published on 23 February 2026 @ 4:26 pm · COMMENT

Visa Delays Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is warning that visa processing times are lengthening across nearly all temporary and permanent residence streams, just months before Canada hosts 13 World Cup matches. Visitor visa backlogs have risen 27% since November 2025, while work-permit extensions now average over 200 days.

The delays are linked to a 20% staffing cut and a surge in applications tied to the tournament, which is expected to draw more than 20 million foreign visitors. Categories hardest hit include spousal sponsorships, super-visas for parents and grandparents, and work permits for hospitality staff. Some fans from qualifying countries are facing waits of 200–300 days for visitor visas.

IRCC is responding by redeploying officers to “World Cup priority hubs” and expanding weekend overtime, but service-level targets may still be missed. Tour operators, universities, and employers are being advised to submit applications immediately, flag urgent cases, and build at least a 12-week buffer into plans.

The World Cup highlights systemic pressures in Canada’s immigration system. Temporary visa surges expose the limits of staffing and processing capacity, emphasizing the need for flexible, risk-based solutions and better operational planning for high-demand events.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE