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 August 14 and 31st July.
The improvements are a reflection of the IRCC’s continuous efforts to make the immigration process easier and better for applicants.
Key IRCC Updates processing times
IRCC has made significant changes to its online processing times, which are designed to offer applicants a more precise estimate of how long their application will take from start to finish. This update includes various immigration streams, such as Express Entry, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, and citizenship applications.
In May 2024, the IRCC began offering regular updates on processing times to help applicants better understand how long their immigration applications might take. They now provide monthly updates for citizenship, family sponsorship, and economic immigration applications, giving a more accurate estimate of the time needed to process these cases.
For business immigration, temporary residency applications, and permanent resident cards, the IRCC has started offering weekly updates. These frequent updates are aimed at providing applicants with the most current information, enabling them to plan their next steps more effectively.
Here is a thorough examination of the most recent processing timelines and their implications for various immigration categories.
1. 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
- Details: Express Entry remains one of the most efficient pathways to permanent residence in Canada. The updated processing time reflects the time taken from submitting a complete application to receiving a final decision.
1.5 Non-Express Entry:
- Non-Express Entry PNP: 11 months, unchanged.
- Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months, no change
- Quebec Business Class: 46 months, unchanged
- Federal Self-Employed: 47 months, reduced by 3 months
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 7 months, no change
- Start-Up Visa: 38 months, reduced by 1 month
2. Family Sponsorship
- Outside Canada (outside Quebec): 10 months, unchanged
- Outside Canada (Quebec): 35 months, increases by 3 months since July 3
- Inside Canada (outside Quebec): 11 months, unchanged
- Inside Canada (Quebec): 24 months, reduced by 4 months since July 3
3. Parents or Grandparents:
- Outside Quebec: 24 months, unchanged
- Quebec: 48 months, no change
- Details: Family sponsorship is essential for reuniting families in Canada. IRCC Updates processing times vary depending on the relationship to the sponsor and whether the applicant is inside or outside Canada.
4. Study Permits
- Outside Canada: Approximately 10 weeks depending on the country (India now takes 5 weeks, an increase of 1 week since July 24; Nigeria takes 6 weeks, also up by 1 week; the United States now takes 12 weeks, an increase of 3 weeks; Pakistan’s processing time has decreased by 1 week to 8 weeks, and the Philippines has also seen a reduction of 1 week, bringing the processing time to 7 weeks.)
- Inside Canada: Approximately 11 weeks
- Study Permit Extension: 64 days, increased by 6 days s)ince July 24.
- Details: Processing times for study permits differ depending on whether the applicant is already in Canada or applying from abroad. These timelines are crucial for students planning to commence their studies at Canadian institutions.
5. Work Permits
- Outside Canada: Approximately 12 weeks ( India remains at 19 weeks, and Nigeria at 14 weeks, both unchanged since July 24; the United States has reduced to 16 weeks, down by 2 weeks; Pakistan has significantly decreased to 15 weeks, a reduction of 9 weeks; and the Philippines now takes 7 weeks, reduced by 2 weeks since July 24.)
- Inside Canada: Online113 days, increased by 4 days since July 24
- Details: Work permits are necessary for those wishing to work in Canada temporarily. The processing time varies depending on the type of work permit applied for.
6. Citizenship Applications
- Citizenship Grant: The processing time for a citizenship grant is now approximately 7 months, which has been reduced by 1 month since June 3.
- Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship): The processing time remains steady at 3 months, with no changes since June 3.
- Renunciation of Citizenship: The time required to renounce citizenship is currently 13 months, unchanged since June 3.
- A search of Citizenship Records: The processing time for a search of citizenship records also remains at 13 months, with no recent changes.
7. PR Cards (Updated Weekly):
- New PR Card: The processing time for a new Permanent Resident (PR) card is now 28 days. This represents a significant reduction of 14 days since July 30 and 48 days since June 25.
- PR Card Renewals: The time to renew a PR card is currently 72 days. While there has been no change since July 30, the processing time has decreased by 3 days since June 25.
8. Visit Visa
- India: 58 days, increase by 7 days since July 24
- Nigeria: 179 days, reduced by 5 days since July 24
- United States: 33 days, increase by 4 days since July 24
- Pakistan: 46 days, reduced by 1 day since July 24
- Philippines: 27 days, no change since July 24
8.5. Visitor Visa Inside Canada (TRV):
- Online: 24 days, reduced by 1 day since July 24
Factors Affecting the Processing times
Several factors can affect the processing time of an immigration application. One key factor is the completeness of the application; providing all necessary documents and information at the time of submission is crucial. Timely completion of biometrics and medical exams can also prevent delays. The volume of applications being processed by IRCC, especially following global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, can impact timelines as well. Additionally, the complexity of the case plays a role, with more complicated cases that require extra documentation or background checks potentially taking longer to process.
Anyone wishing to relocate to Canada must be aware of the length of time required for the various immigration streams’ processing. The most recent online processing times provided by the IRCC assist applicants better manage their expectations and get ready for their new life in Canada by reflecting current timelines. Maintaining current knowledge and making sure your application is thorough can help to ensure a seamless immigration procedure.
