can be approved for permanent residence.

Applicants with any criminal history should consult an immigration lawyer before applying through Express Entry to understand whether they are likely to be found inadmissible and what steps they can take to address the issue.

Security Screening Delays

Extended security screening is one of the most frustrating causes of delays because it is entirely outside your control and IRCC cannot provide specific timelines or updates. Security screening is conducted by CSIS and CBSA, not by IRCC officers, and these agencies do not share details of their processes or timelines for security reasons.

Factors that may trigger extended security screening include: residence in or extensive travel to countries designated as higher security risk, military service (particularly in certain countries), employment in sensitive industries (defense, intelligence, certain government positions), family members with security concerns, or previous immigration violations or refusals from Canada or other countries.

In 2025, applicants affected by extended security screening have reported wait times ranging from 6 to 18 months beyond the standard six-month processing time. Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite this process. Submitting multiple webform inquiries or contacting your Member of Parliament will not speed up security screening — these agencies work at their own pace according to their own protocols.

High Application Volumes and IRCC Capacity

IRCC's processing times fluctuate based on overall application volumes and departmental capacity. After the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC faced significant backlogs across all immigration programs. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the department made substantial investments in digital infrastructure, hired additional officers, and implemented process improvements to reduce backlogs.

By 2025, Express Entry processing times have largely stabilized and returned to pre-pandemic norms for most applicants. However, periodic surges in application volumes — such as after large Express Entry draws or changes to program eligibility — can temporarily slow processing. IRCC publishes updated processing time estimates on their website, and these should be consulted for the most current information.

How to Check Your Application Status

The primary way to check your Express Entry application status is through your IRCC secure account (the same account you used to submit your application). Log in and navigate to your application to see the current status of each component: medical exam, biometrics, background check, and final decision.

The IRCC online portal shows the last action taken on your file and displays any messages or document requests from IRCC. You should check your account regularly (at least weekly) to ensure you don't miss any document requests or important updates. IRCC will also send email notifications when there are updates to your application, but these emails sometimes go to spam folders, so checking your account directly is more reliable.

The status indicators in your account are somewhat general and don't provide detailed information about exactly what stage your application is at. Common status messages include "We are processing your application," "We are reviewing whether you meet the eligibility requirements," and "We are processing your background check." These messages can remain unchanged for weeks or even months, which can be frustrating but is normal.

If you believe there is an unusual delay — for example, if your application has been pending significantly longer than IRCC's published service standards and you haven't received any communication explaining the delay — you can submit a webform inquiry through the IRCC website. Navigate to the IRCC webform page, select "Permanent Residence" and then "Express Entry," and provide your application details and a brief description of your inquiry.

IRCC typically responds to webform inquiries within 10-15 business days, though responses are often generic and may simply confirm that your application is in queue for processing. Submitting multiple webforms in a short period is not recommended, as it does not expedite processing and may actually slow down your application by requiring officers to respond to inquiries rather than process applications.

GCMS Notes: Understanding Your Application File

Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes are the internal IRCC records for your application. These notes contain detailed information about every action taken on your file, which officer reviewed it and when, what decisions were made, and what concerns or issues (if any) have been identified. GCMS notes are not automatically provided to applicants, but you have the right to request them under Canada's Access to Information and Privacy Act (ATIP).

To request GCMS notes, you must submit an ATIP request through the IRCC website or by mail. The request costs $5 CAD and typically takes 30 days to process, though during busy periods it may take up to 45 days. If you're outside Canada, you'll need to have a representative in Canada (such as a friend, family member, or immigration consultant) submit the request on your behalf, as ATIP requests can only be processed for individuals physically in Canada or through authorized representatives.

GCMS notes are particularly helpful if you're experiencing an unusual delay and want to understand why. The notes will show you exactly what stage your application is at, whether it's been assigned to an officer, whether any concerns have been raised, and what the next steps are. Common information revealed in GCMS notes includes: whether your security screening has been initiated or completed, whether your medical results have been reviewed and cleared, whether any documents are missing or require further verification, and whether your application has been flagged for interview (rare in Express Entry but possible in complex cases).

