Work Permit (LMIA-based)
Processing Time Trend
Processing Times by Country
Showing 76 of 76 countries with available data
| Processing Time | ||
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 22 weeks | ~5 months |
| Algeria | 10 weeks | ~2 months |
| Argentina | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Australia | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Bangladesh | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Belgium | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Brazil | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Burkina Faso | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| CA | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Cameroon | 9 weeks | ~2 months |
| Chile | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| China | 9 weeks | ~2 months |
| Colombia | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Congo (DRC) | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 10 weeks | ~2 months |
| Cuba | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Dominican Republic | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Ecuador | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Egypt | 36 weeks | ~8 months |
| El Salvador | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| France | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Germany | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Ghana | 33 weeks | ~8 months |
| Guatemala | 3 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Guinea | 12 weeks | ~3 months |
| Haiti | 9 weeks | ~2 months |
| HK | 17 weeks | ~4 months |
| Honduras | 3 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| India | 10 weeks | ~2 months |
| Indonesia | 10 weeks | ~2 months |
| Iran | 73 weeks | ~17 months |
| Ireland | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Israel | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Italy | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Jamaica | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Japan | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Jordan | 22 weeks | ~5 months |
| Kenya | 19 weeks | ~4 months |
| Kuwait | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Lebanon | 9 weeks | ~2 months |
| Madagascar | 39 weeks | ~9 months |
| Malaysia | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Mauritius | 44 weeks | ~10 months |
| Mexico | 3 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Morocco | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Nepal | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Nicaragua | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Nigeria | 16 weeks | ~4 months |
| Oman | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Pakistan | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Peru | 3 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Philippines | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Poland | 187 weeks | ~43 months |
| Portugal | 30 weeks | ~7 months |
| Qatar | 21 weeks | ~5 months |
| Romania | 31 weeks | ~7 months |
| Russia | 188 weeks | ~43 months |
| Rwanda | 22 weeks | ~5 months |
| Saudi Arabia | 4 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Senegal | 12 weeks | ~3 months |
| Serbia | 10 weeks | ~2 months |
| Singapore | 9 weeks | ~2 months |
| South Africa | 21 weeks | ~5 months |
| South Korea | 25 weeks | ~6 months |
| Spain | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Sri Lanka | 8 weeks | ~2 months |
| Taiwan | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Thailand | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Togo | 28 weeks | ~6 months |
| Tunisia | 6 weeks | ~1 month |
| Turkey | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| United Arab Emirates | 14 weeks | ~3 months |
| United Kingdom | 11 weeks | ~3 months |
| United States | 5 weeks | ~1 month |
| Vietnam | 7 weeks | ~2 months |
| Zimbabwe | 24 weeks | ~6 months |
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Frequently Asked Questions
LMIA-based work permit processing times vary by country. The total timeline includes the LMIA application (typically 1-4 months) plus the work permit application processing time shown on this page.
No. The LMIA and work permit are separate processes. Your employer applies for the LMIA first, then you apply for the work permit once the LMIA is approved. Both have their own processing timelines.
Submit a complete application with all required documents, get your medical exam and biometrics done promptly, and ensure your LMIA is valid. Incomplete applications are a major cause of delays.
Related Programs
Processing times tracked from official IRCC data. Historical trends and analysis by Northy. View on IRCC (opens in new tab)