PR & Citizenship Update — July 20, 2026
Monday, July 20, 2026
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets 380,000 new permanent residents per year, with economic immigrants accounting for approximately 244,700 of that total annually.
As of March 9, 2026, Express Entry processing times have slipped to 7 months for both Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker programs, exceeding the 6-month service standard.
Canadian citizenship grant processing has modestly improved to approximately 13 months (down from 14), but over 320,000 applicants remain in the backlog, and citizenship record searches now take up to 17 months.
What You Should Do
- If you applied through Express Entry (CEC or FSW), check your application status on your IRCC online account at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html — if your file has exceeded 7 months since you submitted your e-APR, consider submitting a webform inquiry to IRCC flagging the delay.
- If you are awaiting a citizenship grant decision and it has been longer than 13 months since your application was acknowledged, submit a service request via the IRCC web form at ircc.canada.ca/english/contacts/web-form.asp to escalate your file.
- If you need a citizenship record search (e.g., for proof of citizenship history), plan for up to 17 months of processing time as of March 2026 — factor this into any deadlines for passports, sponsorships, or legal proceedings.
- If you are preparing for a citizenship ceremony, practice the Oath of Citizenship in advance (available at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony.html), confirm your ceremony format (virtual or in-person) from your IRCC invitation, and ensure you have the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form ready to sign.
- If you are planning an Express Entry application under category-based selection (French, healthcare, trades, or STEM), note that CRS cutoffs for these draws are currently in the 430–460 range — check your CRS score and category eligibility at canada.ca/express-entry before entering the pool.
Sources
Topics Covered
Citizenship Processing Improvements: As of March 2026, citizenship grant processing improved modestly to 13 months (from 14), and citizenship certificates now take approximately 10 months. However, over 320,000 applicants remain in the grant backlog and citizenship record searches have worsened to 17 months.
Category-Based Selection System: Category-based Express Entry draws in 2026 for French, healthcare, trades, and STEM candidates are clearing at CRS scores in the 430–460 range, significantly below the general draw cutoff of 470–490.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada's 2026-2028 plan holds the annual permanent resident target steady at 380,000, with economic immigrants comprising the largest share at approximately 244,700 per year. Temporary resident targets are set at 385,000 for 2026, declining to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.
CRS Cutoff Trends: In 2026, general-category Express Entry draws are hovering around CRS 470–490, while category-based draws (French, healthcare, trades, STEM) are dipping into the 430–460 range.
More PR & Citizenship Updates
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PR & Citizenship Update — July 9, 2026
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