Many applicants order GCMS notes around the 4-5 month mark if their application seems to be progressing slowly, or after receiving an unexpected document request. The notes can provide peace of mind by confirming that your application is progressing normally, or they can alert you to issues that need to be addressed.

Tips for Minimizing Your Processing Time

While you cannot control all factors affecting your Express Entry processing time, there are several steps you can take to minimize delays:

Submit a complete, accurate application: This is the single most important factor. Review IRCC's document checklist carefully and ensure every required document is included and meets all specifications. Have a friend or family member review your application before submission to catch any errors or omissions.

Start your police certificates early: Some countries take 6-8 weeks or longer to issue police certificates. Begin this process as soon as you receive your ITA, or even before if you're confident you'll receive an invitation soon. Police certificates must be less than six months old when you submit your application, so timing is important.

Complete your medical exam promptly: Book your appointment with a panel physician as soon as you receive your ITA. Medical results are typically valid for 12 months, and your COPR expiry date will be tied to your medical exam date, so completing it early gives you maximum flexibility.

Respond immediately to any document requests: If IRCC issues an ADR, respond as quickly as possible with complete, clear documents. Don't wait until the deadline — every day counts.

Maintain accurate contact information: Ensure your email address and mailing address in your IRCC account are current and check your email regularly (including spam folders) for IRCC communications. Missing a document request or PPR email can cause significant delays.

Be patient with background checks: If your application is delayed due to security screening, understand that this is beyond your control and submitting multiple inquiries will not speed up the process. Focus on preparing for your move to Canada in other ways while you wait.

What to Do While You Wait

The months waiting for your Express Entry application to be processed can feel long, but you can use this time productively to prepare for your move to Canada:

Research your destination city thoroughly, including neighborhoods, cost of living, job market conditions, and community resources. Join online forums and social media groups for newcomers to your chosen city to start building connections before you arrive.

If you don't already have a job offer, begin networking with employers in your field. Update your resume to Canadian format standards, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and start reaching out to recruiters and companies in your industry. Many employers are willing to conduct initial interviews with candidates who have received ITAs or are waiting for COPRs.

Research credential recognition requirements for your profession. Some regulated professions in Canada (such as engineering, nursing, teaching, and trades) require additional licensing or certification beyond your foreign credentials. Understanding these requirements early allows you to begin the process as soon as you land.

Build your financial cushion beyond the minimum proof of funds requirement. The more savings you have when you arrive, the more flexibility you'll have to find the right job rather than accepting the first offer out of desperation.

Learn about Canadian culture, workplace norms, and social customs. Understanding cultural differences will help you integrate more quickly and avoid common misunderstandings in your early months in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expedite my Express Entry application if I have a job offer?

Having a valid job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) gives you additional points in the Express Entry system and may help you receive an ITA more quickly, but it does not expedite processing once your application is submitted. All Express Entry applications are processed according to the same service standards regardless of whether you have a job offer. However, having a job offer may reduce the likelihood of certain delays, as it demonstrates strong ties to Canada and clear settlement plans.

What happens if my passport expires while my application is being processed?

If your passport will expire before your application is likely to be finalized (remember, your COPR expiry date will be tied to your passport expiry or medical exam date, whichever is sooner), you should renew your passport as soon as possible. Once you receive your new passport, you must inform IRCC by submitting a webform with copies of your new passport biographical page. IRCC will update your file with the new passport information. It's better to renew your passport early in the process rather than waiting, as this gives you maximum validity on your COPR when it's issued.

Can I travel outside Canada while my Express Entry application is being processed?

If you're applying from outside Canada, you can travel freely while your application is being processed — there are no restrictions on your movement. However, ensure you can access your email and IRCC account while traveling, as you may receive document requests or your PPR at any time. If you're in Canada on a temporary status (such as a work permit or study permit) while your Express Entry application is being processed, you can travel outside Canada, but you must ensure your temporary status remains valid for re-entry. If your work permit or study permit expires while you're outside Canada, you may not be allowed to return until your Express Entry application is finalized. Always carry proof of your pending Express Entry application when traveling, and consult with an immigration lawyer if you have concerns about maintaining your status.