IRCC Finalized More Than 1.5 Million Temporary Residence Applications in 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada finalized 1,566,455 temporary residence applications between January 1 and June 30, 2026, according to the latest figures provided in the supplied IRCC data.

At the same time, 401,280 temporary residence applications remained pending as of June 30.

Visitor visa applications represented the largest portion of finalized temporary residence files, with 1,306,055 applications finalized during the period.

The figures provide a snapshot of the scale of Canada’s immigration application-processing system during the first half of 2026.

Canada’s Temporary Residence Processing Numbers

Category	Finalized	Pending
Temporary residence – total	1,566,455	401,280
Study permits	99,075	36,520
Work permits	161,325	27,655
Visitor visas	1,306,055	337,100

IRCC notes that its figures are approximate and rounded to the closest multiple of five in its reporting system.

Visitor Visas Account for the Largest Share

Of the more than 1.5 million temporary residence applications finalized during the first six months of 2026, more than 1.3 million were visitor visa applications.

IRCC reported:

• 1,306,055 visitor visa applications finalized
• 337,100 visitor visa applications not yet finalized

Processing times can vary depending on whether an application is complete, how quickly biometrics and documents are provided, whether additional security screening is necessary and the volume of applications from a particular country.

This means the total number of applications processed does not necessarily indicate how quickly an individual applicant’s case will be finalized.

Study Permit Processing in 2026

IRCC finalized 99,075 study permit applications during the first half of the year, while 36,520 applications remained pending.

The department notes that student application volumes can fluctuate because many international students begin their studies during the fall or winter periods.

IRCC has also highlighted expedited processing for certain applicants, including a two-week processing option for eligible PhD-level study permit applicants under Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy.

Applicants should still check whether they actually qualify for an expedited stream rather than assuming that all study permit applications receive priority processing.

Work Permit Applications Continue to Make Up a Major Share

IRCC finalized 161,325 work permit applications between January and June 2026, with 27,655 applications not yet finalized.

The department identifies several circumstances in which work permits may receive faster processing, including certain cases under the Global Skills Strategy and specific measures designed to address labour-market needs.

IRCC also highlighted a 14-day work permit processing measure for up to 5,000 licensed doctors with qualifying job offers and provincial nominations.

The existence of faster processing measures does not mean every work permit applicant will receive a decision within the same timeframe.

Why are Some Applications Waiting?

One of the most important points in IRCC’s explanation is that application processing is affected by available spaces under annual immigration planning targets.

IRCC explains that if more applications are received for a program than there are spaces available under the relevant levels plan, some applications may have to wait until space becomes available.

Other factors can also extend processing times, including:

• Requests for additional information.
• Verification of applicant information.
• Security screening.
• Missing or incomplete documentation.
• Application volumes.
• Biometrics requirements.

IRCC’s processing system therefore involves more than simply processing applications in the order they arrive.

How IRCC Processes an Application

IRCC describes the process in three broad stages.

Step 1: The Application is Checked for Completeness

If an application is incomplete, IRCC can return it to the applicant.

This makes document preparation an important part of the application process.

Step 2: IRCC Processes the Application or Waits for Available Space

Where space is available within the applicable planning framework, IRCC proceeds with processing. Where program capacity is constrained, an application may wait until space becomes available.

Step 3: IRCC Finalizes the Application

An application can ultimately be approved, refused or withdrawn.

This structure explains why a high number of finalized applications does not necessarily mean that every applicant will experience short processing times.

What the Figures Mean for Applicants

The first-half 2026 figures show that IRCC continues to manage a very large temporary residence workload.

For applicants, the most important lesson is that processing statistics are not individual processing-time guarantees.

A person applying for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit should check the current IRCC processing-time information for the specific application type and location.

Applicants should also make sure their applications are complete and that required documents and biometrics are submitted promptly.

Temporary Residence and Canada’s immigration Planning

IRCC’s temporary residence system is connected to Canada’s broader immigration planning framework.

The department states that annual Immigration Levels Plans set targets for permanent residents and for the arrival of certain temporary residents, while visitor visas are not subject to the same arrival target structure.

IRCC also emphasizes that application volumes can change continuously, meaning the number of pending files can rise even while thousands of applications are being finalized.

What to Take Away from the Latest IRCC Data

The first-half 2026 figures show three clear trends:

First, IRCC finalized more than 1.5 million temporary residence applications.

Second, visitor visas accounted for the overwhelming majority of finalized temporary residence files.

Third, more than 400,000 applications remained pending, highlighting the continuing scale of the department’s workload.

For applicants, these figures are best understood as a snapshot of IRCC’s overall processing system rather than a prediction of an individual application’s outcome.

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