Refugees & Protected Persons
Government Refugees (Rest of Canada) Processing Time
About 17,900 people waiting · IRCC data as of October 9, 2026
Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) are refugees referred by the UNHCR whose initial resettlement in Canada is supported by the federal government. Processing happens overseas before travel to Canada.
This page tracks IRCC's published processing time for government-assisted refugee files destined outside Quebec.
Processing Time History
| Date | Processing Time (months) |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | 14 |
| November 6, 2025 | 15 |
| December 9, 2025 | 15 |
| January 14, 2026 | 15 |
| February 12, 2026 | 14 |
| March 9, 2026 | 14 |
| April 7, 2026 | 14 |
| May 12, 2026 | 14 |
| June 8, 2026 | 14 |
| July 7, 2026 | 14 |
| August 10, 2026 | 14 |
| September 3, 2026 | 14 |
| October 9, 2026 | 14 |
People Ahead by Application Month
IRCC also publishes how many applications submitted in each month are still ahead of you in the Government Refugees (Rest of Canada) queue.
| Month | People Ahead |
|---|---|
| 2024/10 | 3100 |
| 2024/11 | 3300 |
| 2024/12 | 3500 |
| 2025/01 | 3700 |
| 2025/02 | 3800 |
| 2025/03 | 3900 |
| 2025/04 | 4200 |
| 2025/05 | 4700 |
| 2025/06 | 5100 |
| 2025/07 | 5500 |
| 2025/08 | 6000 |
| 2025/09 | 6800 |
| 2025/10 | 7600 |
| 2025/11 | 8100 |
| 2025/12 | 8800 |
| 2026/01 | 9000 |
| 2026/02 | 10100 |
| 2026/03 | 11100 |
| 2026/04 | 11900 |
| 2026/05 | 13100 |
| 2026/06 | 14400 |
| 2026/07 | 16000 |
| 2026/08 | 17000 |
| 2026/09 | 17900 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Government Refugees (Rest of Canada) take right now?
As of October 9, 2026, IRCC reports a processing time of about 14 months for Government Refugees (Rest of Canada) applications, with about 17,900 people waiting.
Who refers government-assisted refugees to Canada?
Primarily the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which identifies refugees in need of resettlement. Individuals cannot apply directly to be government-assisted refugees.
What support do GARs receive on arrival?
Up to one year of income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program plus help with housing, orientation, and essential services — after which most supports transition to provincial programs.