2025 August Work Permit Timeline from the US

[raindances]

I submitted my application on Aug 6 and am qualified for 2-week GSS fast processing.
It's been over three weeks and no progress has been made on the portal.

The processing for work permit in the US was posted at 3 weeks until yesterday when it was updated to 4 weeks.

I've seen two applicants back in June this year who got their approval within 10 days, so I started to wonder if my wait time is still within normal range.

Could you share your timeline if you've applied for work permit recently?

Thank you!

 

[Naturgrl]

Depends on where you have lived and citizenship because immigration/security checks can take a long time. Not much to do but wait.

What is the NOC and wage.

 

[canuck78]

I submitted my application on Aug 6 and am qualified for 2-week GSS fast processing.
It's been over three weeks and no progress has been made on the portal.

The processing for work permit in the US was posted at 3 weeks until yesterday when it was updated to 4 weeks.

I've seen two applicants back in June this year who got their approval within 10 days, so I started to wonder if my wait time is still within normal range.

Could you share your timeline if you've applied for work permit recently?

Thank you!

Huge variability in processing times for GSS from a few weeks to months. Supposed to be 2 weeks but in reality almost never 2 weeks just faster than general WP processing. Assume you are not a US citizen.

 

[raindances]

Depends on where you have lived and citizenship because immigration/security checks can take a long time. Not much to do but wait.

What is the NOC and wage.

Does NOC and wage affect the processing time?

 

[Naturgrl]

Does NOC and wage affect the processing time?

Yes. Because you say GSS but may not be processed as such.

 

[raindances]

Yes. Because you say GSS but may not be processed as such.

NOC is 21231, which is under TEER 1
Wage is higher than prevailing wage of CAD 125,008

This shouldn't be a blocker for GSS right?
The attorney I work with told me that GSS is case by case, meaning that they don't always process under GSS even if I meet all qualifications. I find that statement weird because it contradicts what IRCC suggests

 

[Naturgrl]

NOC is 21231, which is under TEER 1
Wage is higher than prevailing wage of CAD 125,008

This shouldn't be a blocker for GSS right?
The attorney I work with told me that GSS is case by case, meaning that they don't always process under GSS even if I meet all qualifications. I find that statement weird because it contradicts what IRCC suggests

Do you have approved LMIA or LMIA exemption. If LMIA then was employer approved for GSS.

 

[raindances]

Do you have approved LMIA or LMIA exemption. If LMIA then was employer approved for GSS.

It's ICT permit so it's LMIA exempted. I am not sure if employer is GSS approved.

Is GSS dependent on the company qualifications as well?

 

[Naturgrl]

It's ICT permit so it's LMIA exempted. I am not sure if employer is GSS approved.

Is GSS dependent on the company qualifications as well?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...reign/global-skills-strategy/eligibility.html

Need to read through all the requirements.

 

[raindances]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...reign/global-skills-strategy/eligibility.html

Need to read through all the requirements.

Based on the list I believe I am qualified

 

[Naturgrl]

Based on the list I believe I am qualified

But nothing you can do but wait. Most don't get 2 week processing.

 

[raindances]

But nothing you can do but wait. Most don't get 2 week processing.

It's true that nothing I can do but wait. I was hoping to understand how much time people have waited recently to have an expectation.

Wait while having no expectation is stressful. I am checking IRCC tracker 10 times a day

 

[MpJin]

I’m also waiting on a closed work permit (Francophone Mobility, LMIA exempt, NOC TEER 1), submitted from France.

- Application submitted: June 12, 2025
- Biometrics: June 13, 2025
- Family applications: open work permit for spouse + 2 study permits for children (8 and 12)
- Destination: Alberta

The immigration consultant handling my case mentioned that although my application was technically eligible for GSS fast processing, it was not routed through GSS. She said inclusion in that stream is not guaranteed.

IRCC was showing 5 weeks processing time for France (even 4 weeks for some time this summer), but it’s now been over 12 weeks and still no update.

So you’re not alone, it seems that even with GSS, some applications are taking longer than expected. I’d also be interested to hear from others who applied recently.

 

[vimalvittaladas]

I applied for GSS ICT WP with expected processing time of 2 weeks. For spouse OWP and SP for two kids. my time lines are as follows

Upfront medical. 12.08.25
Applied in IRCC site. 19.08.25
Biometric done. 22.08.25
MEP update. 05.09.25

Now status showing as background check is processing... Waiting. Anyhow seems it is not processing through GSS ICT.

 

[Naturgrl]

I applied for GSS ICT WP with expected processing time of 2 weeks. For spouse OWP and SP for two kids. my time lines are as follows

Upfront medical. 12.08.25
Applied in IRCC site. 19.08.25
Biometric done. 22.08.25
MEP update. 05.09.25

Now status showing as background check is processing... Waiting. Anyhow seems it is not processing through GSS ICT.

Two week processing has not really been followed since before covid. Background check can take a long time depending on your citizenship and countries lived in.