For thousands of Indians planning a move to Canada, the latest immigration processing data has delivered both hope and anxiety.Fresh figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between May 20 and 22 show a sharp divide in how quickly different applications are being processed. While some categories such as work permits and parents’ Super Visas have become significantly faster, others including citizenship applications and visitor record extensions are getting buried under mounting backlogs.The latest numbers are based on the time IRCC took to process 80 per cent of complete applications and experts say the fluctuations are among the sharpest seen this year.Relief for workers and familiesThere is encouraging news for Indians seeking temporary entry into Canada.Processing time for inland work permits, including extensions filed within Canada, has dropped sharply over the past few months. Compared to late March, applicants are now waiting roughly 47 days less, with average timelines currently hovering around 206 to 212 days.For Indians applying for work permits from outside Canada, the wait remains relatively stable at about nine weeks, offering some comfort to professionals looking for opportunities in sectors facing labour shortages.One of the biggest improvements has come in Super Visas, the long-term multiple-entry visas issued to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.Story continues below this adFor Indian applicants, processing timelines have fallen by nearly 97 days since January. In some recent updates, the wait has come down to around 138 days, much lower than earlier peaks that had crossed 200 days.The improvement is significant for Indian families as the Super Visa allows parents to stay in Canada for up to two years at a stretch, provided medical insurance and financial support requirements are met.Citizenship and PR pathways slowing downHowever, the picture is far from rosy across all immigration streams.Citizenship certificate applications are facing severe delays, with more than 14,000 additional applicants reportedly added to the queue within a month. Processing timelines are now stretching to nearly a year in several categories.Story continues below this adVisitor record extensions, used by people already in Canada who want to extend their stay, are also approaching the one-year mark. The delays are affecting tourists, students and temporary workers whose plans often depend on timely approvals.The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), one of the most sought-after permanent residency pathways under Express Entry, is also witnessing growing backlogs. Immigration observers say the swelling inventory could spell longer waits for skilled Indian professionals in sectors such as IT, healthcare and engineering.Several family sponsorship and humanitarian categories have shown only marginal improvement, while some remain virtually stagnant.Why are timelines changing so dramatically?Canadian immigration authorities have linked the fluctuations to changing application volumes, staffing adjustments, digital processing upgrades and policy changes aimed at controlling immigration targets.Story continues below this adCanada has recently tightened rules around temporary residents and international students even as it continues to deal with labour shortages in several industries.Immigration experts say incomplete documentation, lengthy security screening and the massive volume of applications from India continue to impact timelines heavily.India remains among Canada’s biggest source countries for international students, workers and visitors.Also Read | Canada’s updates rules for post-graduation work permit: Here’s everything international students need to knowWhat Indian applicants should knowDespite the backlogs in permanent residency and citizenship streams, some temporary categories remain comparatively faster.Story continues below this adStudy permits from India are currently taking around four weeks in many cases, while visitor visas are being processed in roughly 27 days.Experts advise applicants to be extra cautious while filing paperwork as even minor documentation gaps can trigger major delays.Applicants are also being encouraged to regularly monitor their files through the IRCC portal and seek professional advice in complicated cases involving citizenship or Express Entry backlogs.For families hoping for reunions and professionals chasing careers abroad, Canada still remains a major destination. But the latest figures show that timing, paperwork and patience now matter more than ever.