Canada extends study permit and visitor visa wait times for Nigerian applicants

Nigerian applicants seeking to study or visit Canada are now facing longer waiting periods for their applications, according to updated figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on September 16. The federal agency reported that study permit processing time climbed from nine weeks to ten weeks, while visitor visa applications now require an estimated 87 days to process, up from the previous 84-day timeline.

The increases mark a shift in application timelines that directly affect thousands of Nigerians planning to relocate for education or leisure travel. Work permits, by contrast, remained stable at ten weeks during the same reporting period.

The agency emphasised that these timeframes are estimates and actual processing may vary depending on individual circumstances and application completeness. Super visa processing—designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian residents—also saw a slight increase, rising from 44 days to 46 days.

The September 16 update represents weekly changes tracked by the immigration authority to provide applicants with current expectations for their applications. IRCC cautions that processing times are subject to change and that applicants should not rely exclusively on these figures when planning their timelines.

The agency recommends that prospective students and visitors account for additional time beyond the stated estimates when making travel or relocation decisions.