Canada extends study permit wait time for Nigerians to 9 weeks

Nigerians seeking to study in Canada will experience longer wait times, as the processing period for study permits has been extended to an estimated nine weeks. This represents a one-week increase from the previous eight-week estimate, according to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The IRCC updated its temporary residence processing estimates on August 19, 2026. While the study permit processing time for Nigerians saw an increase, the processing time for work permit applications from Nigeria remained unchanged at nine weeks.

These updated figures are particularly significant for Nigerian applicants, who are advised to factor the extended processing period into their study plans. The IRCC recommends that prospective international students apply for their study permits as soon as they receive their letter of acceptance, acknowledging that processing times can vary across different visa offices.

The IRCC noted that processing times are estimates and can fluctuate based on application volumes, processing capacity, and the complexity of individual applications. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional verification may take longer to process. The update also revealed changes for applicants from other countries, with Pakistan seeing a significant decrease in work permit processing times but an increase in visitor visa processing times.