PNP Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these are the latest processing time for a PNP application for permanent residence, if it was submitted today. It would take approximately 7 months to process if submitted via Express Entry, and about 13 months to process if submitted through a non-Express Entry PNP.

IRCC updates their PNP processing times data every month at which point the Moving2Canada tracker is also updated. Our last update was made on May 5, 2026.

Accuracy Check: Comparing IRCC’s Data to Immitracker

To fact-check IRCC’s data, Moving2Canada collaborates with Immitracker – a leading website for processing times data based on real processing times submitted by people going through the immigration process.

According to Immitracker, if you submitted your Express Entry-aligned PNP application today, these are the possibilities for how long it could take to receive your passport request or PPR (one of the near-final stages):

• Best Case Scenario: 75 days
• Average Scenario: 173 days
• Worst Case Scenario: 271 days

According to Immitracker, if you submitted your non-Express Entry PNP application today, these are the possibilities for how long it could take to receive your passport request or PPR (one of the near-final stages):

• Best Case Scenario: 322 days
• Average Scenario: 407 days
• Worst Case Scenario: 492 days

Immitracker’s data is more or less in line with IRCC’s stated Express Entry processing times (6-7 months).

One important note here: crowdsourced data has limitations. Not every applicant updates their profile consistently, and processing timelines can vary significantly depending on the province, immigration stream, background checks, and family composition. Still, tools like Immitracker can help paint a more realistic picture of how applications are moving in the real world.

How do PNP Processing Times Work

There are a few important nuances to understanding Provincial Nominee Program processing times.

(1) Express Entry PNPs vs non-Express Entry PNPs

Some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system.

If you receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream, you attach that nomination to your Express Entry profile. This gives you an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which virtually guarantees you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Once you receive your ITA, you apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. This is why Express Entry-aligned PNPs generally have much faster federal processing times, often around six to eight months.

Other PNP streams are not aligned with Express Entry. In these situations, you apply for permanent residence outside the Express Entry system after receiving your nomination. These applications are processed through a separate stream and usually take significantly longe, often more than a year.

(2) PNP processing actually happens in two stages

This is one of the biggest points of confusion for newcomers.

The processing times listed on this page only refer to the federal permanent residence application stage. They do not include the time it takes to apply to the province itself.

In reality, the PNP process usually looks something like this:

1. Determine your eligibility for a PNP stream.
2. Submit your application to the province or territory.
3. Receive your provincial nomination certificate, if approved.
4. Submit your permanent residence application to the federal government.

The first three stages can take a long time. Different provinces use different systems, priorities, and timelines. Some PNP streams process applications fairly quickly, while others can take many months before a nomination is issued.

In other words: the true “PNP timeline” is longer than the federal processing times shown by IRCC.

What Affects PNP Processing Times

Several different factors can affect how quickly a Provincial Nominee Program application is processed. Some of these factors are outside your control: IRCC staffing levels, application backlogs, immigration targets, and broader processing priorities.

Major world events can also create delays. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many Canadian immigration programs experienced major processing slowdowns.

Other factors are directly connected to your own application. Common factors that can affect PNP processing times include:

• the completeness of your application,
• medical exam results and any required follow-up testing,
• requests for additional documents,
• background and security screening complexity,
• countries where you have lived or travelled,
• and the number of accompanying family members included in your application.

For PNP applicants, there’s another important variable: the province itself. Different provinces and different PNP streams move at very different speeds. A healthcare-focused stream in one province may process much faster than a general skilled worker stream somewhere else. This won’t affect the federal processing stage, but it’s important to factor in when considering a PNP.

Applications that are complete, well-organized, and easy for officers to review generally move more smoothly through the system. That said, even strong applications sometimes experience delays, and IRCC usually will not proactively explain why your application is taking longer than average.

How to Avoid PNP Processing Delays

The single most important thing you can do is submit a complete application that clearly demonstrates you meet all program requirements. This is the key.

Many immigration delays happen because documents are missing, inconsistent, expired, unclear, or contradictory. Provincial Nominee Programs can be especially document-heavy, since you often need to satisfy both provincial and federal requirements during different stages of the process.

There are also a few practical ways to reduce the risk of delays:

• Try to obtain police certificates as early as possible, especially if you’ve lived in multiple countries. Some countries can take weeks or even months to issue these documents.
• Complete your medical exam promptly once requested. Medical results are generally valid for 12 months.
• Check your IRCC account regularly in case additional documents are requested, and respond quickly if IRCC or the province contacts you for clarification.
• You should also keep your contact information updated throughout the process. Missing an important request from IRCC can create significant delays.

Most importantly, avoid rushing your application.

A carefully prepared application is almost always better than a fast but incomplete one. Double-check everything before submitting – then check it again!

And honestly? If you’re only going to speak with an immigration consultant once during the immigration process, this is probably the moment to do it. You can book a consultation with our in-house consultant here.

PNP Processing Times FAQ

Is PR guaranteed after getting a PNP?

No. Receiving a provincial nomination does not guarantee permanent residence approval.

A provincial nomination allows you to apply for permanent residence to the federal government. But the federal government still needs to review your application, complete background and medical checks, and confirm that you meet all immigration requirements.

In other words: a nomination is a major step forward, but it is not the finish line.

Which province has the easiest PNP?

There’s no single “easiest” Provincial Nominee Program. The best PNP depends entirely on your background and experience. Most PNPs are primarily looking for one or more of the following:

• a job offer in the province,
• work experience in an in-demand occupation,
• previous work or study experience in the province,
• or entrepreneurial/business experience.

A stream that works perfectly for one person may be completely inaccessible for another. This is why tools like the Moving2Canada PNP Live Tracker can be helpful. It allows you to compare different streams and identify options that match your profile.

How long does the PNP process take?

The full Provincial Nominee Program process usually involves four stages:

1. Find out your eligibility: Use the PNP Live Tracker to track available PNPs and determine your eligibility for the many options available.
2. Complete a Provincial Nominee Program application: Submit your application to the province or territory.
3. Receive your Provincial Nomination certificate: If your application is complete and you are eligible, you will receive an official Provincial Nomination certificate.
4. Submit your permanent residence application: Apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status. If you were nominated through an Express Entry-aligned PNP, you can apply through Express Entry. Otherwise, you must submit a paper-based application.

Because of these multiple stages, the full PNP process can easily take more than a year from start to finish depending on the province, stream, and type of application.

IRCC Processing Times Overview

Check out the processing times for these immigration programs – and more!

Check the latest processing times for all programs.