Nigerians applying for Canadian study permits will now have to wait an estimated nine weeks for their applications to be processed, following the latest update by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The new processing time represents a one-week increase from the previous estimate of eight weeks. The figures come from IRCC’s August 19, 2026, update to its temporary residence processing-time estimates, which the department revises regularly based on application volumes, processing capacity, and other operational factors.
According to data tracked by immigration reporting outlets, study permit applications submitted from Nigeria are now estimated to take nine weeks.
This places Nigerian applicants among those facing longer waits compared with several other major source countries in the same update.
For context, the latest published estimates showed study permit processing times of approximately seven weeks for applications from within Canada, five weeks from India and the United States, seven weeks from Pakistan, and four weeks from the Philippines.
IRCC’s published processing times reflect the 80th percentile of recently completed applications, meaning roughly 80% of cases are finalized within the stated period while about 20% may take longer.
These are estimates only and do not guarantee a decision within the given timeframe. Actual processing can vary depending on the completeness of the application, the need for additional documents or security checks, biometrics collection, medical exams, and workload at the relevant visa office.
The August 19 update also recorded increases in other temporary residence categories for Nigerian applicants in some reports, though the primary confirmed change for study permits is the one-week rise to nine weeks.
Prospective students are advised to check the official IRCC processing-time tool on the Government of Canada website for the most current figures before applying or planning travel and study start dates, as times can shift weekly.
Applicants from Nigeria should ensure their submissions are complete—including strong statements of purpose, proof of funds, and evidence of ties to home—to minimize delays, as study permit refusal rates from the country have historically been among the higher ones globally.
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