Latest IRCC Processing Times as of September 2024
As of September 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to provide updates on processing times for various immigration and visa applications.
Understanding these timelines is crucial for applicants to manage their expectations and plan their immigration journey effectively.
For those considering immigration, one of the most important factors is the processing time for Canadian immigration applications. It immediately affects when they can prepare to go to Canada and anticipate hearing back on their application.
The online processing times provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have been changed recently to better reflect current circumstances and offer more precise timelines as of September 2024.
Key IRCC Updates on Processing Times
IRCC has introduced significant enhancements to its online processing time estimates, providing applicants with more accurate timelines for their immigration applications. These updates cover a wide range of immigration categories, including Express Entry, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, and citizenship applications.
Starting in May 2024, IRCC began offering regular updates on processing times to give applicants a clearer understanding of how long it might take to process their immigration applications. Monthly updates are now provided for citizenship, family sponsorship, and economic immigration applications, allowing for more precise predictions of processing durations.
For business immigration, temporary residency applications, and permanent resident cards, IRCC has implemented weekly updates. These frequent updates ensure that applicants receive the most up-to-date information, helping them plan their next steps more effectively.
Below is an in-depth analysis of the latest processing timelines and their impact on various immigration categories.
Processing Times for PR Cards and Citizenship
- Citizenship (Updated Monthly):
- Citizenship Grant: 7 months (No change since July 31; reduced by 1 month since June 3).
- Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship): 3 months (No change since June 3).
- Renunciation of Citizenship: 16 months (Increased by 3 months since July 31).
- Search of Citizenship Records: 11 months (Reduced by 2 months since July 31).
- PR Cards (Updated Weekly):
- New PR Card: 25 days (Reduced by 3 days since August 20; reduced by 17 days since July 30).
- PR Card Renewals: 72 days (No change since July 30; reduced by 3 days since June 25).
Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
- Spouse or Common-law Partner:
- Outside Canada (excluding Quebec): 10 months (No change).
- Outside Canada (Quebec): 35 months (Increased by 3 months since July 3).
- Inside Canada (excluding Quebec): 13 months (Increased by 2 months since July 31).
- Inside Canada (Quebec): 27 months (Increased by 3 months since July 31).
- Parents or Grandparents:
- Outside Quebec: 24 months (No change).
- Quebec: 48 months (No change).
Economic Immigration Processing Times
- Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months (No change).
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months (No change).
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): No updates since March 1, 2023.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 6 months (No change).
- Non-Express Entry:
- Non-Express Entry PNP: 12 months (Increased by 1 month since July 31).
- Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months (No change).
- Quebec Business Class: 47 months (Increased by 1 month since July 31).
- Federal Self-Employed: 48 months (Increased by 1 month since July 31).
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 7 months (No change).
- Start-Up Visa: 40 months (Increased by 2 months since July 31).
Temporary Residency Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
- Visitor Visa Outside Canada (Varies by Country):
- India: 76 days (Increased by 6 days since August 27; increased by 13 days since August 20).
- Nigeria: 172 days (Reduced by 3 days since August 27; increased by 1 day since August 20).
- United States: 40 days (Increased by 5 days since August 20).
- Pakistan: 38 days (Reduced by 2 days since August 27; reduced by 9 days since August 20).
- Philippines: 25 days (Reduced by 1 day).
- Visitor Visa Inside Canada (TRV):
- Online: 26 days (Increased by 1 day since August 20).
- Visitor Visa Extension:
- Online: 109 days (Reduced by 6 days since August 27; reduced by 7 days since August 20).
- Parents or Grandparents Super Visa (Varies by Country):
- India: 71 days (Increased by 1 day since August 27; increased by 3 days since August 20).
- Nigeria: 69 days (Increased by 5 days since August 27; reduced by 42 days since August 20).
- United States: 237 days (Increased by 33 days since August 27).
- Pakistan: 144 days (Reduced by 5 days since August 27).
- Philippines: 108 days (No change since August 27; increased by 1 day since August 20).
- Study Permit Outside Canada (Varies by Country):
- India: 5 weeks (No change since August 27; increased by 1 week since July 24).
- Nigeria: 8 weeks (Increased by 1 week since August 27; increased by 2 weeks since August 20).
- United States: 12 weeks (No change since August 27; increased by 3 weeks since July 24).
- Pakistan: 9 weeks (Increased by 1 week since August 27).
- Philippines: 7 weeks (No change since August 27; reduced by 1 week since July 24).
- Study Permits:
- Inside Canada: 12 weeks (No change since August 27; increased by 1 week since August 14; increased by 2 weeks since July 24).
- Study Permit Extension: 89 days (Increased by 6 days since August 27; increased by 19 days since August 20).
- Work Permit Outside Canada (Varies by Country):
- India: 26 weeks (Increased by 4 weeks since August 27; increased by 6 weeks since August 20).
- Nigeria: 14 weeks (Reduced by 1 week since August 27; increased by 1 week since August 20).
- United States: 16 weeks (Increased by 1 week since August 27; no change since August 20).
- Pakistan: 9 weeks (Reduced by 1 week since August 27; no change since August 20).
- Philippines: 10 weeks (Increased by 2 weeks since August 27; increased by 3 weeks since August 14).
- Work Permit Inside Canada:
- Online: 119 days (No change since August 27; increased by 2 days since August 20).
- Other Temporary Residency Categories:
- International Experience Canada (Current Season): 5 weeks (No change since August 27; reduced by 1 week since August 20).
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP): 172 days (Increased by 36 days since August 27; increased by 50 days since August 20).
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes.
Key Factors Affecting Processing Time
Various factors can influence the time it takes to process an immigration application. A key factor is submitting a complete application with all necessary documents and information. Completing biometrics and medical exams promptly is also essential to avoid delays. The number of applications IRCC is handling, especially after significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic, can also affect processing times. Furthermore, more complex cases that require additional documentation or background checks may take longer to process.
Anyone planning to move to Canada should be aware of the processing times for different immigration streams. The latest processing times provided by IRCC give applicants a better understanding of current timelines, helping them manage their expectations and prepare for their new life in Canada. Staying informed and submitting a thorough application can contribute to a smoother immigration process.
